NZ554408A - Food package with detachable flaps that hold receptacles for condiments or the like in a secure manner - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (10) with detachable flaps (43) for receiving a receptacle (13) is disclosed. The open ended container (10) has at least two flaps (43) attached to the perimeter of the opening (37). The flaps (47) are adapted to receive a receptacle (13) by way of an aperture (61). The aperture (61) is defined by the union of the ends of two arcs, one having a larger radius that the other. The receptacle (13) can be secured in the aperture (61) by lifting one portion of the flap (83) over the top of the receptacle (21).

Description

55 44 08 •10053452735* Patents Form No. 5.

Patents Act 1953 Convention Application for Patent: Complete Specification.

'FOOD AND CONDIMENT PACKAGE' I/We, FitChips Pty Ltd of 6 Mere View Way, Subiaco, WA 6008 Australia; a company registered in Australia, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pay that an invention may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be particularly described in and by the following statement: Food and Condiment Package Field of the Invention This invention relates to a package and also to a container and a receptacle each forming part of the package.

The package according to the invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, as a food and condiment package.

Background Art Food products such as chips, French fries, potato wedges and other finger-food items are often packaged at the point of sale in open-topped containers from 10 which the food products can be eaten by hand. Typically, the containers are constructed from paperboard or cardboard material.

With these food products, some consumers may wish to have an accompanying condiment (such as a sauce) into which the food products can be dipped prior to being consumed. In order to accommodate this need, there is a need to 15 incorporate a condiment receptacle into the packaging.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a package comprising a container having a body defining a chamber, the body having at least two flaps attached thereto, at least one of the flaps being selectively detachable from the 20 body, each flap being adapted to receive and support a receptacle.

Typically, the package comprises a food and condiment package in which a food product can be accommodated within the chamber and condiments intended as an accompaniment to the food product can be contained in the receptacles. Typically, the receptacles would contain different types of condiment. For example, the condiments may comprise sauces involving a selection from a group comprising tomato sauce, chilli sauce and sour cream.

Each flap which is selectively removable can be detached if not required. By way of example, if a particular customer requires fewer condiments than there are 5 flaps, the flaps not required to support condiment receptacles can be detached so as not to present an impediment to the customer while eating the food product contained within the package.

Preferably, the body defining the chamber has a side wall and an open top, with the flaps being attached to the side wall. More particularly, the side wall may have 10 a top edge and the flap may be attached to the top edge.

Preferably, the chamber is generally rectangular in which case the side wall is also generally rectangular, comprising four wall sections. In such an arrangement, there may be flaps attached to all, or at least two, of the side wall sections. In a preferred arrangement, there is likely to be flaps attached to three of 15 the four side wall sections; the fourth side wall section would not have a flap in order to offer free access to the container from its corresponding side.

Preferably, a detachable connection is provided between each detachable flap and the respective side wall to which it is attached.

The detachable connection between each flap and its respective side wall may be 20 provided by way of any appropriate means, such as for example a line of weakening or a perforated connection between the flap and the side wall.

Preferably each flap is connected to the body at a fold line, the detachable connection being provided at the fold line.

Preferably, each receptacle has a side wall, an open top and a peripheral lip on 25 the side wall adjacent the open top. Conveniently, the side wall is cylindrical and frusto-conical; that is, the cylindrical side wall tapers inwardly and downwardly away from the open top.

Preferably, each flap has an aperture to receive the receptacle, the flap being configured to provide a first portion at the periphery of the opening for engaging the side wall of the receptacle and a second portion at the periphery of the opening for engaging the perimeter of the top of the receptacle to thereby 5 securely retain the receptacle in the aperture.

Preferably, the first portion engages the peripheral lip of the receptacle on the underside thereof.

Preferably, the first and second portions are created by slit in the flap extending away form the aperture and terminating inwardly of the outer periphery of the flap, 10 the slit cooperating with the adjacent portion of the flap at the periphery of the aperture on one side thereof to define the upper portion and also cooperating with the adjacent portion of the flap at periphery of the aperture on the other side thereof to define the lower portion Preferably, there are two slits, with the second portion being disposed between 15 the slits. Preferably, the two slits are in alignment with each other on opposed sides of the aperture. They are also preferably parallel to the fold line providing the connection between the body and the respective flap.

