TW201700367A - Food receptacle - Google Patents

Abstract

A food receptacle including a tray adapted to hold food, a lid adapted to cover the tray, a locking mechanism adapted to lock the lid onto the tray, the locking mechanism having an engaging portion formed on the lid, a protrusion extending from the tray, the protrusion switchable between a locking configuration to engage the engaging portion on the lid and an unlocking configuration to disengage the protrusion from the engaging portion of the tray, and an actuating element connected to the protrusion, such that the actuating element is adapted to be actuated by the lid to actuate the protrusion into the locking position when the lid covers the tray.

Description

Food container

The present invention relates to food containers.

A food box can be used to hold food. Often, the food box can be used to package food for, for example, take-away from a food supplier or for dispensing. When the food is packaged and eaten from the box, the consumer may sometimes not eat the food and may wish to heat the food with the food box (eg, in a microwave oven) before later consumption. Therefore, the food box can be designed with an effective mechanism to fasten and loosen the lid of the food box to allow it to be repeatedly opened and closed.

Often, when the consumer opens and closes the food box more than once, the fastening mechanism of the food box can be easily damaged, especially by low cost such as paper, plastic (for example, expendable polystyrene (EPS)). A take-away food box made of materials. Therefore, such food containers are not designed to allow the food container to be reused/reclosed repeatedly and efficiently.

In addition, when the food box is used for mass distribution of food (sometimes to different locations), it is not uncommon for food boxes to be stacked on top of each other. Therefore, the food box at the bottom is often damaged and broken, causing the food therein to be squeezed and the liquid therein to leak. More seriously, due to pollution, food can become inedible.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to improve or solve the above problems, that is, to design an effective locking mechanism for easily fastening and loosening the lid of a food container without much wear and damage. Food container.

According to various embodiments, the present invention provides a food container comprising: a tray adapted to store food; a cover adapted to cover the tray; and a locking mechanism adapted to lock the lid to the tray, the locking mechanism having An engaging portion formed on the cover; a protrusion extending from the tray, the protrusion being switchable between a locking configuration for engaging the engaging portion on the cover and an unlocking configuration for separating the protrusion from the engaging portion of the tray; And an actuation element coupled to the protrusion such that the actuation element is adapted to be actuated by the cover to actuate the protrusion into the locked position when the cover covers the tray.

According to various embodiments, the actuation element is pivotally coupled to the tray.

According to various embodiments, the tray can include a perimeter perimeter wall surrounding the substrate along the perimeter of the substrate such that the actuation element extends from the tray wall portion of the perimeter wall of the tray toward the interior of the tray.

According to various embodiments, the protrusions may extend from the tray wall portion of the perimeter wall of the tray.

According to various embodiments, the actuation elements and protrusions can be adapted to rotate relative to the tray wall portion.

According to various embodiments, the actuating element and projection are rotatable about a top edge of the tray wall portion that opposes the bottom edge of the tray wall portion such that the tray wall portion can be coupled to the base along the bottom edge.

According to various embodiments, the tray wall portion can form an obtuse angle with the substrate.

According to various embodiments, the tray perimeter wall can further include having a first top a first side wall portion of the edge and a second side wall portion opposite the first side wall portion, the second side wall portion having a second top edge, such that the tray wall portion is disposed between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion and Connecting to the first sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion such that the first top edge, the second top edge, and the top edge of the other wall extend along the plane.

According to various embodiments, the cover may include a cover top having a perimeter such that the cover top may be adapted to cover the tray; surrounding the perimeter wall of the cover top along the perimeter, having a cover wall portion such that the engagement portion may be formed on the cover wall Partially.

According to various embodiments, the top edge of the tray wall portion can be adapted to contact the lid top of the lid when the lid covers the tray.

According to various embodiments, when the lid covers the tray, the top edge of the tray wall portion can contact a portion of the perimeter of the lid top such that the portion of the perimeter is between the lid top and the lid wall portion.

According to various embodiments, the cover wall portion can include a connecting edge that connects the cover wall portion to the top of the cover, and a front edge opposite the connecting edge such that the cover wall portion can form an obtuse angle with the top of the cover.

According to various embodiments, the cover wall portion partially overlaps the tray wall when the cover covers the tray.

According to various embodiments, the cover is pivotally coupled to the tray.

According to various embodiments, the tray peripheral wall may include a rear wall portion opposite the tray wall portion, the rear wall portion being coupled to the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion and coupled between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion, So that the top of the cover can be connected to the rear wall portion.

According to various embodiments, the protrusions can include tabs.

