BLANK FOR A BOX, A BOX FOLDED FROM THE BLANK AND A BOX CONVERTIBLE INTO A SERVING TRAY

This invention relates to a foldable blank 10 and a box 12 folded from the blank 10. The box 12 defines a cavity 14 for receiving two pizzas 16 and 18, one stacked on top of the other. The box 12 comprises a base portion 20 on which a first pizza 16 is receivable, a stacking portion 22 hingedly coupled to the base portion 20 and locatable within the cavity 14 for receiving a second pizza 18, and a lid portion 24 also hingedly coupled to the base portion 20 for opening and closing the cavity 14. The arrangement is such that the lid portion 24 and stacking portion 22 are removable from the base portion 20 so that the base portion 20 is adapted to provide a first serving tray 26 for serving the first pizza 16 and the stacking portion 22 provides a second serving tray 28 for serving the second pizza 18.

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Description
INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a blank for a box, a box folded from the blank and a box convertible into a serving tray. More specifically, but not exclusively, the box is useful for containing at least two pizzas or other relatively flat food products, the blank is a blank from which such a food products box is folded and the serving tray formed from a box is adapted to have pizza or any other flat food product served thereon.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A box for containing a pizza, generally for delivery or take-away, is very well known and generally comprises a square box (although many other shapes are known in the art) for receiving a pizza therein, made from cardboard, corrugated board or paper board.

The known pizza box includes a receiving portion or base and a covering portion or lid, which is hingedly connected to the base and which is adapted to open and close the receiving portion in which the pizza is located. Should the transport or delivery of two pizzas be required, the known pizza box is usually made to accommodate this by being relatively longer in length, so that the two pizzas are located next to one another, in a side-by-side configuration on the base of the pizza box.

Original pizza box designs have been patented and registered as designs since at least 1968. There are thus numerous different types of pizza boxes known in the art, having different features and being adapted for different uses.

It is also known to stack pizza boxes on top of one another by utilising a stackable pizza box support. The known pizza box support is generally a plastic support stand which is used with a cardboard box in which the pizza is located for delivery or in which they are sold after they have been cooked. The support prevents the top of the box from touching the pizza when the boxes are stacked one on top of the other. This stacking means does not allow the pizzas to be stacked on top of one another in a single box and each pizza must still be located in its own box.

It is also known to insert a stacking means into a pizza box, so that one pizza is locatable underneath the stacking means on a base of the pizza box and another pizza is locatable on top of the stacking means. Such a known stacking means is generally made of a cardboard material and includes a stacking base having elevation walls for elevating the base from the bottom of the pizza box and is generally the same size as the pizza box so that is snugly fits therein. A disadvantage of this stacking means is that it is a separate portion inserted into an existing pizza box.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a blank for a box, a box folded from the blank and a box convertible into a serving tray which are useful alternatives to the above known pizza (or other relatively flat food product) boxes and which at least partially overcome and alleviate the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a single-piece blank foldable into a box defining a cavity for receiving at least two food products, the blank comprising a base portion on which a first food product is receivable, a stacking portion hingedly coupled to the base portion and locatable within the cavity of the box when the box is formed for receiving a second food product, and a lid portion also hingedly coupled to the base portion being openable and closable to open and close the cavity within the box when the box is formed.

The food products may be pizza or any other relatively flat food product.

The arrangement is such that the blank includes various score lines, some being fold lines and some being tear lines, so that the lid and stacking portions are removable from the base portion so that the base portion may be adapted to provide a first serving tray for serving the first food product and the stacking portion may provide a second serving tray for serving the second food product.

The base portion may include a substantially flat base panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and a pair of opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold line.

The side walls may include corner reinforcing tab members extending from opposite ends of each of the side walls.

The base panel may define first and second receiving formations in the form of a first pair of slots and a second slot respectively, for facilitating formation of the first serving tray.

The stacking portion may include a stacking panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold line.

The stacking portion may be hingedly and removably connected to the base portion at a first tear line defined between the front wall of the stacking portion and the front wall of the base portion, so that the stacking portion is foldable into and out of the cavity and removable from the base portion.

A hold tab may be coupled to the front wall of the base portion and removably coupled to the stacking portion via first tear line, so that when the stacking portion is removed from the base portion, the hold tab remains coupled to the front wall of the base portion.

