NL2010446C2

NL2010446C2 - Food container.

Info

Publication number: NL2010446C2
Application number: NL2010446A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Bert Wildt; Paul Martijn Pabon; Helmich Maurits Willem Herpt; Wouter Wigman
Original assignee: Hema Bv
Priority date: 2013-03-14
Filing date: 2013-03-14
Publication date: 2014-09-16

Description

Food container

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to containers, in particular food containers such as boxes for pastries. The container comprises an assembly of a tray and a cover, which comprise parts for locking the tray and cover together. The tray and/or cover may be formed by folding a blank. The disclosure also relates to blanks for such containers and methods of manufacturing such containers.

BACKGROUND

An object of food containers is to provide an attractive presentation of the product, e.g. pies, and facilitate their intact transport and presentation. Containers for pastries that are not offered to customers pre-packaged, e.g. freshly made or sized on demand, should further take up little storage space and be easily formed to the desired shape on demand. Moreover, in particular for transporting heavy pies, the container should have adequate stability and rigidity. The container should close and stay closed reliably, but be easy to open on demand. The container should be low cost.

To meet such more or less conflicting demands, foldable cardboard food containers have been developed in the art, e.g. the well known folded integrated clamshell boxes, wherein one portion forms a bottom, one portion forms a lid that is hingedly attached to the bottom and further portions attached to the bottom and/or lid form side walls so that a box with a fully enclosed interior storage volume is formed. Such containers may be supplied to customers as pre-folded objects, that need further (un-)folding action to form the container ready for use.

A problem with such packaging is that the side walls generally are not very rigid and tend to interfere with arranging the object to be packaged into the storage volume, e.g. cream is scraped off a pie. Further, due to the walls lack stability and closing may be problematic, in particular for inexperienced persons. This may lead to further damage of the packaged objects .

Two-part food containers comprising a separate tray and cover are also known for packaging small size food products such as hamburgers or pizzas, e.g. see US 4,856,707, US 4,960,238, FR 2 716 671. Such containers tend to lack the integrity of an integral whole as in a clamshell package and therefore need to be of stronger material than clamshell packages, increasing weight and costs.

Consequently, improvements are desired.

SUMMARY

In view of the above-mentioned desire, herewith a container, method, blank and formed blank are provided as specified in the appended claims.

The container, in particular food container, comprises a first portion and a second portion closable with the first portion to define in a closed state of the container an interior volume between respective centre portions of the first and second portions. The first portion has a first centre portion and upstanding side walls, at least one first side wall, in particular opposite first side walls, having one or more latches on an inward side with respect to the centre portion, and thus with respect to the interior volume to be formed. The second portion has a second centre portion and upstanding side walls, at least one second side wall, in particular opposite second side walls, having a latching flap extending from a far end of the side wall with respect to the centre portion generally in a reversed direction with respect to the second side wall. Thus, the latching flap and the associated second side flap form a U-or V-shape in cross section or side view, so that the latching flap and the associated second side wall have facing sides. The latching flap comprises one or more latching structures and is arranged to be resiliently urged away from the second side wall. The first and second portions are configured such that in the closed state the second side wall and latching flap are arranged inward of the first side wall and the latching flap is resiliently urged outward and latches behind one or more of the latches of the first portion.

Thus, a closable container is provided wherein the first and second portions are locked together, in particular by snapping. This facilitates manufacturing and closing the container and packaging products. A latching or snapping lock is reliable and since the lock is arranged on an inside of the side wall with respect to the centre portions of the first and second portions, i.e. with respect to the interior volume and urging outward, the lock is protected from external forces. Thus accidental opening is prevented. It has been found that a single folded layer of cardboard of the sort commonly used in pastry packaging exhibits sufficient resiliency to provide a reliable latching action.

The first portion may be a tray and the second portion may be a cover, or the other way around. The centre portion of the first or second portion may form a basis for carrying a product and the centre portion of the second or first portion, respectively may then form a lid.

The term "upstanding" should not be interpreted as identifying a vertical direction, but merely that the respective portions that are upstanding with respect to each other extend in a non-zero angle (of the normals to the respective portions) to each other which may be in a range of about 60-150 degrees with respect to each other and they may be, preferably, generally perpendicular.