Preferably, the two aligned slits create a hinge line within the flap, the hinge line dividing the flap into an outer section and an inner section, wherein the first 20 portion is incorporated in the inner section and the second portion is incorporated in the outer section.

Preferably, each aperture comprises two arcs of a circle which co-operated to define the periphery of the aperture, one arc being a major arc and the other a minor arc, the major arc having a radius slightly smaller than the external radius of 25 the receptacle adjacent the open end thereof. In this way, the receptacle can be received in the aperture and supported at its upper end by the periphery of the major arc.

The minor arc preferably has a radius of curvature smaller than that of the major arc.

Preferably, the major arc is incorporated in the inner section of the flap and the minor arc is incorporated in the outer section of the flap.

When each receptacle has contents therein, it preferably locates against the side wall of the body while being supported by the respective flap. In other words, the receptacle is suspended from the flap and rests sidewardly against the body of the container.

Preferably, the container has a collapsed condition and an erected condition, 10 wherein in the collapsed condition the container can assume a substantially flat condition for storage.

Preferably, the container is constructed from a blank, with the flaps, the apertures in the flaps and the slits extending from the apertures being formed in the blank during construction thereof.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a container having a body defining a chamber, the body having at least two flaps attached thereto, at least one of the flaps being selectively detachable from the body, each flap being adapted to receive and support a receptacle.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a receptacle for use 20 with a container according to the second aspect of the invention, the receptacle having a side wall, an open top and a peripheral lip on the side wall adjacent the open top.

The container according to the second aspect of the invention and receptacles according to the third aspect of the invention co-operate to define a package according to the first aspect of the invention.

« According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a package comprising a receptacle and a container, the receptacle having a side wall and an open top, the container having a body defining a chamber, the body having a flap attached thereto, the flap having an aperture to receive the receptacle, the 5 aperture in the flap being configured to provide a first portion at the periphery of the opening for engaging the side wall of the receptacle and a second portion at the periphery of the opening for engaging the perimeter of the open top of the receptacle to thereby securely retain the receptacle in the aperture.

Preferably, the receptacle also has a peripheral lip on the side wall adjacent the 10 open top, the first portion of the flap engaging the peripheral lip of the receptacle on the underside thereof.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a package comprising a receptacle and a container, the receptacle having a side wall and an open top, the container having a body defining a chamber, the body having a flap attached 15 thereto, the flap having an aperture to receive the receptacle, the flap having two slits therein extending form the aperture and terminating inwardly of the outer periphery of the flap.

Preferably the flap is connected to the body by a fold line and the two slits are parallel to the fold line.

Preferably, the aperture comprises two arcs of a circle, one arc being a major arc and the other a minor arc, the major arc having a radius slightly smaller than the external radius of the receptacle adjacent the open end thereof.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a container having a body defining a chamber, the body having a flap attached thereto, the flap having 25 an aperture to receive the receptacle, the flap having two slits therein extending form the aperture and terminating inwardly of the outer periphery of the flap, the two slits being in alignment with each other on opposed sides of the aperture Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of one specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a food and condiment package according to the embodiment; Figure 2 is a plan view of the package; Figure 3 is a side view of the package; and Figure 4 is a further side view of the package.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention The embodiment shown in the drawings is directed to a food and condiment package 10 for finger-food items such as chips, french fries and potato wedges. The package according to the embodiment has provision to accommodate up to three condiments as dips (such as tomato sauce, chilli sauce and sour cream) into 15 which the food products can be dipped prior to being eaten.

The package 10 comprises a container 11 and up to three condiment receptacles 13, only one of which is shown in the drawing.

Each condiment receptacle 13 comprises a side wall 15, a bottom wall 17, and an open top 19. The side wall 15 is generally cylindrical and tapers inwardly and 20 downwardly away from the open top 19. The side wall 13 also incorporates a peripheral lip 21 adjacent the open top 19.

