AU2009201846B1

AU2009201846B1 - Container for take-away food

Info

Publication number: AU2009201846B1
Application number: AU2009201846A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William Tran
Original assignee: WLW MARKETING SERVICES Pty Ltd
Current assignee: WLW MARKETING SERVICES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-05-08
Filing date: 2009-05-08
Publication date: 2010-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 2029-05-08

Description

AUSTRALIA FB RICE & CO Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys Patents Act 1990 WLW MARKETING SERVICES PTY LTD COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Container for take-away food The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- 2 FIELD The present disclosure relates to a container and, more particularly, to a container for take-away or left-over foods. Whilst the container disclosed herein has been developed for holding take-away or left-over foods, and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application, it 5 will be appreciated that the container may also be used for storing pre-packaged meals or other foods. BACKGROUND Known take-away food containers typically include a generally rectangular base receptacle and a lid snap-lockingly applicable to the base receptacle. 10 A disadvantage of such take away food containers is that take away food stored in the container becomes intermixed, which can be undesirable if the container is used to store different foods, and especially foods with different sauces or toppings. In order to overcome this disadvantage, containers with vertically oriented, and generally removable, partitions, which divide the containers into horizontal 15 compartments, have been developed. A problem with these partitions is that sauce or topping tends to flow between the partitions and the container wall, which results in undesirable intermixing of the sauces or toppings. Another disadvantage of the partitions is that they tend to be easily dislodged, which again results in undesirable intermixing of the sauces or toppings. 20 Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim 25 of this application. SUMMARY Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of 30 any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. In broad aspect, the present disclosure provides a container for take-away or left-over food, the container comprising: I a first tub having a base and sidewalls extending from the base to define an open top having a peripheral rim for engagement by a lid; a seat located on an inner side of the sidewalls of the first tub; a second tub nestable within the first tub, the second tub having a base and 5 sidewalls extending from the base to define an open top having a peripheral rim; a bearing surface located on an outer surface of the sidewalls of the second tub, the bearing surface being adapted to rest on the seat, wherein, when the second tub is nested in the first tub, the rim of the second tub is located wholly within a volume enclosed by the first tub; and 10 a lid applicable to the first tub, with or without the second tub nested in the first tub, the lid having a peripheral channel for snap-locking engagement with the rim of the first tub, wherein, with the second tub nested in the first tub, the rim of the first tub is spaced at a first predetermined height above the seat, and the rim of the second tub is 15 spaced at a second predetermined height above the bearing surface, and wherein the second predetermined height is less than the first predetermined height, and wherein a difference between the first predetermined height and the second predetermined height corresponds to a difference in height between an underside top of the peripheral sealing channel of the lid and an underside of a major surface of the lid. 20 The seat is preferably defined by a first step in the sidewalls of the first tub. The seat preferably extends peripherally around the first tub. The seat is preferably continuous. The bearing surface preferably corresponds to the shape of the seat. The bearing surface is preferably defined by a second step in the sidewalls of the second tub. The 25 bearing surface preferably extends peripherally around the second tub. The bearing surface is preferably continuous. The bearing surface is preferably between 0mm and 5mm wide, more preferably between 0mm and 2mm wide, and, in a particularly preferred form, approximately Imm wide. The seat is preferably between 0mm and 5mm wide, more preferably between 0mm and 2mm wide, and, in a particularly 30 preferred form, approximately Imm wide. A portion of the sidewalls of the first tub above the seat preferably extends outwardly at a first predetermined angle relative to the base of the first tub. With the second tub nested in the first tub with the bearing surface engaged with the seat, a portion of the sidewalls of the second tub above the bearing surface preferably extends 35 outwardly at a second predetermined angle relative to the base of the first tub. The first predetermined angle is preferably greater than the second predetermined angle. The 933761_1.doc 4 first predetermined angle is preferably between 100 degrees and 150 degrees, more preferably between 110 degrees and 140 degrees, and, in a particularly preferred form, approximately 120 degrees. The second predetermined angle is preferably between 90 degrees and 130 degrees, more preferably between 90 degrees and 110 degrees, and, in 5 a particularly preferred form, approximately 100 degrees. A portion of the sidewalls of the first tub below the seat preferably extends outwardly at a third predetermined angle relative to the base of the first tub. With the second tub nested in the first tub with the bearing surface engaged with the seat, a portion of the sidewalls of the second tub below the bearing surface preferably extends 10 outwardly at a fourth predetermined angle relative to the base of the first tub. The third predetermined angle is preferably less than the fourth predetermined angle. The third predetermined angle is preferably between 90 degrees and 130 degrees, more preferably between 90 degrees and 110 degrees, and, in a particularly preferred form, approximately 95 degrees. The fourth predetermined angle is preferably between 90 15 degrees and 130 degrees, more preferably between 90 degrees and 110 degrees, and, in a particularly preferred form, approximately 100 degrees. A difference between the first predetermined height and the second predetermined height is preferably between 0mm and 20mm, more preferably between 2mm and 10mm, and, in a particularly preferred form, approximately 5mm. 20 At least one first recess is preferably provided in the sidewalls of the first tub to facilitate access of a user's fingers to an external surface of the sidewalls of the second tub and thereby to facilitate removal of the second tub from the first tub and nesting of the second tub in the first tub. The at least one first recess preferably extends outwardly away from the volume enclosed by the first tub. At least a portion of the first recess 25 preferably extends above the seat. At least one second recess is preferably provided in the sidewalls of the second tub for engagement by a user's fingers to facilitate removal of the second tub from the first tub and nesting of the second tub in the first tub. The at least one second recess preferably extends inwardly toward a volume enclosed by the second tub. At least a portion of the second recess preferably extends above the bearing 30 surface. Preferably, at least one corresponding pair of first and second recesses is provided. More preferably, a corresponding pair of first and second recesses is provided on opposite sidewalls of the first and second tubs. The first and second tubs are preferably rectangular. A corresponding pair of first and second recesses is preferably provided on opposite major sidewalls of the first 35 and second tubs. 933761_1.doc 4A The sidewalls of the second tub are preferably continuous (i.e. do not include apertures). The base of the second tub is preferably continuous (i.e. does not include apertures).