In an embodiment, the first side wall has an first upstanding length (LI) and the latching flap of the second side wall has a second upstanding length (L2) such that, in the closed state, at least part of the latching flap protrudes from the first side wall, in particular on an outside of the container. In particular, the first upstanding length (Ll) may be smaller than the second upstanding length (L2). This facilitates access to the latching portion to enable unlocking the first and second portions to open the container.

In an embodiment, the first portion comprises a foldable material and at least one of its side walls, in particular at least one of the first side walls, extends from and is attached to the centre portion by a fold. In particular at least part of the side wall and the centre portion is integral. Preferably the entire first portion is a unitary object, e.g. a single folded piece of sheet material. This facilitates manufacturing and reduction of costs.

Likewise, the second portion, may comprise a foldable material wherein at least one of its side walls, in particular at least one of the second side walls, extends, possibly integrally with at least part of the centre portion, from and is attached to the centre portion by a fold.

In an embodiment, the first portion comprises a foldable material and the latch is formed by a folded layer of material arranged on an inside of the first side wall. This facilitates manufacturing. The folded portion forming the latch may be reversed and inwardly folded portion of the first side wall. In a particular embodiment, the latch may be formed by an attachment flap of an adjacent side wall.

and is attached to the centre portion by a fold.

In an embodiment, the second portion comprises a foldable material and the second side wall comprises a main portion and the latching portion extends, preferably integral with at least part of the second side wall, from and is attached to the second side wall by a fold, preferably being integral with at least part of the main portion of the second side wall.

In an embodiment, the first and second side walls extend outward with respect to the respective centre portions. This facilitates closing the container by insertion of first an second portions into another, and if facilitates opening the container wherein the second portion is rotated within the first portion. It also facilitates unlocking the latch by granting access to, and inward freedom of motion of, the latching portion.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first and second portions comprises one or more recesses, elevations and/or embossments in its centre portion configured to engage and/or hold an object placed thereon and/or therein. This facilitates maintaining the object in place, also during transport. As a result, collisions between adjacent objects, e.g. pies of different types, are prevented. Previously in particular when products were sold that are on display without packaging, the products had to be packaged in an intermediate container, causing significant costs in time, manipulation effort and waste packaging material, or they were simply transported and stored without packaging which could lead to damage and/or "contamination" from collisions different (types of) products. A tray carrying a product and providing upstanding walls around it, even if only of little height compared to the carried product, can effectively serve as a bumper and protect the product. A suitably shaped and/or decorated tray may further improve presentation of the product.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first and second portions are of cardboard material. The first and second portions may be separate objects, the container being an assembly comprising the first portion and the second portion.

The container and a food product, in particular pastry and/or (pieces of) pie may be provided as an integrated assembly .

In line with the above, in an aspect a blank of a foldable material for forming a second portion of the container as described herein is provided. The blank comprises a centre portion section; side wall sections having a main portion connected to the centre portion section and a locking flap section connected to the main portion opposite the centre portion section; and opposite second side wall sections, each having a main portion connected to the centre portion section, preferably a latching flap section connected to the main portion opposite the centre portion section, and opposite attachment sections extending from the main portion, preferably the attachment sections comprising a fixation portion and a connection portion connecting the fixation portion to the main portion. The latching flap may also be provided as a separate object attached to a side wall to render that into the aforementioned second side wall. In a particular embodiment the blank comprises formed lines defining the respective sections with respect to each other, e.g. scored and/or partly cut lines which facilitate folding and/or cutting the blank to form the second portion.

In an embodiment of the blank, at least one of the locking flap sections comprises one or more laterally protruding tabs and in a joint between the main portion and the attachment section of an adjacent second side wall one or more aperture provisions is provided arranged such that, when the blank is folded to form the second portion, at least one of the tabs is receivable in the aperture provision. Thus, the locking flap may be locked easily and reliably. The aperture provision may be an aperture and/or a partly cut or punched line which configured to be cut or torn to provide the desired aperture for receiving one or more tabs .