According to various embodiments, the engagement portion can include a slot.

The present invention has the benefit of allowing the lid of the food container to be reclosed to the tray without being easily damaged. Additionally, the food container allows another food container to be stacked thereon such that the food container can be stacked for dispensing without collapsing or breaking inward. Additionally, the design of the food container of the present invention provides the convenience of closing and locking the food container. In addition, the food container has the advantage of preventing contamination of the food therein during food handling or packaging, as the hand does not have to be in contact with the interior surface of the food container (i.e., the lid and tray) during closure of the food and closure of the food container.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a food container in an unlocked configuration.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the specific example of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the specific example of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the specific example of Figure 1.

Figure 5A shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in an unlocked configuration.

Figure 5B shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure 5A in a locked configuration.

Figure 6 shows an illustrative specific example of a specific example of the invention.

7A and 7B show close up views of the specific example in Fig. 5B.

Figure 8 shows another close up view of the specific example in Figure 7A.

Figure 9 shows another illustrative embodiment of a food container.

1 shows a perspective view of a food container 10 having a tray 100 adapted to store food, a lid 200 adapted to cover the tray 100, and a locking mechanism 300 adapted to lock the lid 200 to the tray 100. The locking mechanism 300 includes a connection formed on the cover 200 The portion 310 and the protrusion 320 extending from the tray 100. The protrusion 320 can be in a locked configuration (not shown in FIG. 1) for engaging the joint portion 310 on the cover 200 and an unlocking configuration for separating the protrusion 320 from the joint portion 310 of the tray 100 (as shown in FIG. 1). Switch between shows). The food container 10 includes an actuation element 330 coupled to the protrusion 320 such that the actuation element 330 is adapted to be actuated by the cover 200 to actuate the protrusion 320 into the locked position when the cover 200 covers the tray 100.

Referring to FIG. 1, the food container 10 can include a lid 200 and a tray 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the cover 200 is pivotally coupled to the tray 100. The tray 100 can include a protrusion 320 and the cover 200 can include an engagement portion 310 such that the protrusion 320 can be configured to when the food container 10 is closed (ie, when the lid 200 covers the tray 100, it may be at the protrusion 320 being locked In the case of the configuration, the joint portion 310 is engaged. The cover 200 can be separated from the tray 100.

Referring to FIG. 1, the tray 100 can include a substrate 110 having a perimeter and a tray perimeter wall 120 surrounding the substrate 110 along the perimeter of the substrate 110. The tray perimeter wall 120 can extend from the perimeter of the substrate 110. The tray perimeter wall 120 can extend in a direction away from the substrate 110. The tray perimeter wall 120 and base 110 can be adapted to contain food therein. The tray perimeter wall 120 can include a front wall portion 122, a rear wall portion 124 opposite the front wall portion 122, a first sidewall portion 126, and a second sidewall portion 128 opposite the first sidewall portion 126. Both the first side wall portion 126 and the second side wall portion 128 can extend from the front wall portion 122 to the rear wall portion 124. The front wall portion 122 and the rear wall portion 124 may extend in the same direction. The first side wall portion 126 and the second side wall portion 128 may extend in the same direction. Referring to FIG. 2, the tray perimeter wall 120 can form an obtuse angle A with the substrate 110. For example, front wall portion 122, rear wall portion 124, first sidewall portion 126, and/or second sidewall portion 128 can form an obtuse angle A with substrate 110. The angle A can be 97 degrees, 98 degrees, 99 degrees, and the like. Although the angle A shown in FIG. 2 may be an obtuse angle, the angle A may be an acute angle or a right angle. The tray perimeter wall 120 can be substantially It is perpendicular to the substrate 110 such that the front wall portion 122 forms a right angle with the substrate 110. The tray perimeter wall 120 can form an acute angle A with the substrate 110. The front wall portion 122 can be disposed between the first sidewall portion 126 and the second sidewall portion 128 and coupled to the first sidewall portion 126 and the second sidewall portion 128. Due to the wall portion (e.g., front wall portion 122) supported by two opposing wall portions (e.g., first side wall portion 126 and second side wall portion 128), the tray wall portion is structurally relatively rigid to withstand the tray wall Part of the higher load. The two abutment wall portions may be reinforced at a joint portion (not shown in FIG. 2) connecting the two adjacent wall portions (for example, the front wall portion 122 and the first side wall portion 126) to improve the structure between the adjacent wall portions. strength. For example, the cover 200 can include a reinforcement layer attached to the two adjacent wall portions at the connection portion. As will be shown later, the more rigid and stiffer wall portions will be beneficial for supporting higher loads and providing a stronger engagement between the protrusions 320 and the engagement portion 310 (as shown in Figure 1).

