US20010030227A1 - Food container, condiment container and method of mounting the condiment container to the food container - Google Patents

Abstract

A food container, such as a scoop formed of lightweight paperboard, has a slit (or slot) extending in substantially a straight line across a front panel thereof for receiving a flange of a condiment container such as a cup covered by a lid. The condiment container may be securely attached the food container by inserting the flange in to the slit, from the outside of the food container, sufficiently that at least one locking feature on the flange becomes disposed within the food container. At least one locking feature is formed on a surface of the flange. The locking feature is tapered from a leading edge to a trailing edge thereof, and has a thickness (t2) at its trailing edge which is substantially greater, such as five to ten times greater, than its thickness (t1) at the leading edge thereof The locking feature can be in the geometric form of a triangle, having an apex oriented towards a leading edge of the flange. Two locking features may be provided on the flange, such as on the top surface thereof The flange itself extends substantially perpendicular to a side wall of the condiment container and may be integral with a portion of a lip which extends from a top edge of the side wall. The condiment cup may be formed of a resilient material, selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene. The lid for the condiment cup may be formed of a material selected from the group consisting of foil or plastic laminate.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
• This is a continuation-in-part of commonly-owned, copending provisional patent application number 60/193,995, filed Apr. 1, 2000, entitled IMPROVED FRENCH FRY SCOOP.[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The invention relates to containers for food items such as French fries, chicken strips, or any other finger foods, and containers for condiments such as ketchup and, more particularly, to techniques for attaching or mounting a condiment container to a food item container.[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Containers are known for holding individual servings of food items such as French fried potatoes (French fries) or chicken pieces, such as are commonly available from “fast food” restaurants. These containers are typically formed of paperboard stock which has been cut, embossed, and/or perforated. Techniques for manufacturing a container from paperboard stock are well known, and include die-cutting, and the like.[0003]
• One well-known type of paperboard container for food items is a cup. A cup comprises a generally cylindrical body closed at one end by a generally circular panel. The food may be deposited and removed through the remaining open end of the body. By the term “generally cylindrical” it is meant that the body has a conic shape whose sides make an angle with the bottom panel ranging from 90 to 45 degrees. By the term “generally circular” it is meant that the bottom is in the shape of a circle or ellipse.[0004]
• Another well-known type of paperboard container for food items is a “scoop”. A scoop comprises a generally rectangular front panel having two side edges attached to two side edges of a generally rectangular, similarly sized and shaped, rear panel. The scoop further comprises a bottom panel for connecting a bottom edge of the front panel to a bottom edge of the rear panel. The remaining top sides of the panels are not attached, and define an opening into which food items can be inserted into the scoop by a food server and removed from the scoop by the customer (consumer). By the term “generally rectangular” it is meant that the panel is a tetragonal figure whose shape approximates a rectangle (having two opposite sides of substantially equal length and no inside angle that is not within 50% of 90 degrees).[0005]
• Items served in scoop containers, such as French fries or chicken strips, can be eaten directly from the scoop within the restaurant. They are also frequently served for consumption outside of the restaurant environment, as in a vehicle, in the home, or while the customer is walking. These food products are often accompanied by a serving of a condiment (or garnish) which the customer consumes along with the food product. For example, French fries are frequently served with ketchup and chicken pieces are often served with dipping sauce.[0006]
• These condiments may be served and/or dispensed in various ways. For example, the customer may dispense the condiments from a bulk container (holding several servings), such as a squeeze bottle, directly onto the food item or into open individual-serving-sized cups. Individual portions may be served to the customer in foil, tear-open pouches (packets) or in individual-serving-sized cups (or tubs), which are pre-filled with a serving of the condiment and sealed by a removable membrane (lid).[0007]
• Condiment containers of the type which are a cup having a lid are typically formed of a resilient material such as polyethylene, such as by vacuum forming (e.g., thermoforming). Various other materials can be used to form the cup, including polypropylene, polystyrene, thick metal foils, impregnated paper, paper, foil, plastic or a combination thereof The cup consists of a reservoir for holding a volume (the “serving”) of the condiment and a lip (or flange) which extends completely around the top of the cup. The cups are filled with condiment, then the reservoir is sealed by the lid. The condiment cup is opened by peeling the lid back from the lip to expose the reservoir and the condiment contained therein. The lid is typically a membrane of a thin foil or plastic laminate which is sealed to the lip by an adhesive or which is heat sealed to the lip of the cup.[0008]
