Condiment receptacle for food container

A condiment receptacle for use with a food container configured to hold a food item in the container's food chamber. The condiment receptacle attaches to or is integral with one of the container's upstanding sidewalls. The condiment receptacle comprises a front panel that extends outward from the sidewall by a first side panel and a second side panel when the receptacle is placed in the open position to define a condiment chamber for receiving a quantity of condiment therein. Each side panel has one or more fold lines to collapse the receptacle generally against the sidewall to place the receptacle in its closed position for transport and storage of the food container, which is also configured to collapse substantially flat. The condiment receptacle can also include a back panel that attaches to the sidewall with an adhesive material and/or a bottom panel, each of which further define the condiment chamber.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The field of the present invention relates generally to containers for serving food and the use of condiments with the food contained therein. More particularly, the present invention relates to food containers that are provided with a receptacle for receiving condiments therein for use with the food served in the food container. Even more particularly the present invention relates to condiment receptacles that are attached to or integral with a sidewall of the food container.

B. Background

Many food products, particularly fast food products, are sold in single serving food containers that are intended for the consumer to eat the food directly out of the food container. Examples of such foods include french fries, french toast sticks and chicken strips. A variety of other foods are or may be served out of single serving food containers. Typically, such food containers are formed from a disposable material that is configured to be easily transported and stored prior to being filled with the food. Although a variety of different materials may be utilized, a very common material for food containers is cardboard or the like. Standard single serving food containers have one or more generally upstanding sidewalls and a bottom wall that define the container's food chamber in which the food is placed prior to serving the food to the consumer. Typically, the sidewalls and bottom wall are provided with fold lines that enable the food container to be folded substantially flat during transport and storage and then unfolded to provide an opening through which the food item can be inserted into the food chamber. As well known to those skilled in the art, the ability to fold the food container reduces handling and storage costs associated with the food container.

Due in part to the nature of the food served in the single serving food containers described above, many people enjoy eating the food item(s) with a condiment such as ketchup, syrup, gravy or other sauces, including barbeque, sweet and sour, mayonnaise, ranch dressing and the like, depending on the type of food provided in the food container. For take out purposes, the condiment is provided in a separate package that is given to the consumer when he or she purchases the food item. Typically, condiment packages are either small plastic bag or bag-like packages that are cut or torn open to squeeze out the condiment or small box-like packages that have a removable top portion that is pulled off to allow access to the condiment. For the bag or bag-like condiment packages, the user must either place the condiment directly on the food item, while the food is in the food container or with the food poured out on a plate or napkin, or the user must place the condiment on a plate or napkin so that the food item can be dipped into the condiment. While the bag or bag-like packages are generally not configured for the user to insert a food item, such as a french fry, into the package to get condiment on the food item, the box-like packages are typically configured for the user to insert the food item directly into the open box-like package to get some condiment on the food item.

Though “fast” foods are often eaten at a person's home or at another place where handling the condiment is not much of a problem, these foods are very frequently eaten “on-the-go,” whether the person is riding in a car, walking, or standing or sitting while he or she waits for another activity to be completed (i.e., while watching a sporting event). For bag or bag-like condiment packages, the user must either pour the condiment over the food in the food container or place the condiment on a napkin for dipping. Pouring the condiment over the food is generally not preferred my most people, with the exception being those who like their food covered with the condiment (typically covered somewhat unevenly). Placing the condiment on a napkin, plate or other support surface is generally not preferred due to the tendency of the condiment to “bleed” through many on-the-go support surfaces and due to the difficulties in trying to balance a napkin, plate or other support surface and the food container while he or she moves a food item from the container to the condiment and then to the mouth. While the box-like condiment packages generally do not have the issue with regard to bleeding through the support surface, they still present a problem with regard to balancing the food container and condiment package in one hand while using the other hand to move a food item from the food container to the open condiment package to get condiment on the food item prior to placing the food item in the mouth.