Although the specific example in FIG. 1 shows that all of the wall portions form an obtuse angle A with the substrate 110, it is possible that at least one of the front wall portion 122, the rear wall portion 124, the first side wall portion 126, or the second side wall portion 128 can be associated with the substrate. 110 forms an obtuse angle A, while the remaining wall portions may form a non-obtuse angle A with the substrate 110. The wall portion can be a panel, such as a rectangular panel. The substrate 110 can be one of a rectangle, a square, an octagon, a trapezoid or a triangle. The number of wall portions formed on the tray 100 will depend on the shape of the substrate 110 accordingly.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the tray 100. Referring to FIG. 2, the tray perimeter wall 120 can include a rim 121. The rim 121 can be formed by the top edge of each of the tray wall portions (i.e., the front wall portion 122, the rear wall portion 124, the first sidewall portion 126, and the second sidewall portion 128). Each of the tray wall portions can include a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge. The top edge of each of the tray wall portions may be parallel to the bottom edge of the respective wall portion. Each of the tray wall portions can be joined to the substrate 110 along respective bottom edges. For example, referring to FIG. 1, front wall portion 122 can include a top edge 122T and a bottom edge 122B, with top edge 122T opposing bottom edge 122B. The front wall portion 122 can be coupled to the substrate 110 along the bottom edge 122B. Therefore, the top edge of each of the wall portions will be referred to by the reference number of the relevant wall portion followed by the T for the top edge or the B for the bottom edge. Since the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 shows that the cover 200 is attached to the rear wall portion 124, the rear wall portion 124 shown in FIG. 1 may not include a top edge. The top edges 122T, 126T, 128T of the tray wall portion may be continuous such that the top edge forms a rim 121 or may be discontinuous, as shown in FIG. Although non-continuous, when the cover 200 covers the cover 100, the top edges 122T, 126T, 128T can extend along the plane and contact the cover 200 (eg, the cover top 210). Although not shown in FIG. 1, the top edges 122T, 126T, 128T of the front wall portion 122, the first wall portion 126, and the second side wall portion 128 may not extend along the same plane, that is, the front wall portion 122, the first side wall Portion 126 and second sidewall portion 128 may not have the same height. For example, the front wall portion 122 can be higher than the first side wall portion 126 and the second side wall portion 128 such that the distance between the top edge 122T of the front wall portion 122 and the bottom edge 122B is longer than the top edges 126T, 128T and the bottom, respectively. The distance between the edges 126B, 128B. The first sidewall portion 126 and the second sidewall portion 128 can have the same height such that the height of the top edges 126T, 128T is the same distance from the substrate 110. It can be appreciated that by having the front wall portion 122 at the same height as the two adjacent wall portions (i.e., the first side wall portion 126 and the second side wall portion 128), wherein the top edges 122T, 126T, 128T are along the same plane, the front The wall portion 122 can be relatively rigid and can withstand higher loads when the front wall portion 122 is higher than both the first side wall portion 126 and the second side wall portion 128, that is, if a load is applied to the front wall portion 122. The front wall portion 122 is foldable. The continuous edge 121 prevents the top 210 and the tray 100 from being The gap, which may be beneficial to prevent heat loss, to keep or cool the food in the food container and prevent insects from crawling into the food container. It is possible that the front wall portion 122 is higher or lower than the rear wall portion 124 such that the first side wall portion 126 and the second side wall portion 128 can be inclined relative to the base 110, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the actuation element 330 is pivotally coupled to the tray 100 . Actuating element 330 can extend from the tray wall portion toward within tray 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the actuating element 330 can extend laterally from the front wall portion 122 toward the rear wall portion 124 and toward the center of the tray 100. In this manner, the actuation element 330 extends toward the interior of the tray 100. Referring to FIG. 1, the actuating member 330 can extend longitudinally from around the first sidewall portion 126 to around the second sidewall portion 128 along the front wall portion 122. The actuation element 330 can have a distal edge 330D and a proximal edge 330P opposite the distal edge 330D such that the drive element 330 can be coupled to the front wall portion 122 along the proximal edge 330P. As shown in FIG. 1, the proximal edge 330P of the actuation element 330 can coincide with the top edge 122T of the front wall portion 122. Actuating element 330 can have flat features, such as a panel. The actuating element 330 is rotatable about a longitudinal axis 331 that coincides with the connecting edge 330P and/or the top edge 122T of the front wall portion 122.