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,466 discloses a food container which is a scoop and a condiment container which is a cup having a lid. The condiment cup has a reservoir and a lip surrounding the reservoir opening. Support fingers are formed in the lip and can be bent out-of-plane and engaged over the vertical wall of the food container to hold the condiment cup on the container. The condiment cup is essentially “hung” from a top edge of a panel of the scoop.[0009]
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,631 discloses a condiment compartment which mounts on the outside of the front panel of a scoop. The condiment compartment is attached with an adhesive to the scoop so as to be positioned generally in the center of the front panel of the scoop. Other configurations are discussed in the patent.[0010]
DISCLOSURE (SUMMARY) OF THE INVENTION
• It is an object of the invention to provide an improved construction for a food container such as a scoop formed of lightweight paperboard, a cup, an auto-bottom box, a paperboard container or folding carton of any type.[0011]
• It is an object of the invention to provide an improved construction for a condiment container such as a cup having a membrane seal.[0012]
• It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method of mounting a condiment container to a food container.[0013]
• According to the invention, a food container, such as a scoop, has a condiment container mounting feature which comprises a slit (or slot) extending across a panel of the food container for receiving a flange of a condiment container such as a cup covered by a lid. The condiment container may be securely attached to the food container by inserting the flange into the slit, from the outside of the food container, sufficiently that at least one locking feature on the flange becomes disposed within the food container.[0014]
• According to a feature of the invention, one or more slits may be disposed at and perpendicular to any longitudinal point along the front or rear panel and may be centered between two sides of the front panel or offset to either side. More than one slit may be disposed on the scoop to accommodate different uses. The slit has a length dimension (L) which may be between 10-50% of a width dimension (Wt) of the front panel.[0015]
• According to a feature of the invention, the condiment container comprises a flange extending from a side wall of the container, and at least one locking feature is formed on a surface of the flange. The locking feature is tapered from a leading edge to a trailing edge thereof, and has a thickness (t[0016]2) at its trailing edge which is substantially greater, such as five to ten times greater, than its thickness (t1) at the leading edge thereof The locking feature can be in the geometric form of a triangle, having an apex oriented towards a leading edge of the Range. One or more locking features may be provided on the flange, such as on the top surface thereof The flange itself extends substantially perpendicular to a side wall of the condiment container, and may be integral with a portion of a lip which extends from a top edge of the side wall. The lip of the condiment container has a thickness between 0.010 inches and 0.10 inches, preferably being between 0.010 inches and 0.020 inches. The condiment cup may be formed of a resilient material, selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene. The lid for the condiment cup may be formed of a material selected from the group consisting of foil or plastic laminate.
• The condiment container (cup) of the present invention attaches easily to the food container or other similar container of the present invention.[0017]
• The invention permits individual condiment containers to be formed, filled and sealed, and shipped in bulk to the fast food restaurants. When the scoop is filled with a food such as French fries, the condiment container may be easily attached to it by inserting the flange of the container into a slit on the scoop. The scoop may contain one or more slits to accommodate a user's choice of eating location. For example, if the customer chooses to consume the food in a restaurant, the container may be inserted into a slit located near the bottom of the scoop so that the condiment container may support the scoop, allowing it to stand in an upright position on the top surface of a table. If the customer chooses to consume his or her food while driving a car, the container may be inserted into a slit located near the top of the scoop, so that the scoop may support the condiment container and still be inserted into an automobile cup holder.[0018]
• The addition of a mounting feature which is a slit to the food container (scoop) does not add to the material cost of the food container.[0019]
• Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in light of the following description thereof[0020]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Reference will be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention will be described in the context of these preferred embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.[0021]
• Elements of the figures are typically numbered as follows. The most significant digits (hundreds) of the reference number corresponds to the figure number. Elements of FIG. 1 are typically numbered in the range of 100-199. Elements of FIG. 2 are typically numbered in the range of 200-299. Similar elements throughout the drawings may be referred to by similar reference numerals. For example, the element[0022]199 in a figure may be similar, and possibly identical to the element299 in an other figure. In some cases, similar (including identical) elements may be referred to with similar numbers in a single drawing. For example, each of a plurality of elements199 may be referred to individually as199a,199b,199c,etc. Such relationships, if any, between similar elements in the same or different figures will become apparent throughout the specification, including, if applicable, in the claims and abstract.