5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of a container for take-away food in accordance with the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the container, 5 shown with the second tub nested in the first tub; Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the container of Fig. 1, showing the first tub only, with the second tub being removed; Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the container of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view of the container of Fig. 1, 10 shown with the second tub nested in the first tub and with a lid sealingly engaged with the rim of the first tub; and Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of Fig. 4. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a container 15 10 for take-away or left-over food. The container 10 comprises a first rectangular tub 12 having a base 14, with major sidewalls 16 and minor sidewalls 17 extending from the base to define an open top having a peripheral rim 19 for engagement by a lid. As best seen in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, a seat 20 is located on an inner side of the sidewalls of the first tub 12. As shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, a second rectangular tub 22 is nestable within 20 the first tub 12 and also has a base 24, with major sidewalls 26 and minor sidewalls 27 extending from the base to define an open top having a peripheral rim 29. The base 24 and sidewalls 26, 27 of the second tub 22 are continuous (i.e. do not include apertures). As best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, a bearing surface 30, which is adapted to rest on the seat 20, is located on an outer surface of the sidewalls of the second tub 22. When 25 the second tub 22 is nested in the first tub 12, the rim 29 of the second tub 22 is located wholly within a volume enclosed by the first tub 12. As best seen in Fig. 5, the seat 20 is defined by a step in the sidewalls of the first tub 12. The seat 20 extends peripherally around the first tub 12 and is continuous. The seat is approximately Imm wide. 30 The bearing surface 30 corresponds to the shape of the seat 20 and is defined by a step in the sidewalls of the second tub 22. The bearing surface 30 extends peripherally around the second tub 22 and is continuous. The bearing surface is approximately Imm wide.

6 As best seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, a portion of the sidewalls of the first tub 12 above the seat 20 extends outwardly at a first predetermined angle A relative to the base 14 of the first tub. With the second tub 22 nested in the first tub 12 with the bearing surface 30 engaged with the seat 20, a portion of the sidewalls of the second 5 tub 22 above the bearing surface 30 extends outwardly at a second predetermined angle B relative to the base 14 of the first tub 12. The first predetermined angle A is greater than the second predetermined angle, and is approximately 120 degrees, with the second predetermined angle B being approximately 100 degrees. Still referring to Fig. 5, a portion of the sidewalls of the first tub 12 below the 10 seat extends outwardly at a third predetermined angle C relative to the base 14 of the first tub. With the second tub 22 nested in the first tub 12 with the bearing surface 30 engaged with the seat 20, a portion of the sidewalls of the second tub 22 below the bearing surface 30 extends outwardly at a fourth predetermined angle D relative to the base 14 of the first tub 12. The third predetermined angle C is less than the fourth 15 predetermined angle D, and is approximately 95 degrees, with the fourth predetermined angle being approximately 100 degrees. Again referring to Fig. 5, the rim 19 of the first tub 12 is spaced at a first predetermined height HI above the seat 20, and the rim 29 of the second tub 22 is spaced at a second predetermined height H2 above the bearing surface. The second 20 predetermined height H2 is less than the first predetermined height HI, with a difference between the first predetermined height HI and the second predetermined height H2 being approximately 5mm. The difference AH between the first predetermined height H I and the second predetermined height H2 is selected to correspond to a difference in height between an underside top 32 of a peripheral sealing 25 channel of the lid 34 applicable to the rim 19 of the first tub 12 and the underside 36 of a major surface of the lid 34, such that when the lid 34 is sealingly engaged with the rim 19 of the first tub 12, the underside 36 of the major surface of the lid 34 rests on and sealingly engages the rim 29 of the second tub 22. Corresponding pairs of first recesses 38 and second recesses 40 are provided in 30 the opposite major sidewalls 16 of the first tub 12 and the opposite major sidewalls 26 of the second tub 22, respectively, to facilitate access of a user's fingers to an external surface of the sidewalls of the second tub 22 and thereby to facilitate removal of the second tub 22 from the first tub 12 and nesting of the second tub 22 in the first tub 12. The first recesses are located wholly above the seat 20 and extend outwardly away 35 from the volume enclosed by the first tub 12. The second recesses 40 extend inwardly toward a volume enclosed by the second tub 22 and extend along the entire height of 7 the sidewalls 26, with part of the second recesses 40 being located above the bearing surface 30 and part of the second recesses 40 being located below the bearing surface 30. It will be appreciated that the illustrated container 10 permits different take 5 away or left-over foods to be separately stored in a respective one of the first 12 or second 22 tubs, but within a single container 10. Moreover, this separate storage of the different foods prevents the different foods, and especially their sauces or toppings, from intermixing. The positioning of the rim 29 of the second tub 22 within the volume enclosed by the first tub 12 and the relative heights between the rims of the first and 10 second tubs when nested advantageously allows a lid 34 sealingly engaged with the rim of the first tub 12 to also seal the second tub, by virtue of the underside of the major surface of the lid 34 sealingly engaging the rim 29 of the second tub, as best seen in Fig. 5. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations 15 and/or modifications may be made to the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Examples of possible modifications include, but are not limited to: * the seat 20 and/or bearing surface 30 being non-continuous; and/or 20 e the first recesses 38 and/or second recesses 40 being omitted.