Over the years, various devices and food container configurations have been developed to attempt to solve the problem with regard to utilizing condiments while eating food items in an on-the-go fashion. Modified condiment packages have been provided that are configured to engage a cooperatively configured food container so as to allow the user to hold onto the container with the condiment package attached thereto. Modifications to container packages that better assist the user in supporting existing condiment packages have also been provided. None of the foregoing prior art devices or systems provide an easy to use condiment receptacle that is integral or attached to a food container. What is needed, therefore, is a new condiment receptacle that is adaptable for use with a wide variety of different types and configurations of food containers. The preferred condiment receptacle should be configured so as not to prevent or otherwise hinder the desired collapsing or folding of the food container for transport or storage purposes. Likewise, the preferred condiment receptacle should not interfere with the unfolding of the food container or placement of food therein when the food item is to be served to the consumer. The preferred condiment receptacle should be configured to be out of the consumer's way when not needed and be easy to unfold and use when the consumer desires to place a condiment therein. Preferably, the condiment receptacle should provide a sufficiently sized condiment chamber for inserting a food item therein to obtain some of the condiment on the food item. The preferred condiment receptacle should be readily adaptable to existing food containers without requiring a change in design of the containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The condiment receptacle of the present invention solves the problems and provides the benefits identified above. That is to say, the present invention discloses a condiment receptacle that is integral with or attached to a food container to provide a chamber for receiving condiment so the consumer may dip his or her food items therein to get a desired amount of the condiment on the food item. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the condiment receptacle is adaptable for attachment to a sidewall of a wide variety of different sizes and configurations of food containers, including those commonly referred to as food scoops, for serving a variety of different food items. The preferred condiment receptacle is configured to provide a condiment chamber that is sized and configured to receive virtually any type of condiment and allow the consumer to dip his or her food item therein to obtain a desired amount of condiment on the food item. The preferred embodiment of the condiment receptacle is configured to not interfere with the collapsing or folding of the food container, as desired for transport and storage, and to not interfere with its unfolding when desired to place the food container in condition for receiving food in its food chamber. In the preferred embodiment, the condiment receptacle remains collapsed against the sidewall of the food container unless the consumer desires to utilize the present invention for receiving a condiment, at which time the consumer unfolds the condiment receptacle to define the condiment chamber, pours or otherwise places the condiment in the condiment chamber and then dips one of his or her food items into the chamber to place the desired amount of condiment on the food item. The preferred configuration of the condiment receptacle of the present invention is readily adaptable to most existing food containers without requiring modification of the existing container configuration, which configuration is often chosen so as to be identifiable with the particular food company or product.

In one general aspect of the present invention, the condiment receptacle for food containers, such as food scoops and the like, having one or more generally upstanding sidewalls. The condiment receptacle comprises a front panel, a first side panel attached to or integral with the front panel and a second side panel attached to or integral with the front panel in spaced apart relation to the first side panel. The first and second side panels are each configured to extend the front panel outward from one of the container's sidewalls in the receptacle's open position so as to define a condiment chamber for receiving a condiment therein and to collapse so as to place the condiment receptacle in its closed position. The condiment chamber is open at its upper end and closed at its lower end. In the preferred embodiment, each of the side panels have one or more fold lines that allow the side panels to collapse to place the condiment receptacle in the closed position. In one embodiment, a plurality of fold lines provide an accordion effect. In the embodiment where the condiment receptacle attaches to the container sidewall, the receptacle preferably includes a back panel attached to or integral with the side panels and the use of an adhesive material disposed between the back panel and the sidewall to secure the back panel, and therefore the condiment receptacle, to the container sidewall. In a preferred configuration, the outward edge of each side panel curves generally downwardly and inwardly toward the sidewall from the top edge of the front panel to its bottom edge at the sidewall. In another embodiment, the condiment receptacle includes a bottom panel that is attached to or integral with the front panel and the side panels, and the back panel if it is utilized, to provide a condiment chamber that has a generally square or rectangular cross-section, thereby providing a larger space for the condiment and for dipping the food item therein.

In use, the food container is shipped with the condiment receptacle in its closed position. If the consumer desires to use a condiment with his or her food item, that has been placed in the open food chamber, then he or she merely pulls on the top edge of the front panel to open the condiment receptacle and allow access to the condiment chamber defined by the panels. The user pours, squeezes or otherwise places a quantity of condiment in the condiment chamber and then dips one of his or her food items into the condiment chamber to obtain a desired amount of condiment thereon. By utilizing the condiment receptacle of the present invention, the consumer solves the problems of trying to hold a container or surface for the condiment while balancing the food container full of food items and then removing one food item to dip into the condiment container or having to pour condiment over the food item in the food container. With the condiment receptacle of the present invention, the consumer only has to hold the food container, with condiment in the condiment receptacle thereon, with one hand and use the other hand to retrieve and dip a food item into the condiment.

Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a condiment receptacle that provides the advantages set forth above and overcomes the various disadvantages and limitations associated with presently available devices and systems for facilitating use of condiments with food items served in a food container.

It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a condiment receptacle that is configured to be attached to the sidewall of a food container and receive a quantity of condiment into a condiment chamber defined thereby so the consumer may dip or otherwise insert one of his or her food items into the condiment chamber and obtain a desired amount of condiment on the food item.

It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a condiment receptacle that attaches to a food container in a manner that does not interfere with the ability to collapse or fold the food container for transport and storage or interfere with the ability of the food service provider to easily unfold the food container when desired to place food therein.

It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a condiment receptacle that remains out of the consumer's way when he or she does not desire to utilize the receptacle and is easily unfolded to open its condiment chamber when he or she does desire its use.

It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a condiment receptacle that attaches to a sidewall of a wide variety of differently configured food containers without requiring any modification to the existing shape and configuration of the food container.

The above and other objectives of the present invention will be explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, mode of operation and combination of processes presently described and understood by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments and the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a food container containing a food item therein with a condiment receptacle configured according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown attached to the front sidewall in its collapsed or closed position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the food container and condiment receptacle of FIG. 1 showing the condiment receptacle of the present invention in its open position and receiving condiment from a condiment package;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the food container of FIG. 1 shown without the food item and with the condiment receptacle of the present invention in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the food container and condiment receptacle of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an isolated exploded side view of the condiment receptacle of a preferred embodiment shown in the open position and separate from the front sidewall of the food container to illustrate the adhesive material on the back panel of the receptacle;

FIG. 6 is an isolated side view of an alternative embodiment showing the condiment receptacle in the open position and integral with the front sidewall of the food container;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a collapsed food container showing the condiment container of the present invention on the front sidewall in the collapsed or closed position;

FIG. 8 is a front view of an alternative use of the condiment receptacle of the present invention showing the condiment receptacle in the open position and attached to a side sidewall of the food container;

FIG. 9 is a back view of an alternative use of the condiment receptacle of the present invention showing the condiment receptacle in the open position and attached to the back sidewall of the food container;

FIG. 10 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the condiment receptacle of the present invention in the open position showing use of a substantially flat bottom panel with a bottom fold line thereon;

FIG. 11 is an isolated side view of an alternative embodiment of the condiment receptacle of the present invention showing use of a plurality of fold lines on the side panels to obtain an accordion effect;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a food container having the condiment receptacle of FIG. 11 shown in the closed position; and

FIG. 13 is a back perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the condiment receptacle of the present invention showing the use of a pair of back members for attachment to the food container.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below. The enclosed figures and drawings are merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment and represents one of several different ways of configuring the present invention. Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses are illustrated, it should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the configuration of those components described herein and in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention set forth herein. For instance, although the figures and description provided herein generally refer to the use of a food scoop type of food container used to hold a plurality of french fries, those skilled in the art will readily understand that this is merely for purposes of simplifying the present disclosure and that the present invention is not so limited, as the present invention is equally applicable for use with a wide variety of different types of food containers that are utilized to hold a variety of different types of food.

A condiment receptacle that is manufactured out of the components and configured pursuant to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown generally as 10 in the figures. As shown in the figures, condiment receptacle 10, also referred to as the “Flip 'N Dip,” is utilized with a food container 12 that is configured to hold one or more food items 14, such as the plurality of individual french fries 16 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and with a condiment 18, such as the ketchup shown in FIG. 2, that is dispensed from a condiment package 20 or other condiment storage devices (including those that include a spout or other pouring mechanism). As discussed in more detail below and best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, condiment receptacle 10 can be configured to securely attach to food container 12 or be integral therewith. For illustration and descriptive purposes, the condiment receptacle of the present invention is shown in use with a food scoop type of food container, such as that set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,482 to Cai, which is commonly utilized to hold french fries 16 as the food item 14. As with the typical food container, food container 12 has a plurality of generally upstanding sidewalls, including front sidewall 22, back sidewall 24 and opposing first 26 and second 28 side sidewalls, and a bottom wall 30 that define a food chamber 32 which is open at its upper end 34 and substantially closed at its lower end 36 for receiving food item 14 therein. The typical food container 14 is made out of cardboard, paperboard or similar materials and configured with at least one side fold line 38 on each of side sidewalls 26 and 28 and at least one bottom fold line 40 on bottom wall 30 that enables food container 14 to be folded or collapsed to a substantially flat condition, as shown in FIG. 7, for ease of transport and storage. Prior to use, the food supplier unfolds the collapsed food container 14 and scoops or otherwise places a plurality of french fries 16 into food chamber 32 for serving to the consumer.