The protrusion 320 can extend from a wall portion of the tray peripheral wall 120. As shown in FIG. 1, the protrusions 320 can extend from the front wall portion 122 of the tray 110. Actuating element 330 can extend from the tray wall portion of tray peripheral wall 120. The protrusion 320 can include a connection edge 320C and a joint edge 320E opposite the connection edge 320C. The protrusion 320 can be coupled to the front wall portion 122 along the connecting edge 320C. The protrusion 320 may extend in a direction parallel to the front wall portion 122. The protrusion 320 can be rigidly coupled to the actuation element 330. The protrusion 320 can extend parallel to the actuating element 330. The protrusion 320 may have a width, that is, a distance between the connecting edge 320C and the engaging edge 320E, which is shorter than the actuating element The width of the piece 330, that is, the distance between the distal edge 330D and the proximal edge 330P. Actuating element 330 can have a width that is wider than the width of protrusion 320. The width of the actuating element 330 can be at least twice the width of the protrusion 320. Actuating element 330 can have a length, that is, a length of actuating element 330 in the longitudinal direction that is longer than the length of protrusion 320. The length of the actuating element 330 can be at least twice the length of the protrusion 320, wherein the length of the protrusion 320 is the length in its longitudinal direction. The protrusion 320 can be a tongue. The protrusion 320 can include at least one bump, or any protruding element that is adapted to engage the engagement portion 310. The protrusions 320 can have flat features, such as a flat plate. As shown in FIG. 1, the attachment edge 320C of the protrusion 320 can coincide with the top edge 122T of the front wall portion 122. Referring to FIG. 1, the attachment edge 320C, the proximal edge 330P, and the top edge 122T can coincide along the longitudinal axis 331. The tray wall portion can be any of the wall portions, such as front wall portion 122, rear wall portion 124, first side wall portion 126, and second side wall portion 128.

Referring to FIG. 2, the actuating element 330 and the protrusion 320 can be adapted to rotate relative to the tray wall portion (eg, the front wall portion 122). Actuating element 330 and protrusion 320 are rotatable about a top edge (eg, 122T) of the tray wall portion (eg, front wall portion 122) that opposes the bottom edge of the tray wall portion (eg, 122B) such that the tray wall A portion is attached to the substrate 110 along the bottom edge. As shown in FIG. 2, the actuating element 330 is rotatable about a longitudinal axis 331 or a top edge 122T of the front wall portion 122. The protrusion 320 can be adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis 331. In FIG. 2, the rotational position of the actuating member 330 and the projection 320 can be illustrated by a dashed version of the actuating member 330. As shown in FIG. 2, the actuation portion 330 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis 331 in a clockwise direction, which may be in a counterclockwise direction when viewed in the opposite direction of the food container 10. Similarly, when the actuation portion 330 is rotated in the same direction, the protrusions 320 are rotatable about the longitudinal axis 331 in a clockwise direction. As shown, the actuating element 330 and the protrusion 320 can be in the same side Rotate up.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the food container 10. As shown, the tray perimeter wall 120 can form an angle A with the substrate 110. As shown in Figure 3, the angle A can be an obtuse angle. The tray perimeter wall 120 can form an acute angle or can be substantially perpendicular to the substrate 110.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cover 200 can include a cover top 210 having a perimeter. The roof 210 can be adapted to cover the tray 100. For example, the lid 210 can be a portion of the lid 200 that extends across the area formed by the rim 121 of the tray, i.e., the lid 210 at least completely covers the tray. The cover 200 can include a cover peripheral wall 220 that surrounds the cover top 210 along the perimeter of the cover top 210. The cover peripheral wall 220 may have a cover wall portion (for example, the front cover wall portion 222) such that the engagement portion 310 may be formed on the cover wall portion. The cover perimeter wall 220 can extend from the perimeter of the cover top 210. The cover perimeter wall 220 can extend in a direction away from the cover top 210.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cover perimeter wall 220 can include a front cover wall portion 222, a first side cover wall portion 226 and a second side cover wall portion 228 that extend from the front cover wall portion 222 across the cover top 210. The cover wall portion may be at least one of the front cover wall portion 222, the first side cover wall portion 226, or the second side cover wall portion 228 of the cover peripheral wall 220. The first side cover wall portion 226 can be parallel to the second side cover wall portion 228. The front cover wall portion 222 can extend from the first side cover wall portion 226 to the second side cover wall portion 228. Referring to FIG. 2, the cover perimeter wall 220 can form an angle B with the cover top 210. Angle B can be an obtuse angle. For example, the front cover wall portion 222, the first side cover wall portion 226 (not shown in FIG. 2), and/or the second side cover wall portion 228 can form an obtuse angle B with the cover top 210. The angle B can be an acute angle or a right angle. The cover perimeter wall 220 can be generally perpendicular to the cover top 210 such that the front cover wall portion 222 forms a right angle with the cover top 210. The cover wall 220 can form an acute angle B with the cover top 210. The front cover wall portion 222 can be disposed between the first side cover wall portion 226 and the second side cover wall portion 228 and connected to the first side cover wall portion 226 and the second side cover Wall portion 228. Although the specific example shows that all of the cover wall portions form an obtuse angle B with the cover top 210, it is possible that at least one of the front cover wall portion 222, the first side cover wall portion 226, or the second side cover wall portion 228 can be associated with the cover top 210. Form an acute angle or a right angle B. The cover wall portion can have flat features such as a flat panel.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the food container 10 with the lid 200 in a "to be closed" configuration. Referring to FIG. 4, the cover wall portion (eg, the front cover wall portion 222) may include a connection edge (eg, 222C) that connects the cover wall portion to the cover top 210, and a front edge 222L opposite the connection edge 222C, such that the cover wall portion is An obtuse angle B is formed with the lid top 210. When the cover 200 covers the tray 100, the front edge 222L can be disposed adjacent to the tray wall portion of the tray 100 (eg, the front wall portion 122), that is, when the cover 200 covers the tray 100, the cover wall portion can partially overlap the tray wall portion. As shown in FIG. 4, the front cover wall portion 222 can include a front edge 222C that connects the front cover wall portion 222 to the cover top 210 and a front edge 222L that is opposite the attachment edge 222C. As shown in FIG. 4, the front edge wall portion 222 front edge 222L may extend from the top edge 124T of the rear wall portion 124 or the rear wall portion 124 beyond the top edge 122T of the front wall portion 122 when viewed from a side view of the food container 10. . As shown in Figure 4, the angle B between the front cover wall portion 222 and the cover top 210 can be an obtuse angle. In this manner, when the cover 200 is brought toward the tray 100 to cover the tray 100, the front cover wall portion 222 will not collide with the front wall portion 122 of the tray 100. When the cover 200 covers the tray 100, the front cover wall portion 222 can abut the front wall portion 122 of the tray 100. Thus, the leading edge 222L can abut the front wall portion 122 of the tray 100. Additionally, as shown, the leading edge 222L can be disposed between the top edge 122T and the bottom edge 122B of the front wall portion 122 (ie, the wall portion of the tray perimeter wall 120).