When the stacking portion is removed from the base portion, the hold tab may include a first connecting formation in the form of a first pair of tabs adapted to be received by the first receiving formation.

The lid portion may include a lid panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line and a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line.

The rear edge of the lid portion may be hingedly coupled to the upper end of the rear wall of the base portion at a fold line, so that the lid portion is foldable to open and close the cavity.

The lid portion defines a second tear line spaced from and parallel to the fold line where the lid portion is coupled to the base portion, so that a major part of the lid portion is removable from the box, so that the rear wall of the base portion includes an extended rear wall portion, so that the first serving tray may be formed by the base portion.

When the lid portion is removed from the base portion, the extended rear wall portion may include a second connecting formation in the form of a second tab adapted to be received by the second receiving formation in the base panel.

The blank may include various ventilation apertures to allow for ventilation to the pizzas located in the box.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a box defining a cavity for receiving at least two food products, the box comprising a base portion on which a first food product is receivable, a stacking portion hingedly coupled to the base portion and located within the cavity for receiving a second food product, and a lid portion also hingedly coupled to the base portion being openable and closable to open and close the cavity.

The food products may be pizza or any other relatively flat food product.

The arrangement is such that the box includes various score lines, some being fold lines and some being tear lines, so that the lid and stacking portions are removable from the base portion so that the base portion may be adapted to provide a first serving tray for serving the first food product and the stacking portion may provide a second serving tray for serving the second food product.

The base portion may include a substantially flat base panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and a pair of opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold line.

The side walls may include corner reinforcing tab members extending from opposite ends of each of the side walls.

The base panel may define first and second receiving formations in the form of a first pair of slots and a second slot respectively, for facilitating formation of the first serving tray.

The stacking portion may include a stacking panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold line.

The stacking portion may be hingedly and removably connected to the base portion at a first tear line defined between the front wall of the stacking portion and the front wall of the base portion, so that the stacking portion is foldable into and out of the cavity and removable from the base portion.

A hold tab may be coupled to the front wall of the base portion and removably coupled to the stacking portion via the first tear line, so that when the stacking portion is removed from the base portion, the hold tab remains coupled to the front wall of the base portion.

When the stacking portion is removed from the base portion, the hold tab may include a first connecting formation in the form of a first pair of tabs adapted to be received by the first receiving formation.

The lid portion may include a lid panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line and a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line.

The rear edge of the lid portion may be hingedly coupled to the upper end of the rear wall of the base portion at a fold line, so that the lid portion is foldable to open and close the cavity.

The lid portion defines a second tear line spaced from and parallel to the fold line where the lid portion is coupled to the base portion, so that a major part of the lid portion is removable from the box, so that the rear wall of the base portion includes an extended rear wall portion, so that the first serving tray may be formed by the base portion.

When the lid portion is removed from the base portion, the extended rear wall portion may include a second connecting formation in the form of a second tab adapted to be received by the second receiving formation in the base panel.

The box may include various ventilation apertures to allow for ventilation to the pizzas any other relatively flat food product located in the box.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a box defining a cavity for receiving a food product, the box comprising a base portion on which the food product is receivable and a lid portion hingedly coupled to the base portion being openable and closable to open and close the cavity, the arrangement being such that the box includes various score lines, some being fold lines and some being tear lines, so that the lid is removable from the base portion and the base portion is adapted to be formed into a serving tray for serving the food product.

The food products may be pizza or any other relatively flat food product.

The base portion may include a substantially flat base panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and a pair of opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold line.

The side walls may include corner reinforcing tab members extending from opposite ends of each of the side walls.

The base panel may define first and second receiving formations in the form of a first pair of slots and a second slot respectively, for facilitating formation of the serving tray.

The lid portion may include a lid panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line and a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line.

The rear edge of the lid portion may be hingedly coupled to the upper end of the rear wall of the base portion at a fold line, so that the lid portion is foldable to open and close the cavity.

The lid portion defines a second tear line spaced from and parallel to the fold line where the lid portion is coupled to the base portion, so that a major part of the lid portion is removable from the box, so that the rear wall of the base portion includes an extended rear wall portion, so that the serving tray may be formed by the base portion.