As will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, food container 12 can be provided in a variety of different configurations and shapes and be made out of variety of different materials. Likewise, food container 12 can be utilized to hold or serve a variety of different food items 14, including chicken strips, french toast sticks, egg rolls and the like, and condiment receptacle 10 can be utilized to hold a condiment 18 that is appropriate for food item 14 or desired by the consumer to be used with food item 14. As known to those familiar with the food industry, many food suppliers utilize food containers 12 of a particular shape or design as a way for consumers to recognize the food suppliers' food products. As such, being adaptable for use with most existing food containers 12 is an important consideration for condiment receptacle 10 so as to enable the food suppliers to continue to utilize their desired food containers 12.

As discussed above, the use of ketchup 18 with french fries 14 when the consumer is eating in an on-the-go manner presents a problem with regard to how to dip the french fries 14 in the ketchup 18. The usual alternatives are to pour the ketchup 18 on a napkin or like surface or to pour it over the french fries 14 while they are in the food container 12. The former has problems with regard to the ketchup 18 bleeding through the napkin and/or the napkin being dropped or blown away and the latter has a problem with regard to having an unequal distribution of ketchup 18 on the individual french fries 16 and the likelihood of getting ketchup 18 on the consumer's hand as he or she removes individual french fries 16 from the food container 12. Even if a suitable dish or other condiment-receiving container or surface is available, the consumer still has to balance this container and the food container 12 in one hand while he or she attempts to remove a single french fry 16 from the food container 12 and dip it into the ketchup 18. As familiar to those who have attempted this activity, it can result in spilling the food item 14 on the ground and/or the consumer.

Condiment receptacle 10 solves the foregoing problem by providing the consumer with a place in which to put a quantity of condiment 18 that does not require an extra item to be held so that he or she may remove a single food item 16 from the plurality of food items 14 and dip it into the condiment 18 in a manner that allows a controlled amount of condiment 18 to be placed on the food item 16. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, condiment receptacle 10 is placed on the front sidewall 22. In alternative embodiments, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, condiment receptacle 10 is placed on one of the side sidewalls (i.e., second side sidewall 28 in FIG. 8) or on the back sidewall 24 (FIG. 9).

In the preferred embodiment, condiment receptacle comprises a plurality of generally upstanding panels, namely at least a front panel 42, a first side panel 44 and a second side panel 46, which is in spaced apart relation to the first side panel 44. Each of the first 44 and second 46 side panels are attached to or integral with front panel 42, as shown in the figures. First 44 and second 46 side panels are configured to extend front panel 42 generally outwardly from the sidewall (i.e., front sidewall 22) of food container 12 to place condiment receptacle 10 in an open position, shown as 48 in FIGS. 2 through 6, so as to define condiment chamber 50, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, that is open at the upper end 52 and closed at the lower end 54. In the preferred embodiment, condiment receptacle 10 does not have a bottom panel. Instead, as exemplified in FIG. 2, when condiment receptacle is in the open position 48 front panel 42 extends both downwardly and inwardly toward front sidewall 22 where it is closed at the lower end 54 thereof, such that front panel 42 effectively provides the bottom wall for condiment receptacle 10. With condiment receptacle 10 in the open position 48, condiment 18 can be poured, squeezed or otherwise placed into condiment chamber 50 from condiment package 20, as shown in FIG. 2.