Referring to FIG. 3, the joint portion 310 may be formed on the cover wall portion 222 before the cover 200. The engagement portion 310 can extend in a direction from the first side cover wall portion 226 (not shown in FIG. 4) to the second side cover wall portion 228. The joint portion 310 can extend along the joint edge 222C. Joint The sub-section 310 can be configured to engage the protrusions 320 to maintain the cover 200 in a locked configuration. The joint portion 310 may have a shape corresponding to the protrusion 320. The engagement portion 310 can include a slot such that the protrusion 320 can extend into the slot when the protrusion 320 is in the locked configuration. The engagement portion 310 can include a groove, a detent, or any engagement element that is adapted to engage the protrusion 320. The engagement portion can be a keyhole that is adapted to receive the protrusion 320.

Figure 5A shows a cross-sectional view of the food container 10 spanning line X-X of Figure 3. As shown in FIG. 5A, the food container 10 is in an unlocked configuration in which the lid 200 does not cover the tray 100, i.e., the protrusion 320 does not engage the joint portion 310. The cover 200 is shown in phantom to distinguish the cover 200 from the tray 100 and to show the position of the engagement portion 310 and the actuation member 330 in the locked configuration and the unlock configuration, respectively. Figure 5B shows a cross-sectional view of the food container 10 of Figure 5A in a locked configuration with the cover 200 covering the tray 100, and wherein the protrusions 320 are in a locked configuration. Referring to FIG. 5B, in the locked configuration, when the cover covers the tray 100, the top edge of the tray wall portion (eg, front wall portion 122) can be adapted to contact the lid top 210 of the lid 200. In the locked configuration, the protrusion 320 can be substantially parallel to the base 110 of the tray 100, and when the top 210 forces the actuation element 330 into the locked configuration, the actuation element 330 can be in contact with the cover 210 and can generally Parallel to the cap top 210 and/or the substrate 110. When the cover 200 covers the tray 100, the lid top 210 can completely contact the rim 121 of the tray perimeter wall 120. As shown in FIG. 5B, the front wall portion 122, the rear wall portion 124, the first side wall portion 126 (not shown in FIG. 5B), and the second side portion 128 can contact the roof 210 to support when the cover 200 covers the tray 100. Cover 200. As can be appreciated, the cover 200 can have minimal slack and be able to retain its original position as much as possible and maintain a taut configuration. In particular, the top edge 122T of the front wall portion 122, the top edge 124T of the rear wall portion 124, the top edge 126T of the first sidewall portion 126 (not shown in Figure 5B) (not shown in Figure 5B), and the second side The top edge 128T of the wall portion 128 can contact the lid top 210. When the lid top 210 rests on the tray wall portions 122, 124, 126, 128 and is supported by the tray wall portions, the food container 10 will be able to support the load (eg, another food container when stacked thereon) Not easy to collapse.