When the lid portion is removed from the base portion, the extended rear wall portion may include a second connecting formation in the form of a second tab adapted to be received by the second receiving formation in the base panel.

The box may include various ventilation apertures to allow for ventilation to the pizzas or any other relatively flat food product located in the box.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a stacking portion hingedly coupled to a base portion of a food products box defining a cavity, the stacking portion being locatable within the cavity of the box while remaining attached to the base portion and the box thus being adapted to receive a first food product on the base portion and a second food product on the stacking portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described further by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blank for a box according to a first embodiment of the invention, which is useful for containing at least two pizzas;

FIG. 2 is the same as FIG. 1 with a first pizza located on a base portion within a cavity of the box;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a partially folded pizza box of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is the same as FIG. 3 with a second pizza located on a stacking portion within the cavity of the box;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a completely folded and closed box, formed from the blank shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of box of FIG. 5 being open and the stacking portion with the second pizza partially removed;

FIG. 7 is the same as FIG. 6, with the stacking portion completely removed from the box;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first pizza located on the base portion of the box and the lid portion of the box being removed;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a first and second serving tray formed from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first serving tray on which the first pizza is located and the second serving tray on which the second pizza is located;

FIG. 11 is the same as FIG. 10 with corner reinforcing tab members removed from the base portion;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view from above showing the first pizza being served on the first serving tray;

FIG. 13 is a side view of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a blank for a box according to a second embodiment of the invention, which is useful for containing a pizza and which is convertible into a serving tray for serving said pizza; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the serving tray formed from the blank of FIG. 14.

 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 13, a foldable blank according to a first embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10 and a box folded from the blank 10 is generally designated by reference numeral 12. In this example, the box 12 is specifically a pizza box. However, it is foreseen that the box could be suitable to contain any type of relatively flat food product and the invention is thus not limited to a pizza box. Referring further to FIG. 14, a foldable blank according to a second embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10A.

The blank 10 is a foldable single-piece cardboard, corrugated board or paperboard blank from which the box 12 is formed. Once formed, the box 12 defines a cavity 14 for receiving at least two pizzas (a first pizza 16 and a second pizza 18), one stacked on top of the other. The box 12 comprises a base portion 20 on which the first pizza 16 is receivable, a stacking portion 22 hingedly coupled to the base portion 20 and locatable within the cavity 14 for receiving the second pizza 18, and a lid portion 24 also hingedly coupled to the base portion 20 being openable and closable to open and close the cavity 14 within the box 12.

The arrangement is such that the blank 10 includes various score lines, some being fold lines and some being tear lines, so that the lid portion 24 and stacking portion 22 are removable from the base portion 20 so that the base portion 20 is adapted to provide a first serving tray 26 for serving the first pizza 16 and the stacking portion 22 provides a second serving tray 28 for serving the second pizza 18, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11.

The base portion 20 includes a substantially flat base panel 30 having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges 32, a front edge 34 and a rear edge 36. A pair of opposing side walls 38 extend from the respective side edges 32 at a fold line 40, a front wall 42 extends from the front edge 34 at a fold line 43 and a rear wall 44 extends from the rear edge 36 at a fold line 46, so that the cavity 14 is formed by the side walls 38, front wall 42 and rear wall 44, when they are folded in upwardly. The side walls 38 include corner reinforcing tab members 48 extending from opposite ends of each of the side walls 38. When the box 12 is folded, these corner reinforcing tab members 48 are located to abut the front wall 42 and rear wall 44 in order to provide additional strength at the corners of the box 12. The base panel 30 defines first and second receiving formations in the form of a first pair of slots 50 and a second slot 52 respectively, for facilitating formation of the first serving tray 26.

The stacking portion 22 includes a stacking panel 54 having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges 56, a front edge 58 and a rear edge 60. Opposing side walls 62 extend from the respective side edges 56 at a fold line 64, a front wall 66 extends from the front edge 58 at a fold line 68 and a rear wall 70 and rear wall portion 71 extend from the rear edge 60 at a fold line 72. The stacking portion 22 is hingedly and removably connected to the base portion 20 at a first tear line 74 defined between the front wall of the stacking portion 22 and the front wall of the base portion 42, so that the stacking portion 22 is foldable into and out of the cavity 14 and removable from the base portion 20.