In an aspect a formed blank is provided, i.e. a half-fabricate, for forming a second portion of the container as disclosed herein. The formed blank comprises an embodiment of the blank described herein, wherein opposite second side wall sections are folded inward and overlie the centre portion section and side wall sections, and wherein the attachment sections, in particular the fixation portion thereof, are attached to the overlain side wall section, and wherein preferably the latching flaps are folded outward, away from the centre portion section and from each other. Thus, an intermediate product is provided which is preformed to be further formed for providing the second portion. The formed blank may be stored flat and be deployed and further finished to the second portion for finishing the container when desired, but obviates the formation steps to realise the intermediate product from the blank itself. Forming the formed blank may be automated, whereas for forming the formed blank to the final second product only (low-skilled) hand-work may be required.

This facilitates storage, production and use of the container.

In an embodiment of the formed blank one or more locking flap sections are folded inward and overlie the associated side wall section, in particular also overlying the attachment sections, and more in particular the locking flap section is attached to the overlain side wall section adjacent, in particular between, the overlain attachment sections. Thus, the formed blank is further developed which may further its facilitate use, e.g. reducing room for errors and/or required time to form the second portion from the formed blank.

In an aspect, a method of forming a second portion of a container as disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises, pulling the latching flaps and the second side walls of the formed blank disclosed herein in opposite directions, and arranging the locking flap in between the pulled-apart second side flaps. The method may further comprise, in an according embodiment, inserting tabs of the locking flap(s) into aperture provisions. The method may comprise prior forming an embodiment of the formed blank disclosed herein.

In an aspect, a method of forming a container as disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises forming a first portion from a first blank having a centre portion section and opposing side wall sections having attachment flaps and opposing first side wall sections, by folding the side wall sections and the first side wall sections such that they upward from the centre portion section, and providing one or more latches on an inward side with respect to the centre portion, in particular by attaching the attachment flaps to the opposing first side wall sections on an interior side thereof with respect to the centre portion section and such that a separation exists between the centre portion section and an edge of the attached attachment flap for receiving part of the latching flap of the second portion. The method further comprises forming a second portion according to a method disclosed herein, and arranging the second portion against the first portion to provide a closed state of the container and define an interior volume between respective centre portions of the first and second portions. In the method, the second side walls and latching flaps are arranged inward of corresponding first side walls and the latching flaps are resiliently urged outward and latch behind one or more of the latches of the first portion. Thus, the first and second portions are locked together, in particular by snapping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-described aspects will hereafter be more explained with further details and benefits with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment of the invention by way of example. In particular:

Figs. 1-3 show a container;

Figs. 4-5 show details of the container;

Fig. 6 shows a blank for a first portion of the container;

Fig. 7 shows a blank for a second portion of the container;

Fig. 8 shows a formed blank for a second portion of the container;

Figs. 9-11 show forming the second portion of the container from the formed blank of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 shows another formed blank for a second portion of the container;

Figs. 13-14 show forming a second portion of the container from the formed blank of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a partial cross section view through a first and second side wall of the container similar to Figs. 1-3 with further optional features

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding the present invention may have been omitted. The terms "upward", "downward", "below", "above", and the like relate to the embodiments as oriented in the drawings, unless otherwise specified. Further, like elements are denoted by like numerals .

Figs. 1-3 show a container 1 comprising a first portion 100 and separate a second portion 200 in perspective and closed (Fig. 1) and open (Figs. 2, 3), respectively. The first portion 100 is formed as a shallow tray. The second portion 200 is formed as a high cover, corresponding in shape to the tray 100. However, the container 1 may be reversed providing a deep receptacle 200 and a shallow lid 100 falling over the receptacle. Aspect ratios of length, width and/or height/depth of the respective portions may be selected as deemed appropriate and need not be different, as long as the interaction of the respective structures for latching is enabled. However, for clarity and reference purposes only, in the following the names "tray" and "cover", respectively, will be used.

The tray 100 has a central portion 101 forming a bottom wall a generally elongated rectangular shape in top view, with pairs of upstanding side walls 103, 105 that extend outward with respect to the centre portion 101, to form an upward flaring trapezium shape (Figs. 1, 2).