Claims

1. A container for take-away or left-over food, the container comprising: a first tub having a base and sidewalls extending from the base to define an open top having a peripheral rim for engagement by a lid; 5 a seat located on an inner side of the sidewalls of the first tub; a second tub nestable within the first tub, the second tub having a base and sidewalls extending from the base to define an open top having a peripheral rim; a bearing surface located on an outer surface of the sidewalls of the second tub, the bearing surface being adapted to rest on the seat, 10 wherein, when the second tub is nested in the first tub, the rim of the second tub is located wholly within a volume enclosed by the first tub; and a lid applicable to the first tub, with or without the second tub nested in the first tub, the lid having a peripheral sealing channel for snap-locking engagement with the rim of the first tub, 15 wherein, with the second tub nested in the first tub, the rim of the first tub is spaced at a first predetermined height above the seat, and the rim of the second tub is spaced at a second predetermined height above the bearing surface, and wherein the second predetermined height is less than the first predetermined height, and wherein a difference between the first predetermined height and the second 20 predetermined height corresponds to a difference in height between an underside top of the peripheral sealing channel of the lid and an underside of a major surface of the lid.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein a portion of the sidewalls of the first tub above the seat extends outwardly at a first predetermined angle relative to the base of the first tub, and, with the second tub nested in the first tub with the bearing surface 25 engaged with the seat, a portion of the sidewalls of the second tub above the bearing surface extends outwardly at a second predetermined angle relative to the base of the first tub.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the first predetermined angle is greater than the second predetermined angle. 30

4. The container of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first predetermined angle is between 100 degrees and 150 degrees.

5. The container of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first predetermined angle is between 1 10 degrees and 140 degrees.

6. The container of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second predetermined 35 angle is between 90 degrees and 130 degrees. 933761_1.doc 9

7. The container of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second predetermined angle is between 90 degrees and I10 degrees.

8. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a portion of the sidewalls of the first tub below the seat extends outwardly at a third predetermined 5 angle relative to the base of the first tub, and, with the second tub nested in the first tub with the bearing surface engaged with the seat, a portion of the sidewalls of the second tub below the bearing surface extends outwardly at a fourth predetermined angle relative to the base of the first tub.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the third predetermined angle is less than the 10 fourth predetermined angle.

10. The container of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the third predetermined angle is between 90 degrees and 130 degrees.

11. The container of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the third predetermined angle is between 90 degrees and 110 degrees. 15

12. The container of any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the fourth predetermined angle is between 90 degrees and 130 degrees.

13. The container of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the fourth predetermined angle is between 90 degrees and 1 10 degrees.

14. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a difference between 20 the first predetermined height and the second predetermined height is between 0mm and 20mm.

15. The container of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a difference between the first predetermined height and the second predetermined height is between 2mm and 10mm. 25

16. The container of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a difference between the first predetermined height and the second predetermined height is approximately 5mm.

17. The container of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one first recess in the sidewalls of the first tub to facilitate access of a user's fingers to an external surface of the sidewalls of the second tub and thereby to facilitate removal of 30 the second tub from the first tub and nesting of the second tub in the first tub.

18. A container for take-away or left-over food, said container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 933761_1.doc