Referring to FIG. 5A, in the unlocked configuration, the cover top 210 may not contact the actuation element 330. In particular, the cap 210 may not contact the distal edge 330D of the actuation element 330. Accordingly, the engagement portion 310 can be unactuated to engage the engagement portion 320. As the cover 200 is adapted to cover the tray 100, the lid top 210 approaches and eventually contacts the distal edge 330D of the actuation element 330. As cover 200 is further lowered to cover tray 100, cover top 210 forces actuation element 330 to rotate (based on the clockwise direction of Figure 5A). Thus, the protrusion 320 can be actuated to rotate correspondingly (based on the clockwise direction of Figure 5A). Finally, when the cover 200 covers the tray 100, that is, when the lid top 210 contacts at least the front wall portion 122, the actuation member 330 can actuate the protrusion 320 to engage the engagement portion 310. Referring to FIG. 5B, the actuation element 330 can be rotated into a direction corresponding to the direction of the cap 210 and the protrusion 320 can be rotated into the locked position and protruded through the engagement portion 310, wherein the engagement portion 310 engages the protrusion 320. When the food container is closed, the gap between the cover 200 and the rim 121 of the tray 200 can be minimized such that the protrusion 320 can remain engaged to the engagement portion 310. Since the actuating member 330 is held in the same position, the protrusion 320 can remain in the locked position until the cover 200 is raised from the tray 100, thereby enabling the protrusion 320 to be separated from the engaging portion 310. To open the food container, the front wall portion 122 can be pressed inwardly to separate the protrusion 320 from the engagement portion 310. When the cover 200 is raised from the tray 100, it is foreseen that the engaging portion 310 can actuate the protrusion 320 to be displaced from the engaging portion 310, for example, actuating the protrusion 320 to further rotate in a clockwise direction (based on FIG. 5) The joint portion 310 is slid out. Thus, the actuating element 330 can be actuated to rotate in the same direction (ie, clockwise).

As can be seen in Figure 5B, the top edge of the tray wall portion can be embedded or abutted against the corresponding attachment edge of the cover wall portion. For example, the top edge 122T of the front wall portion 122 can be embedded against the attachment edge 222C of the front cover wall portion 222. Similarly, the top edges 126T, 128T of the first sidewall portion 126 and the second sidewall portion 128T can be embedded against the attachment edges 226C, 228C, respectively. In this way, the individual tray wall portions can be held in place and prevented from rotating outward, especially when under load L.

As shown in the specific example of FIGS. 1-4, the cover 200 is pivotally coupled to the tray 100. The tray perimeter wall 120 can include a rear wall portion (eg, rear wall portion 124) opposite the tray wall portion (eg, front wall portion 122), wherein the rear wall portion 124 can be coupled to the first sidewall portion 126 and the second sidewall portion 128 And connected between the first side wall portion 126 and the second side wall portion 128 such that the cover top 210 is coupled to the rear wall portion 124.

Referring to FIG. 5B, in a specific example in which the food container 10 is in a locked configuration, the tray 100 can be attached to the rear wall portion 124 of the lid 200 on the back side of the food container 10. On the front side of the food container 10 opposite the rear side, the front wall portion 122 is engageable with the attachment edge 222C, and the lid top 210 and the front cover wall portion 222 meet at the attachment edge 222C to prevent the front wall portion 122 from rotating outwardly. That is, the angle A becomes larger.