The cover 200 has a central portion 201 forming a top wall a generally elongated rectangular shape in top view, and pairs of upstanding opposite side walls 203, 205 that extend outward with respect to the centre portion 201, to form a downward flaring trapezium shape (Figs. 1-2). The tray 100 and cover 200 are hollow (Fig. 3) and together define an interior volume for storing one or more products.

Best seen in Fig. 1, the flaring trapezium shapes of the side walls 103, 105, 203, 205 of the tray 100 and cover 200 enable that the side walls 203, 205 of the cover 200 are arranged inward of the corresponding side walls 103, 105 of the tray 100.

The side walls 105 and side walls 205 are embodiments of the first and second side walls, respectively, as referred to above. Visible in Figs. 2-3 are latch portions 107 of the tray 100, formed by attachment flaps of the side walls 103 fixed to the first side walls 105, see also below. In Fig. 1 the latches 107 are not really visible but indicated in dashed lines.

Visible in Figs. 1-3 are latching flaps 207 of the cover 200, which in closed state (Fig. 1) partly protrude from the (first) side walls 105 of the tray 100, here with a lip 201', and are readily accessible for touching, in the shown embodiment the protruding parts extend over only a small fraction of the length of the first and second side walls 107, 207 and the protruding parts are chosen to be arranged generally in the middle. In Fig. 1 the part of the latching flaps 207 that is not really visible is indicated in dashed lines.

The shown container 1 is folded from a sheet material, in particular cardboard, of a food-approved type. Other foldable sheet material, e.g. fibre board, polymeric materials, metallic sheets may equally be used. The material may be coated on an inside and/or outside.

In assembled and closed state (Fig. 1), the latching flaps 207 are urged outward, away from the remaining portion of the second walls 205 and the interior volume and against the first side walls 105 by the resiliency of the fold F205-207 (in this text, any fold lines will be identified with the letter F followed by the references of the adjoining sections or panels). The urging force may be determined by the resiliency of the fold F205-207, which in turn may be determined by the material properties, the length of the fold and/or whether the fold is treated, weakened (e.g. partly cut) and/or strengthened (e.g. partly provided with a layer of an additional material).

However, one or more resilient portions may be provided as well, e.g. springs, additional folded portions etc, urging the latching flap 207 away from the second wall 205 and/or towards the first side wall 105.

Best seen in Figs. 1 and 4, due to the urging force and appropriate, here: matching, shapes of at least parts of the latches 107 and latching flap 207, here: latching edges 107A and 207A, the tray 100 and cover 200 are interlocked (Fig. 1 -dashed lines; Fig. 4, top view into the fold F205-207). Due to the resiliency of the fold F205-207 the latches 107, 207 snap into engagement when inserting the cover 200 into the tray 100.

It has been found that a container of normal food-box quality cardboard (e.g. about 0.6 mm thick) with such interlocking latches can provide sufficient force to carry the weight of an average pie of 12 normal size helpings, e.g. 26 cm diameter, when held by the cover alone.

For releasing the tray 100 and cover 200, one or more of the latching flaps 207 may be pressed inward by hand H against the outward urging force as shown in Fig. 5, so that the latching structures (107A, 207A of) 107, 207 disengage. This is facilitated if the first and second side walls 105, 205 are arranged opposite each other, so that opposite latching flaps 207 may be conveniently pressed inward by a consumer by pressing both flaps 207 towards each other, e.g. by the tray 100 and cover 200 being generally symmetric (Fig. 3).

In the centre portion 101 of the tray 100, embossed markings 109 are provided, here two elevated circles to mark positions of two pieces of pastry. Other shapes and numbers of markings may be provided, e.g. ellipses, rectangles, squares and/or triangles, etc. which may also identify use options. Further markings identifying particular sizes and/or orientations of the container portions and/or products to be stored may be provided.