The container 11 is constructed from a blank (not shown) of suitable sheet material such as, for example, paperboard or cardboard.

The assembled container 11 comprises a body 31 having a side wall 33 and a bottom wall 35 defining a chamber 36 for receiving the food products. The body 31 has an open top 37 above the chamber 36. The side wall 33 is rectangular and so has four wall sections 39 arranged in rectangular configuration. Each wall section 39 has a top edge 41 adjacent the open top 37.

The container 11 further comprises three flaps 43, each attached to one of three of the four side wall sections 39, as best seen in Figure 1. Each flap 43 is 5 attached to its respective side wall section 39 at the top edge 41 thereof by way of a hinge 45 defined by a flexible fold line 47 between the side wall section 39 and the flap 43. With this arrangement, the flap 43 is formed integrally with its respective side wall section 39 and is attached thereto at the fold line 47.

Each flap 43 is detachably connected to its respective side wall section 39 at the fold line 47. In this embodiment, the detachable connection 51 comprises perforations 53 provided along the fold line 47. With this arrangement, the flap 43 can be detached from the side wall section 39 by tearing it therefrom along the perforations 53.

Each flap 43 is configured to receive and support one of the receptacles 13. In 15 circumstances where a particular flap 43 is not required to support one of the receptacles, it can simply be torn from the container 11 along its respective fold line 47.

Each flap 43 incorporates an aperture 61 into which one of the receptacles 13 can be received an securely retained. Each aperture 61 is configured as a major arc 20 of a circle 63 and a minor arc of a circle 65 which merge together to provide a continuous periphery 66 for the aperture 61, with the minor arc having a smaller radius than the major arc. The major arc 63 has a radius slightly smaller than the external radius of the receptacle 13 adjacent the open top 19. More particularly, the major arc 63 has a radius corresponding to that potion of the side wall 15 of 25 the receptacle immediately below the peripheral lip 21. A slit 67 is provided at each of the two locations at which the major and minor arcs merge, each slit 67 extending away from the aperture and terminating inwardly of the outer periphery 68 of the flap 43. The two slits 67 are in alignment on opposed sides of the aperture and are substantially parallel to the foldline 47.

The two slits 67 have the effect of forming a hinge line within the flap 43 itself, the hinge line being aligned with the longitudinal extent of the two aligned slits . The hinge line divides the flap 43 into an inner flap section 71 and an outer flap section 73.

With this construction, the flap 43 is provided with a first (lower) portion 81 and a second (upper) portion 83 the periphery 66 of the aperture 61, as best seen in Figure 3. The second portion 83 extends between the two slits 67 along the extent of the minor arc 65.

When the receptacle 13 is inserted into each aperture 61, the periphery 66 of the 10 aperture locates against the side wall 15 of the receptacle on the underside of the lip 21. The outer section 73 of the flap 43 can then be turned upwardly about the internal hinge line defined by the slits 67 in order to locate the second (upper) portion 83 across the top of the receptacle, as best seen in Figure 1. With this arrangement, the receptacle 13 is supported on the underside of the peripheral lip 15 21 by the periphery of the aperture 61 corresponding to the major arc 63. Because the second (upper) portion 83 extends across the top of the receptacle 13, it locates the receptacle in the aperture 61 to prevent unintended withdrawal from the aperture and hence spillage of any contents within the receptacle.

In this way, the receptacle 13 is suspended from the respective flap 43. In being 20 suspended from the flap 43, the receptacle 13 can rest sidewardly against the adjacent side wall section 39 of the container 11, so as to be supported laterally.

The container 11 can be assembled from a collapsed condition (in which it can be stored) into an erected condition for use (as shown in the drawings). A vendor of food items using packages according to the embodiment can assemble the 25 containers 11 as required.