As set forth above, food container 12 is configured to be placed in a substantially flat condition during transport or storage to reduce space and the likelihood of damage to food container 12. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, condiment receptacle 10 is also configured to lay substantially flat against front sidewall 22 (in the preferred embodiment) of food container 12 when condiment receptacle 10 is in its closed position, shown as 56 in FIGS. 1 and 7. To facilitate condiment receptacle 10 laying flat against front sidewall 22, first 44 and second 46 side panels are each provided with one or more fold lines 58 that allow the side panels 44 and 46 to effectively buckle outward into the closed position 56. In one preferred embodiment, first 44 and second 46 side panels contain a plurality of fold lines 58 that effectively result in an accordion-type of movement (i.e., no buckling outward or inward), as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. In either configuration, when condiment receptacle 10 is in its closed position 56, it will lay substantially flat against front sidewall 22 or other sidewall on which it is placed. Preferably, top edge 58 and bottom edge 60 of front panel 42 will be substantially abutting the subject sidewall (i.e., front sidewall 22) when condiment receptacle 10 is in its closed position 56. In addition, it is also preferred that the various fold lines 58 on condiment receptacle 10 be configured such that the consumer can pull on top edge 60 of front panel 42 to easily extend front panel 42 outward so as to place condiment receptacle 10 in the open position 48 and, if desired, push front panel 42 inward to return condiment receptacle 10 to the closed position 56.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, condiment receptacle 10 of the present invention can be configured for attachment to front sidewall 22, as an example, or be manufactured integral therewith. In the attachment configuration of FIG. 5, condiment receptacle has back panel 64 that attaches to or is integral with side panels 44 and 46 in a position substantially opposite front panel 42, at least at the upper end of condiment chamber 50. In the preferred embodiment, when condiment receptacle 10 is in its closed position 56 the front panel 42 generally abuts the back panel 64. Disposed between back panel 64 and front sidewall 22 is a sufficient quantity of adhesive material 66 of a type that provides a secure attachment between back panel 64 of condiment receptacle 10 and the mounting surface, such as front sidewall 22, of food container 12. As well known to those skilled in the art, adhesive material 66 can be a glue or glue-type substance or it can be a tape (i.e., double sided tape) that is placed on back panel 64 and/or first sidewall 22 during the manufacturing process. An example of an adhesive material 66 is the glue substance utilized by a number of food suppliers to attach game pieces or other materials to the outside surface of the front sidewall 22 of the food container 12. This same adhesive material 66 can be utilized for condiment receptacle 10 and the process of attaching condiment receptacle 10 to front sidewall 22, or other sidewall, can be substantially the same process used to attach the game piece to food container 12, therefore requiring few changes to existing materials and processes. In the integral configuration of FIG. 6, the back of condiment receptacle 10 is provided by the outer surface of the sidewall, such as front sidewall 22, where condiment receptacle 10 is located. This embodiment will require a modification to the blank utilized to form food container 12 to provide for an outwardly extending portion that defines the front panel 42 and side panels 44 and 46 necessary to form condiment chamber 50 to receive condiment 18.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 5-6, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention the outward edge 67 of both side panels 44 and 46 extends generally downwardly and inwardly from the top edge 60 of front panel 42 to the bottom edge 62 where it connects to front sidewall 22. In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, condiment container 10 has a generally square or rectangular configuration that includes a bottom panel 68 with one or more bottom fold lines 70. When the condiment receptacle 10 is in the open position 48 shown in FIG. 10, the bottom edge 62 of front panel 42 will move outward from the front sidewall 22 until bottom panel 68 is fully extended to provide additional space for receiving condiment 18 and for dipping one of the food items 14, such as a french fry 16, in the condiment 18. Bottom fold line 70 is configured to facilitate collapsing condiment container 10 to its closed position 56. In one embodiment, a single bottom fold line 70 is used and the bottom panel 68 buckles outward similar to that shown for the side panels 44 and 46 in FIG. 7. In another embodiment, a plurality of fold lines 70 are utilized and bottom panel 68 moves in an accordion fashion similar to that discussed above. The condiment receptacle 10 of this embodiment results in a condiment chamber 50 similar in configuration to many of the rectangular shaped condiment packages 20 currently in use to hold sauces and the like (i.e., for chicken strips, etc.).

In yet another alternative embodiment, condiment receptacle 10 includes a pair of back members 72 that extend inward toward condiment chamber 50 from side panels 44 and 46, as shown in FIG. 13, and attach to the support surface (i.e., front sidewall 22). Adhesive material 66 on back members 72 is utilized to attach the condiment receptacle 10 of this embodiment to front sidewall 22 or one of the other sidewalls. Except for the area spanned by back members 72, the remaining back wall of the condiment receptacle 10 is provided by the surface on which condiment receptacle 10 attaches, similar to the integral embodiment discussed above. As with the other embodiments, side panels 44 and 46 are provided one or more fold lines 58 to facilitate condiment receptacle 10 being placed in the closed position 56.