Fig. 6 shows a blank 110 for a first portion 100 as shown in Figs. 1-5. Here, the blank 110 comprises a centre portion section 111 and opposing side wall sections 113 opposing first side wall sections 115. The side wall sections 113 have attachment flaps 117. By folding the (first) side wall sections 113, 115 with respect to the centre portion section 111, the general shape of the tray 101 is formed, with the centre portion section 111 becoming the central portion 101 and the (first) side wall sections 113, 115 becoming the (first) side walls 103, 105, each being defined at least partly by respective folds F101-103, F101-105. To retain the shape of the tray, the attachment flaps 117 are folded inward and attached to the first side wall sections 113, so that first side walls 103 with latches 107 are formed (Figs. 1-3). The angle of each wall 103, 105 with respect to the central portion 101 may be chosen by the folding action and/or the attachment of the attachment flap 117. The attachment of attachment flaps 117 to the according first side wall sections 113 may be done in any suitable way, partly defined by the material of the blank 110 / tray 100: gluing, using double sided sticky tape, stapling, riveting, (ultrasonic) welding, etc. In principle, is also possible that the first side wall section 113 and/or the attachment flap 117 comprises a slit through which part of the other section (117, or 113 respectively) extends and interlocks, so that a fully folded structure without further attachment means (adhesives, staples, rivets, etc.) is provided

In a preferred embodiment, all folds Fx-y ("x" and "y" referring the associated formed elements) are indicated on the blank by formed lines, preferably by scored, creased and/or partly cut and/or punched folding lines FLx-y ("x" and "y" referring the associated sections to be folded) as indicated in Fig. 6.

Best seen in Fig. 6, the blank 110 is cut such that a separation S is formed between adjacent edges 107A, 115A of attachment flaps 117 and first side wall sections 115. This results in appropriate formation of the latching edge 107A with respect to the fold F101-105 by which the first side wall 105 and the centre portion 101 of the tray 101 are joint and defined (see Fig. 3 and folding line FL111-115 in Fig. 6).

In the embodiment of Fig. 6, the blank 110 is further provided with embossed markings 109 in the centre portion section 111.

Fig. 7 shows a blank 210 for the second portion 200 of Figs. 1-5. The blank 115 comprises a centre portion section 211 and opposing side wall sections 213 and opposing second side wall sections 215. The second side wall sections 215 have latching flaps 217.

The opposing side wall sections 213 each have a main portion 231 connected to the centre portion section 211 and a locking flap section 233 connected to the main portion 231 opposite the centre portion section 211. The locking flap sections 233 comprises opposite tabs 235 laterally protruding from the respective lateral side portions of the locking flap sections 233 inward with respect to the centre portion section 211.

The opposite second side wall sections 215 each have a main portion 251 connected to the centre portion section 211, a latching flap section 217 connected to the main portion 251 opposite the centre portion section 211, and opposite attachment sections 253 extending from the main portion 251 and comprising a fixation portion 255 and a connection portion 257 connecting the fixation portion 255 to the main portion 251. The blank 210 comprises formed lines defining the respective sections with respect to each other, in particular scored, creased and/or partly cut and/or punched folding lines FLx-y as indicated occasionally in Fig. 7. In the joints between the main portions 251 and (the connection portion 257 of) the attachment section 253 of an adjacent second side wall 215, here defined by folding lines FL251-257, apertures 259 are provided, here in the form of slots through the material.

Figs. 8 shows a step of forming a first embodiment of a formed blank 260 from the blank 210 of Fig. 7, and Figs. 9-11 show forming the formed blank 260 further into the cover 200 of Figs 1-5.

First, the opposite second side wall sections 215 are folded inward towards each other along the folding lines FL211-251, forming folds F211-251, so that they (215) overlie the centre portion section 211 and side wall sections 213. The latching flap sections 217 are optionally folded back over the main portions 251 of the second side wall sections 215, so that (the lips 207' of) the latching flap sections 217 point in opposite directions with respect to each other. Thus, the arrangement of Fig. 8 is provided.

Each of the fixation portions 255 are suitably attached to (the main portions 231 of) the side wall sections 213, e.g. glued or otherwise. However, the connection portions 257 and main portions 251 are left free from the respective overlain portions 211, 231.

For forming the cover 200, the second side wall sections 251 are moved away from each other, e.g. by pulling the latching flaps 207 out and away from each other (Fig. 9). Due to the attachment of the fixation portions 255 are suitably attached to (the main portions 231 of) the side wall sections 213, the attachment sections 253 collapse and fold, so that the fixation portions 255 and the connection portions 257 form U- or V-shaped folds F255-257 and the opposite side wall sections 213 are erected from the centre portion section 211. In Fig. 9 a box shape of the cover 200 may be discerned.