• Throughout the following description(s) of the drawings, the following terms may be used to describe and/or “point to” various portions of elements in the drawings. The terms “top”, “upper”, “bottom”, “lower”, “left” and “right” refer to directions on the Figure being discussed, in its normal orientation. The terms “inside”, “inner”, “outside” and “outer” may also be used, and should be given their ordinary meanings, as consistent with the overall description, unless specified otherwise.[0023]
• The structure, operation, and advantages of the present preferred embodiment of the invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:[0024]
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food container and a condiment container, according to the invention;[0025]
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the food and condiment containers of FIG. 1, according to the invention;[0026]
• FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the condiment container and a portion of the food container of FIG. 1, taken on a line[0027]3-3 through FIG. 1, according to the invention;
• FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the condiment container, according to the invention;[0028]
• FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the condiment container of FIG. 4, taken on a line[0029]5-5 through FIG. 4, according to the invention; and
• FIG. 6 is an illustration of various permutations available for slit designs.[0030]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• FIGS.[0031]1-5 illustrate an embodiment of afood container100, acondiment container200, and a method of attaching or mounting thecondiment container200 to thefood container100, according the invention. FIG. 1 illustrates thecondiment container200 already mounted to thefood container100, and FIG. 2 illustrates thecondiment container200 prior to mounting to the food container.
The Food Container
• The[0032]food container100 is, by way of example, a “scoop”, such as is commonly used to contain a serving of French fried potatoes, chicken strips, or other finger foods (not shown). Thescoop100 comprises a generally rectangularfront panel102 having two generally rectangular side flaps contiguous therewith (not shown), a generally rectangularrear panel104, and abottom panel106. As best viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, thefront panel102 is spaced apart from therear panel104 such as they would be when the container is filled with the aforementioned foods that rest on thebottom panel106. Thefood container100 is typically formed of lightweight paperboard, since such a container is typically intended for single usage (disposable). Thefront panel102 has four sides (or edges)102a,102b,102cand102d. Therear panel104 has four sides (or edges)104a,104b,104cand104d. The bottom panel has four sides (or edges)106a,106b,106c, and106d. Thefront panel102 has anouter surface102eand aninner surface102f. Therear panel104 has anouter surface104eand aninner surface104fThebottom panel106 has anouter surface106eand aninner surface106f. Theside102aof thefront panel102 is the top (as viewed) edge of thefront panel102, and may be curved as shown. Theside104aof therear panel104 is the top (as viewed) edge of therear panel104, and may be curved as shown.
• Typically, two panels of a paperboard container are made to be foldably connected with one another by forming a score line in the paperboard blank from which the container is assembled. As used herein, a “score line” is a rupturing of the surface of blank paperboard sheet material, typically resulting in a depression on one side of the sheet and a welt on the other, which facilitates the paperboard blank being folded along that line and connected to designated panels. The[0033]side102bof thefront panel102 is foldably connected and contiguous with a side flap (not shown), which is adhesively secured to theouter surface104eof the back panel near theside104d. Theside102dof thefront panel102 is foldably connected and contiguous with a second side flap (not shown), which is adhesively secured to theouter surface104eof theback panel104 near theside104b. Thesides106aand106bof the bottom panel are foldably connected and contiguous with thesides102cof the front panel and104cof the back panel, respectively. Thebottom panel106 has a central score line106gwhich permits the bottom panel to be folded in half when the container is flattened for storage or shipment.
• The[0034]front panel102 has a height dimension Hf between itstop edge102aand itsbottom edge102c. Therear panel104 has a height dimension Hr between itstop edge104aand itsbottom edge104c. Thefront panel102 is typically shorter than (not as tall as) therear panel104—in other words, Hf<Hr. Thefront panel102 andrear panel104 may both be tapered, as shown, having a width dimension Wt across theirtop edges102aand104a, respectively, which is greater than a width dimension Wb across theirbottom sides102cand104c, respectively—in other words, Wt>Wb. Typically, the width dimensions of the front andrear panels102 and104 are substantially identical with one another. Thefront panel102,back panel104 andbottom106 of thefood container100 form areservoir112 for containing the serving of the food item. In use, thetop edges102aand104aof these twopanels102 and104, respectively, are spaced apart from one another, thereby forming anopening114 for accessing thereservoir112 of thefood container100. In this manner, food items such as French fries (not shown) may be inserted into thefood container100 by a food server (not shown) for serving a customer (not shown), and the food items may be removed from thefood container100 for consumption (e.g., eating) by the customer
• As best viewed in FIG. 2, a[0035]slit110 is provided in thefront panel102 of thefood container100. Theslit110 is a “mounting feature” of thecontainer100, and is sized, shaped and positioned for receiving a corresponding “mounting feature” (230) of thecondiment container200 which is described in greater detail hereinbelow. The “slit”110 is a cut that extends completely through the material of thefront panel102 from theouter surface102ethereof to theinner surface102fthereof.