As shown in detail in FIG. 6, a hold tab 76 is coupled to the front wall of the base portion 42 and removably coupled to the stacking panel 54 via the first tear line 74, so that when the stacking portion 22 is removed from the base portion 20 by holding onto the rear wall portion 71, the hold tab 76 remains coupled to the front wall of the base portion 42. When the stacking portion 22 is removed from the base portion 20, the hold tab 76 includes a first connecting formation in the form of a first pair of tabs 78 adapted to be received by the first pair of slots 50, in order to facilitate in the formation of the first serving tray 26.

The lid portion 24 includes a lid panel 80 having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges 82, a front edge 84 and a rear edge 86. Opposing side walls 88 extend from the respective side edges 82 at a fold line 90 and a front wall 92 extends from the front edge 84 at a fold line 94. The rear edge 86 of the lid portion 24 is hingedly coupled to the upper end of the rear wall 44 of the base portion 20 at a fold line 96, so that the lid portion 24 is foldable to open and close the cavity 14. The lid portion 24 defines a second tear line 98 spaced from and parallel to the fold line 96 where the lid portion 24 is coupled to the base portion 20, so that a major part of the lid portion 24 is removable from the box 12, so that the rear wall of the base portion 44 includes an extended rear wall portion 100, so that the first serving tray 26 is formed by the base portion 20. When the lid portion 24 is removed from the base portion 20, the extended rear wall portion 100 includes a second connecting formation in the form of a second tab 102 adapted to be received by the second slot 52 in the base panel 30.

The blank 10 (and thus the box 12) includes various ventilation apertures 104 to allow for ventilation to the pizzas 16 and 18 located in the box 12.

In use, the box 12 can be easily folded from the single-sheet blank 10 by folding the side, front and rear walls 38, 42 and 44 respectively of the base portion 20 in an operatively upwardly direction to be perpendicular to the base panel 30, to define the cavity 14. The first pizza 16 is receivable on the base panel 30, whereafter the stacking portion 22 is folded over and inserted into the cavity 14 so that the front wall 66 of the stacking portion abuts the front wall 42 of the base portion and the base panel 30 rests on the side, front and rear walls 62, 66 and 70 respectively of the stacking portion 22. The stacking panel 54 is therefore spaced from the base panel 30 and forms a surface for receiving the second pizza 18 thereon. The lid portion 24 is then folded to close the cavity 14 and the pizzas 16 and 18 contained therein. Similarly, the lid portion 24 is spaced from the stacking panel 54. The box 12 is easily transportable when folded and convenient to hold two pizzas. However, it is foreseen that by increasing the width of the box, the box could hold 4 pizzas, so that two pizzas are located side-by-side on the increased width base panel and two pizzas are located side-by-side on the increased width stacking panel.

When the lid portion 24 of the box 12 is opened and the pizzas 16 and 18 are to be removed for consumption, the stacking panel 54 is removed from the box, as shown in FIG. 6, by holding the hold tab 76 and pulling the stacking portion 22 in an opposite direction via the rear wall portion 71. The stacking portion 22 is thus removed from the box 12 by being torn along the first tear line 74 and forms the second serving tray 28 on which the second pizza 18 is served, as shown in FIG. 7. Referring particularly to FIG. 8, the lid portion 24 is also torn away from the box 12 at the second tear line 98 and removed. As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the corner reinforcing members 48 could be removed from the side walls 38 of the base portion 20, and the front and rear walls 42 and 44 folded downwardly and under the base panel 30 so that the first pair of tabs 78 are received by the first pair of slots 50 and the second tab 102 received by the second slot 52, so that the first serving tray 26 is formed on which the first pizza 16 is served.