When a vendor takes an order from a food product, the vendor can offer up to three condiments with the food product. If a customer chooses three condiments, a receptacle 13 is inserted into each of the three flaps 43 and appropriate condiments put into the receptacles. In circumstances where a customer requires only two required condiments, one of the three flaps 43 can be detached and receptacles 13 for the two condiments introduced into the two remaining flaps. Similarly, where a customer orders one condiment only, two of the three flaps 43 can be detached and a receptacle 13 for the required condiment introduced into 5 the remaining flap. The advantage of detaching unnecessary flaps is that it avoids any inconvenience which might otherwise arise through the presence of unnecessary flaps attached to the container 11 when the customer is consuming the food products.

While the embodiment has been described in relation to a container 11 having 10 three flaps, other arrangements are of course possible. For example, the container may be provided with more than three flaps; for example, four flaps may be provided so that four condiments can be offered, if desired. Alternatively, a container may be provided with only two flaps, so offering the option of either one or two condiments.

In the embodiment described, the container is of generally rectangular configuration. Other configurations are, of course, possible. There are, however, advantages in a configuration which presents a substantially flat side wall as it facilitates an arrangement in which the flaps are attached by way of a fold line. This is, however, not essential. It may, for example, be possible to have a 20 container with a circular side wall and flaps projecting outwardly therefrom, each configured to receive one of the condiment receptacles. The flat side walls and associated fold lines for the flaps merely facilitates collapsing of the containers for storage.

Modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the 25 invention.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word -comprise"or variations such as -comprises"or -comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (22)

What is claimed is...

1. A container having a body defining a chamber, the body having at least two flaps attached thereto, at least one of the flaps being selectively detachable from the body, each flap being adapted to receive and support a receptacle.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the body defining the chamber has a side wall and an open top, the flaps being attached to the side wall.

3. A container according to claim 2 wherein the side wall has a top edge adjacent the side wall and the flap is attached to the top edge.

4. A container according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein each flap is foldably attached to the body.

5. A container according to claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein the side wall is generally rectangular, comprising four wall sections.

6. A container according to claim 5 wherein respective flaps are attached to two or more of the side wall sections.

7. A container according to claim 6 wherein flaps attached to three of the four side wall sections.

8. A container according to any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein a detachable connection is provided between each detachable flap and the respective side wall to which the flap is attached.

9. A container according to claim 8 wherein the detachable connection between each flap and its respective side wall comprises a line of weakening or a perforated connection.

10. A container according to claim 8 or 9 wherein each flap is foldably attached to the body at a fold line, the detachable connection being provided at the fold line.

11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each receptacle has a side wall, a top and a peripheral lip on the side wall adjacent the top. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 2 OCT 2008 RECEIVED - 12-

12. A container according to claim 11 wherein the side wall Is cylindrical.

13. A container according to claim 12 wherein the side wall is frusta-conical.

14. A container according to claim 11, 12 or 13 wherein each flap has an aperture to receive the receptacle, the aperture having a periphery comprising a first portion for engaging a side wall of the receptacle and at least one second portion for covering at least a portion of the top of the receptacle to thereby securely retain the receptacle in the aperture.

15. A container according to claim 14 wherein a hinge line defines the first and second portions of the periphery of the aperture.

16. A container according to claim 15 wherein the first portion comprises a first arc and the second portion comprises a second arc; the first arc and second arc having end portions; the ends of the first arc Joining the ends of the second arc defining the periphery of the aperture.

17. A container according to claim 16 wherein the hinge line is defined by a plurality of slits formed in the flap, the plurality of slits extending outwardly from the union of the ends of the first and second end arc to locations within the flap.

18. A container according to any of claims 16 and 17 wherein the radius of curvature of the first arc is greater than the radius of curvature of the second arc.

19. A container according to any of claims 15 to 18 wherein the hinge line is parallel to the fold line providing the connection between the body and the respective flap.

20. A container according to any of claims 15 to 19 wherein the container is constructed from a blank, with the flaps, the apertures and the hinge line in the flaps being formed in the blank during construction thereof.

21. A package comprising a container as described in any of claims 1 to 20, and at least one receptacle supported on the container. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. -2 OCT 2008 RECEIVED -13-

22. A package according to claim 21 wherein the receptacle has a peripheral lip for retaining the receptacle to the container. END OF CLAIMS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. -2 OCT 2008 RECEIVED