Next (Figs. 10-11) the locking flaps 233 are folded over the folding lines FL231-233 and into the volume V formed by the cover-to-be, and so that they 233 overlie (the connection portions 257 of) the sharply folded attachment sections 253. To lock the locking flaps 233, the tabs 253 are inserted into and through the apertures 259 (see also Fig. 1). The latching flaps 207 stick outwards. Thus, the cover 200 of Figs. 1-5 is formed (Fig. 11).

In an alternative embodiment, after the step of Fig. 8, and before the step of Fig. 9, the locking flaps 233 are folded over to overlie the main portions 231 and attached to the latter in between the attachment portions 253. In such form a further processed formed blank 270 is provided.

For forming the cover 200, again the second side wall sections 251 are folded outward, e.g. by pulling the latching flaps 207 outward (Fig. 13). The locking flaps 233 then are urged inward to assume the desired folded-over and -inward position (Fig. 14). After properly arranging the locking flaps 233 (tabs 235 into slots 259), a cover 200 is provided (Figs. 1-3 and 11.

To provide a proper urging force for latching, refer to Fig. 15. The first portion may comprise a base wall 101 and side walls 103, 105 connected to the base wall, at least one first side wall 105 being connected to the base wall 101 along a connection line 101-105, e.g. a fold F101-105 and extending from the connection line at a first nonzero angle a to the base wall for a first distance Dl, normal to the connection line, and having a latch portion 107 on an inward side of the first side wall 105 with respect to an interior volume V. The second portion comprising a top portion 201 and side walls 203, 205 connected to the top portion, at least one second side wall 205 extending from the top portion 201 at a nonzero angle to the top portion, and at least one first locking flap 207 being connected to the second side wall 205 along a connection line 205-207, e.g. fold F205-207, and extending from the connection line at an acute nonzero angle β to the base wall 101 for a second distance D2 being larger than Dl, wherein latching flap is urged outward so that the angle β is urged to be larger than angle a, were it not for the walls 101, 105. The volume V is then defined by an angle γ and the urging action may be derived from the fold F205-207 and/or a resilient portion 270 aiming to decrease the folding angle δ between the walls 205, 207.

The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiments which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims. For instance the first and/or second portions may comprise prints and/or other decorations, and/or be provided with a transparent section, e.g. a window. Further, some flaps and/or sections may be adhered together so that a multi-part blank, tray and/or cover is formed. The container may have a general box-like shape, but at least one of the first and second portions may have a dome-shape so that the first, second and/or other wall portions are joined by an at least partly curved structure.

A product stored in the container need not, but may be, provided on a separate tray, e.g. a cake carton or serving paper (e.g. cup cake base). The open volume may be selected to have any height. The opening between side walls 203 and attachment sections 257 seen in Fig . 1 may be closed by suitable measures, e.g. a piece of double sided sticky tape.

Typical suitable base shapes of the container are polygonal with an even number of sides, e.g. rectangular, square, hexagonal or octagonal, but an odd number of sides may also be used. An even number of sides facilitates interlocking portions 107, 207 a shown with the embodiments of the Figures on every second side.

It is noted that the box may be optically closed, if no window is provided to increase preservation value. The material may be liquid and/or grease repellent, and/or it may be refrigerator, freezer, oven and/or microwave-safe. It is possible to provide the container as a reusable object but preferably it is a disposable object for single use. Series of containers may be provided so that different sizes of containers may be assembled of first and second portions providing different volumes upon assembly. In a preferred embodiment of a rectangular container, the latches are arranged on relatively short sides.

Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise .

Claims

A container, in particular a food container, comprising a first part and a second part closable with the first part for defining, in a closed state of the container, an internal volume between respective middle parts of the first and second parts, wherein the first part has a first middle part and upright side walls, wherein at least one first side wall, preferably opposite first side walls, has one or more latches on an inward side with respect to the middle part, wherein the second part has a second middle part and upright side walls wherein at least one second side wall, preferably opposite second side walls, has a locking flap extending from a far side of the side wall relative to the center portion generally in an opposite direction to the second side wall, the locking flap comprises one or more locking structures and is arranged to be resilient to be driven away from the second side wall, the first and second parts being arranged such that in the closed state the second side wall and locking flap are arranged inward of the first side wall and the locking flap is resiliently driven outwards and behind one or more of the locking bolts of the first part.