In use, condiment receptacle 10 will typically be placed on food container 12 during the manufacturing process and shipped to the food suppliers on the collapsed food container 12 with condiment receptacle 10 in its closed position 56. The food supplier will open the food container 12 in the same manner as without condiment receptacle 10 and place a food item 14, such as a plurality of french fries 16, in the food chamber 32 of food container 12 for serving to the consumer with one or more condiment packages 20 containing condiment 18 appropriate or desired for food item 14. If the consumer desires to have condiment 18 with his or her food item 14, particularly but not exclusively if he or she is eating on-the-go, then the consumer will pull on the top edge 60 of condiment receptacle 10 to extend front panel 42 and side panels 44 and 46 outward to place condiment receptacle 10 in its open position 48 and form condiment chamber 50. A quantity of condiment 18 can then be poured, squeezed or otherwise placed into condiment chamber 50. The consumer can then dip or otherwise direct one of the food item 14, such as a french fry 16, into condiment chamber 50 to obtain a desired amount of condiment on the food item 14. With the condiment 18 in the condiment chamber 50, the consumer can hold the food container 12 in one hand and use his or her other hand to grasp one of the food items 14 for dipping into the condiment 18 without having to worry about balancing separate items. This will reduce the likelihood of spilling condiment on the consumer or his or her clothes and improve the consumer's enjoyment of the food item 14.

While there are shown and described herein specific forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to any dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape, and use. For instance, there are numerous components described herein that can be replaced with equivalent functioning components to accomplish the objectives of the present invention.

Claims

1. A condiment receptacle for use with a food container having one or more upstanding sidewalls, said condiment receptacle comprising:

a front panel;
a first side panel attached to or integral with said front panel; and
a second side panel attached to or integral with said front panel in spaced apart relation to said first side panel, each of said first side panel and said second side panel configured to extend said front panel outward from one of said one or more upstanding sidewalls to place said condiment receptacle in an open position and configured to collapse so as to place said condiment receptacle in a closed position, said front panel, said first side panel and said second side panel defining a condiment chamber for receiving a condiment therein when said condiment receptacle is in said open position, said condiment chamber open at an upper end and closed at a lower end thereof.

2. The condiment receptacle according to claim 1, wherein each of said first side panel and said second side panel comprise means for folding located thereon, said folding means configured to substantially fold each of said first side panel and said second side panel so as to place said condiment receptacle substantially flat against said sidewall.

3. The condiment receptacle according to claim 2, wherein said folding means is one or more fold lines on each of said first side panel and said second side panel.

4. The condiment receptacle according to claim 3, wherein said folding means comprises a plurality of fold lines on each of said first side panel and said second side panel, said plurality of fold lines configured to substantially accordion said first side panel and said second side panel.

5. The condiment receptacle according to claim 1 further comprising a back panel attached to or integral with each of said first side panel and said second side panel opposite said front panel, said back panel attached to said sidewall and configured to further define said condiment chamber when said condiment receptacle is in said open position.

6. The condiment receptacle according to claim 5, wherein said front panel generally abuts said back panel when said condiment receptacle is in said closed position.

7. The condiment receptacle according to claim 5 further comprising an adhesive material disposed between said back panel and said sidewall, said adhesive material configured to securely attach said back panel to said sidewall.

8. The condiment receptacle according to claim 5 further comprising a bottom panel attached to or integral with each of said front panel, said first side panel, said second side panel and said back panel to further define said condiment chamber.

9. The condiment receptacle according to claim 8, wherein said bottom panel comprises one or more bottom fold lines, said bottom fold lines configured to fold said bottom panel when said condiment receptacle is placed in said closed position.

10. The condiment receptacle according to claim 1 further comprising a pair of back members, one of said back members attached to said first side panel and the other of said back members attached to said second side panel, each of said back members attached to said sidewall.

11. The condiment receptacle according to claim 1 further comprising a bottom panel attached to or integral with each of said front panel, said first side panel and said second side panel to further define said condiment chamber.