According to the second embodiment of the invention, a blank 10A for a box is shown in FIG. 14. The box folded from the blank 10A is similar to the box 12 folded from the blank 10, except that the stacking portion 22 has been removed. The box therefore defines a cavity for receiving a single food product (or two food products arranged side-by-side). The blank 10A thus includes a base portion 20 and a lid portion 24 hingedly coupled to the base portion 20. The arrangement is such that the blank 10A includes various score lines, some being fold lines and some being tear lines, so that the lid is removable from the base portion 20 and the base portion 20 is adapted to be formed into a serving tray 26 for serving the food product. Therefore, the base portion 20 includes a substantially flat base panel 30 having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges 32, a front edge 34 and a rear edge 86; and a pair of opposing side walls 38 extending from the respective side edges 32 at a fold line 40, a front wall 42 extending from the front edge 34 at a fold line 43 and a rear wall 44 extending from the rear edge 36 at a fold line 46. The side walls 38 include corner reinforcing tab members 48 extending from opposite ends of each of the side walls 38. The base panel 30 further defines first and second receiving formations in the form of a first pair of slots 50 and a second slot 52 respectively, for facilitating formation of the serving tray 26. The lid portion 24 includes a lid panel 80 having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges 82, a front edge 84 and a rear edge 86; and opposing side walls 88 extending from the respective side edges 82 at a fold line 90 and a front wall 92 extending from the front edge 84 at a fold line 94. The rear edge 86 of the lid portion 24 is hingedly coupled to the upper end of the rear wall 44 of the base portion 20 at a fold line 96, so that the lid portion 24 is foldable to open and close the cavity defined in the box. The lid portion 24 defines a second tear line 98 spaced from and parallel to the fold line 96 where the lid portion 24 is coupled to the base portion 20, so that a major part of the lid portion 24 is removable from the box, so that the rear wall 44 of the base portion 20 includes an extended rear wall portion 100, so that the serving tray 26 may be formed by the base portion 20. When the lid portion 24 is removed from the base portion 20, the extended rear wall portion 100 includes a second connecting formation in the form of a second tab 102 adapted to be received by the second receiving formation 52 in the base panel 30.

It will be appreciated that variations in detail are possible with a blank for a box, a box folded from the blank and a box convertible into a serving tray according to the invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A single-piece blank foldable into a box defining a cavity for receiving at least two food products, the blank comprising a base portion on which a first food product is receivable, a stacking portion hingedly coupled to the base portion and locatable within the cavity of the box when the box is formed for receiving a second food product, and a lid portion also hingedly coupled to the base portion being openable and closable to open and close the cavity within the box when the box is formed.

2. A blank according to claim 1 wherein the arrangement is such that the blank includes various score lines, some being fold lines and some being tear lines, so that the lid and stacking portions are removable from the base portion so that the base portion is adapted to provide a first serving tray for serving the first food product and the stacking portion provides a second serving tray for serving the second food product.

3. A blank according to claim 2 wherein the base portion includes a substantially flat base panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and a pair of opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold line.

4. A blank according to claim 3 wherein the base panel defines first and second receiving formations in the form of a first pair of slots and a second slot respectively, for facilitating formation of the first serving tray.

5. A blank according to claim 4 wherein the stacking portion includes a stacking panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold line.

6. A blank according to claim 5 wherein the stacking portion is hingedly and removably connected to the base portion at a first tear line defined between the front wall of the stacking portion and the front wall of the base portion, so that the stacking portion is foldable into and out of the cavity and removable from the base portion.

7. A blank according to claim 6 wherein a hold tab is coupled to the front wall of the base portion and removably coupled to the stacking portion via the first tear line, so that when the stacking portion is removed from the base portion, the hold tab remains coupled to the front wall of the base portion.

8. A blank according to claim 7 wherein the hold tab includes a first connecting formation in the form of a first pair of tabs adapted to be received by the first receiving formation.

9. A blank according to claim 8 wherein the lid portion includes a lid panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line and a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line.

10. A blank according to claim 9 wherein the rear edge of the lid portion is hingedly coupled to the upper end of the rear wall of the base portion at a fold line, so that the lid portion is foldable to open and close the cavity.

11. A blank according to claim 10 wherein the lid portion defines a second tear line spaced from and parallel to the fold line where the lid portion is coupled to the base portion, so that a major part of the lid portion is removable from the box, so that the rear wall of the base portion includes an extended rear wall portion, so that the first serving tray is formed by folding the base portion.

12. A blank according to claim 11 wherein the extended rear wall portion includes a second connecting formation in the form of a second tab adapted to be received by the second receiving formation in the base panel.