The container of claim 1, wherein the first side wall has a first upright length (L1) and the locking flap of the second side wall has a second upright length (L2) such that, in the closed state, at least a portion of the locking flap protrudes from the first side wall, wherein in particular the first upright length (L1) is smaller than the second upright length (L2).

The container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first part comprises a foldable material and at least one of its side walls, in particular at least one of the first side walls, extends from and is attached to the middle part by a fold , preferably being integral with at least a portion of the middle portion.

The container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first part comprises a foldable material and the latch is formed by a folded layer of material arranged on an inner side of the first side wall, in particular a mounting lip of an adjacent side wall.

The container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second part comprises a foldable material and at least one of its side walls, in particular at least one of the second side walls, extends from and is attached to the middle part by a fold , preferably being integral with at least a portion of the middle portion.

The container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second part comprises a foldable material and the second side wall comprises a main part and the locking part, preferably integrally with at least a part of the second side wall, extends from and is connected to the second side wall with a fold, preferably being integral with at least a part of the main part of the second side wall.

The container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second side walls extend outwardly with respect to the respective middle parts.

The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first or second parts comprises one or more recesses, elevations and / or embossings in its central part adapted for engaging and / or holding a therein and / or thereon placed object.

The container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second parts are of cardboard material and / or wherein the first and second parts are separate objects.

The container according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a food product.

A blank of a foldable material for forming a second part of the container according to any of claims 5-10, comprising a middle section; side wall sections having a main part connected to the middle part section and a closing fall section connected to the main part opposite the middle part section; opposing second side wall sections, each having a main part connected to the middle part section, preferably a locking fall section connected to the main part opposite the middle part section, and opposing fastening sections extending from the main part, preferably the fastening sections having a fastening part and a connecting part that the connecting part connects to the main part; wherein preferably the blank comprises lines formed which define the respective sections with respect to each other.

12. Blank as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one of the closing failure sections comprises one or more laterally protruding lips and one or more opening provisions is provided in a connection between the middle part and the fastening section of an adjacent second side wall such that, when the blank is folded to form the second part, at least one of the lips can be received in the opening provision.

A shaped blank for forming a second part of the container according to any one of the preceding claims, including in particular the blank according to claim 11 or 12, wherein opposite second side wall sections are folded inwards and lie over the middle section and side wall sections, and wherein the attachment sections, in particular the attachment section thereof, are attached to the underlying side wall section, and wherein preferably the latch tabs are folded outwardly away from the middle section section and from each other.

Shaped blank as claimed in claim 13, wherein one or more closing fall sections are folded inwards and lie over the associated side wall section, in particular also lying over the fixing sections, and more particularly the closing fall section is attached to the underlying side wall section adjacent, in particular in between, the underlying confirmation sections.

A method of forming a second part of a container according to any of claims 1-10, comprising pulling the locking flaps and the second side walls of the formed blank according to any of claims 13-14 in opposite directions, and the closing flap can be arranged between the pulled-apart second side flaps, preferably inserting lips into opening provisions when using the blank according to claim 12.

A method according to claim 15, comprising the steps of forming a shaped blank according to claim 13 or 14.

A method of forming a container according to any of claims 1-10, comprising forming a first part of a first blank having a middle part section and opposing side wall parts with mounting flaps and opposing first side wall sections, by folding of the side wall sections and the first side wall sections such that they extend upwardly from the middle section, and provide one or more latches on an internal side with respect to the center section, in particular by attaching the mounting flaps to the opposite first side wall sections on an inward side thereof with respect to the middle part section and such that there is a separation between the middle part section and an edge of the attached mounting flap for receiving a part of the locking flap of the second part; forming a second part according to the method of claim 15 or 16; and arranging the second portion against the first portion to provide a closed state of the container and define an internal volume between respective center portions of the first and second portions; wherein the second side walls and latching flaps are arranged inwardly of corresponding first side walls and the latching flaps are resiliently driven outwardly and latches behind one or more of the latches of the first part.