• As best viewed in FIG. 2, the[0036]slit110 extends generally horizontally (as viewed), across thefront panel102, between thesides102band102dof thefront panel102. The slit can be a variety of shapes and sizes, as shown in FIG. 6, including but not limited to a substantiallystraight line601, acurved line602, an “H”design603, a “U”design604aand604b, or a series ofsmaller slits605, each designed to hold a single condiment container locking mechanism A distance between theslit110 and thetop edge102aof thefront panel102 is a dimension d1. A distance between theslit110 and thebottom side102cof thefront panel102 is a dimension d2. Theslit110 may be disposed anywhere on the container. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, theslit110 is positioned so that the dimension d1 is less than half the height dimension Hf of thefront panel102—in other words, d1<=Hf/2. In this configuration, a user/customer can hold both the condiment container and food container in one hand or insert them into an automobile cup holder. The slit may also be positioned so that d1 is greater than half the height dimension Hf of thefront panel102—in other words d1>=Hf/2. In this configuration, the condiment container can be positioned such that itsbottom surface210 is aligned with the bottom surface of the food container, permitting it to support the food containers in an upright position.
• The[0037]slit110 is preferably centered between the twosides102band102d, and has a length L which is preferably between 10-50% of the width dimension Wt of thefront panel102. However, the slit may be off center or may include 2 or more slits. As will become evident, the vertical position of theslit110 is related to the height dimension (H) of thecondiment container200 and the length L of theslit110 is related to a width dimension (W) of a mounting feature (230) of thecondiment container200. Theslit110 also has a vertical dimension which, in the case of theslit110 simply being a cut through the material of thefront panel102, may be zero (0 inches, 0 mm), or theslit110 may be a slot having a non-zero vertical dimension, such as a few thousandths of an inch (a few hundredths of a millimeter). In FIG. 1, theslit110 is shown as a slot having a non-zero vertical extent, for illustrative clarity. In a further embodiment, the slit may also be configured as a hole having a generally circular or elliptical configuration to accommodate a similarly shaped condiment container mounting feature.
The Condiment Container
• The[0038]condiment container200 is, by way of example, a cup (or tub) for containing a serving (predetermined volume) of acondiment201. Thecondiment container200 is generally in the form of a rectangular prism—in other words, a box having four sides (side walls),204,206 and208, and a bottom210. The fourside walls202,204,206,208 andbottom210 of thecondiment container200 define areservoir212 for containing the serving of thecondiment201. The top edges of the fourside walls202,204,206,208 of thecondiment container200 are generally coplanar and form anopening214 in the top (as viewed) of thecondiment container200, for accessing thereservoir212 of thecondiment container200. Alip216 extends completely around theopening214 of thereservoir212, and is generally perpendicular to theside walls202 . . .208. As best viewed in FIG. 3, a dimension H is the height of thecondiment container200, which is essentially the height dimension of thereservoir212. As best viewed in FIG. 4, thereservoir212 is generally rectangular in cross-section, having cross-dimensions X and Y, respectively.
• The[0039]condiment container200 is filled (e.g., by a condiment manufacturer) withcondiment201, then thereservoir212 is sealed by alid220 which extends over theopening214. Thelid220 is sealed to thelip216 by a narrow band (strip) of an adhesive222 that extends around the periphery of thelid220. Alternatively, thelid222 can be heat-sealed to thelip216. As is best viewed in FIG. 1, thelid220 can be peeled away from thelip216 to expose thecondiment201 within thereservoir212, for use by the customer (not shown). In FIG. 3, thecondiment container200 is shown without the lid220 (with thelid220 removed).
Mounting Features
• As mentioned hereinabove, the[0040]slit110 is a mounting feature of thefood container100. A corresponding mounting feature of thecondiment container200 is now described.
• As best viewed in FIGS. 3, 4 and[0041]5, aflange230 extends from a oneside wall202 of thecondiment container200, substantially perpendicular to theside wall202. Theflange230 is generally planar, has atop surface230aand abottom surface230b, is generally parallel to thebottom210 of thecondiment container200, and has a “leading”edge230c. The term “leading” edge refers to the fact that, in use, when thecondiment container200 is mounted (attached) to thefood container100, it is theleading edge230cof theflange230 that first enters theslit110 in thefood container100. Ultimately, as best viewed in FIGS. 3 and 5, substantially theentire flange230 is inserted through theslit110 to securely attach thecondiment container200 to thefood container100.
• The[0042]flange230 has a width dimension W. Theflange230 has a thickness t1 which is preferably the thickness of the material of theoverall condiment container200, and is suitably integrally formed with thecondiment container200, by thermoforming (vacuum forming) a sheet of plastic. Theflange230 is sized and shaped to fit into theslot110. Therefore, the width W of theflange230 is no greater than, preferably slightly less than, the length L of theslot110—in other words, W<=L.
• The[0043]flange230 is formed (sized and shaped) to securely attach thecondiment container200 to thefood container100, in cooperation with theslit110 on thefood container100. At least one, preferably two locking features232,234 are formed on a surface, preferably thetop surface230aof theflange230. Thesefeatures232,234 are suitably out-of-plane, raised, deformations of the thermoformed plastic material of theflange230 andcondiment container200. As best viewed in FIGS. 2 and 4, the locking features are suitably in the geometric form of triangles, such as isosceles triangles, having an apex oriented towards the leadingedge230cof theflange230. However, the locking feature may be in the form of any geometric shape having suitable dimensions and configuration as described hereinbelow. Additionally, the portion of the flange between one or more locking mechanisms may be cut out to allow insertion into a two or more slit configuration.