13. A box defining a cavity for receiving at least two food products, the box comprising a base portion on which a first food product is receivable, a stacking portion hingedly coupled to the base portion and located within the cavity for receiving a second food product, and a lid portion also hingedly coupled to the base portion being openable and closable to open and close the cavity.

14. A box according to claim 13 wherein the arrangement is such that the box includes various score lines, some being fold lines and some being tear lines, so that the lid and stacking portions are removable from the base portion so that the base portion is adapted to provide a first serving tray for serving the first food product and the stacking portion provides a second serving tray for serving the second food product.

15. A box according to claim 14 wherein the base portion includes a substantially flat base panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and a pair of opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold line.

16. A box according to claim 15 wherein the base panel defines first and second receiving formations in the form of a first pair of slots and a second slot respectively, for facilitating formation of the first serving tray.

17. A box according to claim 16 wherein the stacking portion includes a stacking panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold line.

18. A box according to claim 17 wherein the stacking portion is hingedly and removably connected to the base portion at a first tear line defined between the front wall of the stacking portion and the front wall of the base portion, so that the stacking portion is foldable into and out of the cavity and removable from the base portion.

19. A box according to claim 18 wherein a hold tab is coupled to the front wall of the base portion and removably coupled to the stacking portion via the first tear line, so that when the stacking portion is removed from the base portion, the hold tab remains coupled to the front wall of the base portion.

20. A box according to claim 19 wherein the hold tab includes a first connecting formation in the form of a first pair of tabs adapted to be received by the first receiving formation.

21. A box according to claim 20 wherein the lid portion includes a lid panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line and a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line.

22. A box according to claim 21 wherein the rear edge of the lid portion is hingedly coupled to the upper end of the rear wall of the base portion at a fold line, so that the lid portion is foldable to open and close the cavity.

23. A box according to claim 22 wherein the lid portion defines a second tear line spaced from and parallel to the fold line where the lid portion is coupled to the base portion, so that a major part of the lid portion is removable from the box, so that the rear wall of the base portion includes an extended rear wall portion, so that the first serving tray is formed by the base portion.

24. A box according to claim 23 wherein the extended rear wall portion includes a second connecting formation in the form of a second tab adapted to be received by the second receiving formation in the base panel.

25. A box defining a cavity for receiving a food product, the box comprising a base portion on which the food product is receivable and a lid portion hingedly coupled to the base portion being openable and closable to open and close the cavity, the arrangement being such that the box includes various score lines, some being fold lines and some being tear lines, so that the lid is removable from the base portion and the base portion is adapted to be formed into a serving tray for serving the food product.

26. A box according to claim 25 wherein the base portion includes a substantially flat base panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and a pair of opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold line.

27. A box according to claim 26 wherein the base panel defines first and second receiving formations in the form of a first pair of slots and a second slot respectively, for facilitating formation of the first serving tray is formed.

28. A box according to claim 27 wherein the lid portion includes a lid panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a fold line and a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold line.

29. A box according to claim 28 wherein the rear edge of the lid portion is hingedly coupled to the upper end of the rear wall of the base portion at a fold line, so that the lid portion is foldable to open and close the cavity.

30. A box according to claim 29 wherein the lid portion defines a second tear line spaced from and parallel to the fold line where the lid portion is coupled to the base portion, so that a major part of the lid portion is removable from the box, so that the rear wall of the base portion includes an extended rear wall portion, so that the serving tray may be formed by the base portion.

31. A box according to claim 30 wherein the extended rear wall portion includes a second connecting formation in the form of a second tab adapted to be received by the second receiving formation in the base panel.

32. A stacking portion hingedly coupled to a base portion of a food products box defining a cavity, the stacking portion being locatable within the cavity of the box while remaining attached to the base portion and the box thus being adapted to receive a first food product on the base portion and a second food product on the stacking portion.

Patent History
Publication number: 20110233264
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 24, 2011
Publication Date: Sep 29, 2011
Inventors: Marco Giuseppe LOMBARDI (Johannesburg), Ashleigh Elizabeth Lombardi (Johannesburg)
Application Number: 13/071,135
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Convertible (229/103); Parallel Partitions Folded From A Single Sheet Of Material (229/120.24); Compartments Accessible From Different Planes (220/503)
International Classification: B65D 5/54 (20060101); B65D 5/488 (20060101); B65D 5/66 (20060101);