FIG. 6 shows another illustrative embodiment of a food container 20. Similar features in the illustrative embodiments of either FIG. 6 and FIG. 1 through FIG. 4 will have the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 6, the cover 200 can be separated from the tray 100. The tray 100 can include at least two locking mechanisms 300. Referring to FIG. 6, the tray 100 can have a first protrusion 320F and a first actuation element 330F pivotally coupled to the front wall portion 122 and a second protrusion 320S and a second actuation element 330S pivotally coupled to the rear wall portion 124. It is necessary that the first protrusion 320F and the second protrusion 320S are disposed to Oppose each other (as shown in FIG. 6) to properly and securely lock the cover 200 to the tray 100. In addition, the reverse configuration provides a reverse force in the outward direction to keep the cover 200 engaged to the tray 100. Similarly, the protrusion and actuation elements can be present in the first sidewall portion 126 (not shown in FIG. 6) and the second sidewall portion 128, and the first side cover wall portion 226 (not shown in FIG. 6) and the second side The cover wall portion 228 can include corresponding engagement portions to engage the respective protrusions.

7A and 7B show the force diagrams of the front side and the back side of the food container 10, respectively. Referring to FIG. 7A, when a load (eg, at least one food container) is placed on the food container 10, the food container 10 will experience a force L to the lid 200 of the food container 10. When the cover 200 covers and contacts the tray 100, at least one of the tray wall portions (eg, the front wall portion 122) can be subjected to a downward vertical force FV, such as along the top edge 122T of the front wall portion 122. When the front wall portion 122 is inclined from the base 110 at an obtuse angle A, the front wall portion 122 can be rotated outward (from the center of the tray). However, when the top edge 122T of the current wall portion 122 engages the front cover wall portion 222 along the attachment edge 222C, the front cover wall portion 222 applies a horizontally inward force FH onto the front wall portion 122, thereby limiting the front wall portion 122 to the load. L rotates down. Additionally, when the front wall portion 122 is supported by the first wall portion 126 (not shown in Figure 7A) and the second side wall portion 128, the first wall portion 122 will be more structurally constructed than when it is unsupported or semi-supported. Sturdy to support the load L.

Similarly, as shown in Figure 7B, the back wall portion 124 can withstand a vertical force FV due to the load L to the food container 10. When the rear wall portion 124 is coupled to the cover top 210 of the cover 200, the rear wall portion 124 can be restricted to rotate outward by the horizontal force FH of the cover top 210. Referring to Figure 6, the rear wall portion 124 can be restrained by the cover peripheral wall 220, similar to the front wall portion 122 previously mentioned.

The same understanding can be applied correspondingly to the first side wall portion 126 and the second The sidewall portion 128, wherein the first sidewall portion 126 and the second sidewall portion 128 are constrained by corresponding cover wall portions 226, 228. Specific examples of the contact of the cap 210 with the four wall portions 122, 124, 126, 128 may be by a first side cover wall portion 226 (not shown in FIG. 7A or 7B) and a second side cover wall portion 228, respectively. The first side wall portion 126 and the second side wall portion 128 are restricted from rotating outward. As mentioned above, preferably at least one of the opposite wall portions of the tray 100 (eg, the front wall portion 122 and the rear wall portion 124, and/or the first side wall portion 126 and the second side wall portion 128) The person supports the roof 210.

When the cover 200 covers and contacts the tray 100, the lid top 210 can contact at least a portion of the tray perimeter wall 120, such as the tray wall portion. Although not shown, the cover 210 can only be in contact with the front wall portion 122 and the rear wall portion 124.

As shown in the specific example, when the tray wall portions 122, 124, 126, 128 are inclined at an obtuse angle A with the base 110 of the tray 100, the tray wall portions provide structural rigidity that prevents the associated wall portions from flexing under load. In addition, opposing outwardly inclined wall portions (eg, first side wall portion 126 and second side wall portion 128) and respective cover wall portions (eg, first side cover wall portion 226 and second side cover wall portion 228) The structural strength of the roof 210 is modified and helps prevent the roof 210 from sinking into the tray 100 when a load is applied to the lid 200 of the food container 10.

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the locking mechanism 300. As shown in FIG. 8, when the food container is received by the load L on its cover 200, the tray wall portion (eg, the front wall portion 122) is forced to rotate outward toward the cover wall portion (eg, the front cover wall portion 222). . Therefore, it can be understood that as the load L becomes heavier, the force applied to the front cover wall portion 222 by the front wall portion 122 can be increased. Accordingly, it can be appreciated that the protrusion 320 can be better secured into the engagement portion 310 and prevent the protrusion 320 from being displaced from the engagement portion 310. Therefore, the locking mechanism 300 better secures the cover 200 to the tray 100 and The food containers 10 are prevented from opening at a reasonable load (eg, when the food containers are stacked onto each other). In fact, the food container 10 as designed allows the food containers to be stacked onto each other without the lid 200 collapsing into the tray 100 and the tray wall portion or the lid wall portion does not flex under the load L, thereby squeezing the contents thereof Things.