• As best viewed in FIG. 5, a cross-section of representative one[0044]232 of the locking features232,234, thelocking feature232 is tapered, from a “leading” edge (or point)232athereof to a “trailing”edge232bthereof. At thepoint232a, thelocking feature232 has a thickness equal to the thickness t1 of the material of theflange230. At the trailingedge232b, thelocking feature232bhas a thickness t2 which is substantially greater than t1, such as a multiple of approximately five to ten times greater than t1—in other words t2>>t1. The increase of the effective thickness of theflange230 is thus gradually increased from a relatively small dimension t1 to a relatively large dimension t2.
• Preferably, and as illustrated, the[0045]flange230 is an extension of that portion of thelip216 that extends from the top edge of theside wall202. However, it is within the scope of the invention that theflange230 is not integral with thelip216. For example, in a further embodiment of the invention, an additional flange, or just a locking feature, may be formed in theside wall202 of the condiment container.
• As mentioned above, the[0046]slit110 is disposed at a distance d2 above thebase106 of thefood container100. As best viewed in FIG. 1, this position should be high enough up thefront panel102 of thefood container100 so that there is “clearance” for attaching thecondiment container200 to thefood container100. Generally speaking, if the food is to be eaten while walking or driving a car, the distance d2 between theslit110 and thebottom side102cof thefront panel102 should be greater than the height H of thecondiment container200—in other words, d2>H. If the condiment container is to be used as a support for the food container, the distance d2 should be equal to the height H—in other words, d2=H.
• In use, the[0047]flange230 is inserted into theslit110, from the outside of thefood container100, sufficiently that locking features232,234 are within the food container, thereby securely attaching thecondiment container200 to thefood container100.
Materials and Dimensions
• The[0048]food container100,condiment container200 andlid220 may be formed of the following exemplary materials and may have the following approximate dimensions (expressed in both inches and milimeters (mm)). These materials and dimensions are not intended to be limiting—other materials and dimensions being within the scope of the invention.
• The[0049]food container100 may be formed of paperboard, or of materials other than paperboard, such as corrugated or honeycomb composite structures, plastic or plastic laminate. The material of thefood container100 may have a thickness dimension of approximately 0.022 inches or 0.55 mm, such as 0.38-0.64 mm. Thefood container100 may have the following exemplary dimensions:
• Hf=approximately 5.5 inches or 140 mm;[0050]
• Hr=approximately 7.0 inches or 180 mm;[0051]
• Wt=approximately 4.0 inches or 100 mm;[0052]
• Wb=approximately 2.5 inches or 635 mm;[0053]
• d[0054]1=approximately 0.5 inches or 13 mm;
• d[0055]2=approximately 3.5 inches or 90 mm; and
• L=approximately 1.25 inches or 32 mm[0056]
• The[0057]condiment container200 may be formed of a resilient material such as polyethylene, such as by vacuum forming. Various other materials can be used to form the condiment container, including polypropylene, polystyrene, thick metal foils, impregnated paper, paper, foil, plastic or a combination of these materials. The criteria for selecting a suitable material is that the material must be amendable to being formed into a condiment container and, after being formed it must hold it shape. Further, the material for the condiment container should be such that the flange (230) must be stiff enough to retain its shape, but at the same time must be resilient enough that the locking features (232,234) can deform in a resilient manner to securely hold the condiment container to the food container. Thecondiment container200 may have the following exemplary dimensions:
• H=approximately 1.25 inches or 32 mm;[0058]
• X=approximately 1.625 inches or 41 mm;[0059]
• Y=approximately 1.25 inches or 32 mm;[0060]
• t[0061]1=approximately 0.012 inches or 0.3 mm; and
• t[0062]2=approximately 0.125 inches or 3.0 mm.
• The[0063]lip220 extends approximately 0.125 inches or 3.0 mm from thesidewalls204,206 and208 of thecondiment container200, and the flange extends approximately 0.56 inches or 14 mm from thesidewall202 of thecondiment container200. The locking feature232 (and234) is in the form of an isosceles triangle having a base dimension of approximately 0.312 inches or 8 mm, and side dimensions of 0.250 inches or 6 mm.
• The[0064]lid220 of thecondiment container200 is typically a flat (planar) membrane or sheet of a thin foil or plastic laminate. A suitable thickness for thelid220 is approximately 0.005 inches or 0.13 mm.
• The present invention is useful for serving condiment along with a food item, such as[0065]
• French fries and a serving of ketchup from a “fast-food” vendor, and enables a customer to carry both the food item and the condiment with one hand, leaving the other hand free, such as to unlock and/or open a door, such as a car door.[0066]
• While the invention has been described in combination with embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. For example, the inventive concept may be applied to any type of paperboard food serving container of any shape and size, and may include locking features of many different shapes and locations on the condiment container. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.[0067]