12. The condiment receptacle according to claim 11, wherein said bottom panel comprises one or more bottom fold lines, said bottom fold lines configured to fold said bottom panel when said condiment receptacle is placed in said closed position.

13. The condiment receptacle according to claim 1, wherein said front panel has a top edge and a bottom edge, said bottom edge of said front panel in abutting relation to said sidewall when said condiment receptacle is in said open condition and said closed condition, an outward edge of each of said first side panel and said second side panel extending generally downwardly and inwardly from said top edge toward said bottom edge at said sidewall.

14. A condiment receptacle for use with a food container having one or more upstanding sidewalls, said condiment receptacle comprising:

a front panel;
a first side panel attached to or integral with said front panel, said first side panel having one or more fold lines;
a second side panel attached to or integral with said front panel in spaced apart relation to said first side panel, said second side panel having one or more fold lines, each of said first side panel and said second side panel configured to extend said front panel outward from one of said one or more upstanding sidewalls to place said condiment receptacle in an open position and configured to collapse so as to place said condiment receptacle in a closed position;
a back panel attached to or integral with each of said first side panel and said second side panel opposite said front panel, said front panel, said first side panel, said second side panel and said back panel defining a condiment chamber for receiving a condiment therein when said condiment receptacle is in said open position, said condiment chamber open at an upper end and closed at a lower end thereof; and
an adhesive material disposed between said back panel and said sidewall, said adhesive material configured to securely attach said back panel to said sidewall.

15. The condiment receptacle according to claim 14, wherein said folding means comprises a plurality of fold lines on each of said first side panel and said second side panel, said plurality of fold lines configured to substantially accordion said first side panel and said second side panel.

16. The condiment receptacle according to claim 14 further comprising a bottom panel attached to or integral with each of said front panel, said first side panel, said second side panel and said back panel to further define said condiment chamber, said bottom panel comprising one or more bottom fold lines configured to fold said bottom panel when said condiment receptacle is placed in said closed position.

17. The condiment receptacle according to claim 14, wherein said front panel has a top edge and a bottom edge, said bottom edge of said front panel in abutting relation to said sidewall when said condiment receptacle is in said open condition and said closed condition, the outward edge of each of said first side panel and said second side panel extending generally downwardly and inwardly from said top edge toward said bottom edge at said sidewall.

18. A food container for holding a food item, comprising:

a plurality of upstanding sidewalls;
a bottom wall attached to at least two of said upstanding sidewalls to define a food chamber open at an upper end and substantially closed at a lower end thereof, said food container configured to lay substantially flat when said food chamber is not utilized to hold said food item; and
a condiment receptacle attached to one of said one or more sidewalls, said condiment receptacle comprising a front panel, a first side panel attached to or integral with said front panel and a second side panel attached to or integral with said front panel in spaced apart relation to said first side panel, each of said first side panel and said second side panel having at least one fold line configured to extend said front panel outward from said sidewall to place said condiment receptacle in an open position and configured to collapse so as to place said condiment receptacle in a closed position, said front panel, said first side panel and said second side panel defining a condiment chamber for receiving a condiment therein when said condiment receptacle is in said open position, said condiment chamber open at an upper end and closed at a lower end thereof.

19. The condiment receptacle according to claim 18, wherein said condiment receptacle further comprises a back panel and an adhesive material disposed between said back panel and said sidewall, said back panel attached to or integral with each of said first side panel and said second side panel opposite said front panel and configured to further define said condiment chamber when said condiment receptacle is in said open position, said adhesive material configured to securely attach said back panel to said sidewall.

20. The condiment receptacle according to claim 18, wherein said condiment receptacle further comprises a bottom panel attached to or integral with each of said front panel, said first side panel, said second side panel and said back panel to further define said condiment chamber, said bottom panel comprising one or more bottom fold lines configured to fold said bottom panel when said condiment receptacle is placed in said closed position.

Patent History
Publication number: 20080093433
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 24, 2006
Publication Date: Apr 24, 2008
Inventor: Arthur Haroutiounian (Fresno, CA)
Application Number: 11/586,250
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Paper Or Paperboard Cup (229/400); Collapsible Cup (229/405); Compartmented Fast Food Holder Or Lap Tray (229/904); Baked Goods (229/906)
International Classification: B65D 3/00 (20060101);