FIG. 9 shows another illustrative embodiment of a food container 30. Referring to Figure 1, the roof 210 can be a planar feature. The canopy 210 can be a non-planar feature, such as a stepped feature, a wave feature, a zigzag feature. Referring to FIG. 8, the cover 210 can include at least one platform 212 and at least one step 214. The roof 210 can include a multi-step profile. As shown in FIG. 9, although the roof 210 may not be a flat feature (eg, a stepped top), the perimeter cap 216 surrounding the non-flat features may be in contact with the tip end of the tray perimeter wall 120 of the tray 100. The perimeter cap 216 can be in a plane. Thus, it can be appreciated that the tray perimeter wall 120 or portions thereof (e.g., at least the front wall portion 122, the rear wall portion 124, and the first sidewall portion 126 (not shown in Figure 9) and the second sidewall portion 128) can support the cover The perimeter top 216 of the 200, the roof 210 can include any features.

For any of the above specific examples, each wall portion can include at least one locking mechanism 300. For example, the front wall portion 122 can include two or more protrusions 320 and the front cover wall portion 222 can correspondingly include two or more joint portions 310. The same applies to the first side wall portion 126 and the first side cover wall portion 226, the second side wall portion 128 and the second side cover wall portion 228, and the like.

Claims (17)

A food container comprising: a tray adapted to store food; a lid adapted to cover the tray; and a locking mechanism adapted to lock the lid to the tray, the locking mechanism comprising: An engaging portion formed on the cover, a protrusion extending from the tray, the protrusion being lockable in a configuration of one of the engaging portions for engaging the cover and the engaging portion of the protrusion and the tray Separating one of the unlocking configurations, and an actuating element coupled to the protrusion, wherein the actuating element is adapted to be actuated by the cover to actuate the protrusion to the cover when the cover covers the tray Locked in position. The food container of claim 1, wherein the actuating element is pivotally coupled to the tray. The food container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the tray comprises a tray peripheral wall having a base surrounding the base along the periphery of the base, wherein the actuating member is from the periphery of the tray A tray wall portion of the wall extends toward the tray. The food container of claim 3, wherein the protrusion extends from the tray wall portion of the peripheral wall of the tray. The food container of any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the actuating element and the protrusion are adapted to rotate relative to the tray wall portion. The food container of claim 5, wherein the actuating member and the protrusion are rotatable about a top edge of one of the tray wall portions, the top edge and a bottom portion of the tray wall portion The edges are opposite, wherein the tray wall portion is joined to the base along the bottom edge. A food container according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the tray wall portion forms an obtuse angle with the base. The food container of any one of clauses 3 to 7, wherein the tray peripheral wall further comprises a first side wall portion having a first top edge and a second side opposite the first side wall portion a sidewall portion having a second top edge, wherein the tray wall portion is disposed between the first sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion and coupled to the first sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion, Wherein the first top edge, the second top edge and the top edge extend along a plane. The food container of any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the cover comprises: a cover having a perimeter, wherein the cover is adapted to cover the tray; the periphery of the cover A cover peripheral wall surrounding one of the cover tops, the cover peripheral wall having a cover wall portion, wherein the engagement portion is formed on the cover wall portion. The food container of claim 9, wherein the top edge of the tray wall portion is adapted to contact the lid top of the lid when the lid covers the tray. The food container of claim 9 or 10, wherein the top edge of the tray wall portion contacts a portion of the perimeter of the top of the lid when the lid covers the tray, wherein the portion of the perimeter is Between the top of the cover and the wall portion of the cover. The food container of any one of clauses 9 to 11, wherein the cover wall portion comprises a cover wall portion connected to one of the connection edges of the cover top and a front edge opposite the connection edge, Wherein the cover wall portion forms an obtuse angle with the top of the cover. The food container of claim 12, wherein the cover is covered when the cover covers the tray The wall portion partially overlaps the tray wall. The food container of any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the lid is pivotally connected to the tray. The food container of claim 14, wherein the peripheral wall of the tray comprises a rear wall portion opposite to the wall portion of the tray, the rear wall portion being coupled to the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion and interposed therebetween Between a side wall portion and the second side wall portion, wherein the top of the cover is connected to the rear wall portion. The food container of any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the protrusion comprises a tongue. The food container of any one of clauses 1 to 16, wherein the joint portion comprises a slot.