Claims (38)

What is claimed is:

1. A food container having a generally rectangular panel, comprising:

a slit extending across the panel for receiving a flange of a condiment container.

2. A food container, according to

claim 1

, wherein:

the panel has a top and a bottom side and the slit is disposed nearer to the top than to the bottom side of the panel.

3. A food container, according to

claim 1

, wherein:

the panel has a top and a bottom side and the slit is disposed nearer to the bottom than to the top side of the panel.

4. A food container, according to

claim 2

, further comprising:

a second slit disposed nearer to the bottom than to the top side.

5. A food container, according to

claim 1

, wherein:

the slit has a length dimension which is between 10-50% of a width dimension of the panel.

6. A food container, according to

claim 1

, wherein:

the panel has a top and a bottom side and the slit is disposed equidistant from both sides.

7. A food container, according to

claim 1

, further comprising:

a second slit next to the slit extending across the panel for receiving a flange of a second condiment container.

8. A food container, according to

claim 1

, wherein:

the slit is in a shape selected from the group consisting of a straight line, a curved line, an “H” design, a “U” design, or at least two cuts each designed to hold a single locking mechanism.

9. A food container, according to

claim 2

, wherein:

the slit extends in substantially a straight line across the panel.

10. A food container, according to

claim 3

, wherein:

the slit extends in substantially a straight line across the panel.

11. A food container, according to

claim 1

, wherein:

the food container is formed from a material chosen from the group consisting of lightweight paperboard, corrugated composite structures, honeycomb composite structures, plastic or plastic laminate.

12. A food container having a generally cylindrical panel and a generally circular bottom attached to an end of the generally cylindrical panel, comprising:

a slit extending across the panel for receiving a flange of a condiment container.

13. A food container, according to

claim 12

, wherein:

the panel has a top and a bottom side and the slit is disposed nearer to the top than to the bottom side of the panel.

14. A food container, according to

claim 12

, wherein:

the panel has a top and a bottom side and the slit is disposed nearer to the bottom than to the top side of the panel.

15. A food container, according to

claim 13

, further comprising:

a second slit disposed nearer to the bottom than to the top side.

16. A food container, according to

claim 12

, wherein:

the slit has a length dimension which is between 10-50% of a width dimension of the panel.

17. A food container, according to

claim 12

, wherein:

the slit is disposed between a top side and a bottom side of the panel.

18. A food container, according to

claim 12

, further comprising:

a second slit next to the slit extending across the panel for receiving a flange of a second condiment container.

19. A food container, according to

claim 12

, wherein:

the slit is in a shape selected from the group consisting of a straight line, a curved line, an “H” design, a “U” design, or at least two cuts each designed to hold a single locking mechanism.

20. A food container, according to

claim 13

, wherein:

the slit extends in substantially a straight line across the panel.

21. A food container, according to

claim 14

, wherein:

the slit extends in substantially a straight line across the panel.

22. A food container, according to

claim 12

, wherein:

the food container is formed from a material chosen from the group consisting of lightweight paperboard, corrugated composite structures, honeycomb composite structures, plastic or plastic laminate.

23. A condiment container comprising:

a side wall;

a flange extending from the side wall and having a top surface, a bottom surface and a leading edge;

at least one locking feature formed on a one of the top and bottom surfaces of the flange;

the at least one locking feature is tapered from a leading edge thereof to a trailing edge thereof.

24. A condiment container, according to

claim 23

, wherein:

the at least one locking feature has a thickness at its trailing edge which is substantially greater than its thickness at the leading edge thereof.

25. A condiment container, according to

claim 24

, wherein:

the thickness of at least one locking feature at its trailing edge is five to ten times greater that the thickness at the leading edge.

26. A condiment container, according to

claim 24

, wherein:

the thickness of the at least one locking feature at its leading edge is substantially equal to the thickness of a material of the flange.

27. A condiment container, according to

claim 23

, wherein:

the at least one locking feature is formed on the top surface of the flange

28. A condiment container, according to

claim 23

, wherein:

the at least one locking feature is an out-of-plane, raised, deformation of the flange.

29. A condiment container, according to

claim 23

, wherein:

the at least one locking feature is in the geometric form of a triangle, having an apex oriented towards the leading edge of the flange.

30. A condiment container, according to

claim 23

, wherein:

two locking features are provided on the flange.

31. A condiment container, according to

claim 23

, wherein:

the flange extends substantially perpendicular to the side wall.

32. A condiment container, according to

claim 23

, wherein:

the flange is integral with a portion of a lip which extends from a top edge of the side wall.

33. A condiment container, according to

claim 23

, wherein:

the flange is sized and shaped to securely attach the condiment container to a corresponding slit on a panel of a food container.

34. A condiment container, according to

claim 23

, wherein:

the condiment is formed of a resilient material, selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene.

35. A condiment container, according to

claim 23

, further comprising:

a lid extending over an opening of the condiment container.

36. A condiment container, according to

claim 35

, wherein:

the lid is sealed to a lip extending around the opening.

37. A condiment container, according to

claim 35

, wherein:

the lid comprises a thin membrane of material selected from the group consisting of foil or plastic laminate.

38. Method of mounting a condiment container to a food container, comprising:

providing a condiment container having a side wall; a flange extending from the side wall and having a top surface, a bottom surface and a leading edge; and at least one locking feature formed on a one of the top and bottom surfaces of the flange;

providing a food container having a mounting feature which is a slit extending in substantially a straight line across a front panel for receiving the flange of the condiment container; and

inserting the flange into the slit, from the outside of the food container, sufficiently that the at least one locking feature is within the food container, thereby securely attaching the condiment container to the food container.

Images