TRAY FOR HOLDING A PLURALITY OF FOOD PRODUCTS

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to a tray used in the food packaging industry, and more particularly, to a tray having a plurality of compartments and at least one receptacle in which the plurality of compartments hold solid and non-solid food components therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002]Individual packages holding various food products have long been available to consumers. For individual, one-time use snack packages containing, for example, chips and dip or crackers and jelly or chocolate bars and peanut butter, the container normally includes a compartment housing the solid food product and a separate compartment containing the non-solid food product. In many of these containers, the solid food product, like crackers, are stacked on top of each other in a designated compartment in a way that makes it hard for a user to remove the solid food product from the compartment one by one. This leads to consumer frustration and often one or more of the individual solid food products breaking in the process of being removed from the compartment by the user.

[0003]Furthermore, once a user is able to take one or more of the solid food products out of the compartment and dip the solid food into the non-solid food product—like a dip, peanut butter, a chocolate spread, jelly, among others—the user often acquires an excessive amount of the peanut butter onto the cracker, for example, causing a mess.

[0004]Through ingenuity and hard work, the inventors have developed a tray for holding a plurality of edible food products therein, the tray including a plurality of compartments configured to house solid and non-solid food components and at least one receptacle configured to allow a user to (1) effortlessly remove the solid food product from its designated compartment, and (2) scrape off any excess non-solid food component from the solid food component, in a separate area from that which contains the solid and non-solid food component, thereby allowing the user to enjoy the snack provided with less mess.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005]In an embodiment, the invention comprises a tray for holding a plurality of edible food products therein. The tray comprises a top surface having a plurality of compartments extending downwardly therefrom, each compartment comprising a bottom wall and at least one sidewall extending between the bottom wall and the tray top surface, wherein the bottom wall of each compartment is generally parallel to the tray top surface. The tray further comprises at least one receptacle adjacent one of the at least one compartments, the at least one receptacle comprising a bottom wall and at least one sidewall extending between the bottom wall and the tray top surface, wherein the bottom wall of the at least one receptacle is angular with respect to the tray top surface. A first compartment of the plurality of compartments is configured to house a solid food component therein, a second compartment of the plurality of compartments is configured to house a non-solid food component therein, and at least the first and second compartments are covered by at least one membrane.

[0006]In an embodiment, a first receptacle is adjacent to the first compartment, and a second receptable is adjacent the second compartment. In an embodiment, a bottom wall of the first receptacle is angled in the direction of the first compartment and a bottom wall of the second receptacle is angled in the direction of the second compartment. In an embodiment, at least one sidewall of the at least one receptacle is angular with respect to the tray top surface. In an embodiment, the at least one receptacle includes three sidewalls extending between the bottom wall of the at least one receptacle and the tray top surface.

[0007]In an embodiment, the angle of the bottom wall of the at least one receptacle is between 10 degrees and 15 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle of the at least one sidewall of the at least one receptacle is between 10 degrees and 15 degrees. In an embodiment, a top surface sidewall extends downward from the tray top surface circumscribing the plurality of compartments and the at least one receptacle. In an embodiment, a flange extends outwardly from the top surface sidewall. In an embodiment, a flange extends outwardly from the tray top surface.

[0008]In an embodiment, the first and the second compartment are separated by a first dividing member of the top surface of the tray. In an embodiment, the second receptacle is separated from the second compartment by a second dividing member of the top surface of the tray, the first receptacle is not separated from the first compartment by a dividing member, and the first receptacle is connected to an upper portion of a sidewall of the first compartment. In an embodiment, the sidewall connecting the first receptacle to the first compartment is configured to curve outwardly. In an embodiment, the curved sidewall of the first compartment allows a user to access the solid food component housed within the first compartment. In an embodiment, the second receptacle is configured to be used as a scraping-off area, and when the solid food component is dipped into the non-solid food component, a user scrapes off the excess non-solid food component on the second receptacle. In an embodiment, the angled bottom wall of the first receptacle allows a user to peel off the at least one membrane from the tray top surface.

[0009]In an embodiment, the invention comprises a tray for holding a plurality of edible food products therein. The tray comprises a top surface having a plurality of compartments extending downwardly therefrom, each compartment comprising a bottom wall and at least one sidewall extending between the bottom wall and the tray top surface, wherein the bottom wall of each compartment is generally parallel to the tray top surface. The tray further comprises at least one receptacle adjacent one of the at least one compartments, the at least one receptacle comprising a bottom wall and at least one sidewall extending between the bottom wall and the tray top surface, wherein the bottom wall of the at least one receptacle is angular with respect to the tray top surface. A first compartment of the plurality of compartments is adjacent a first receptacle, and a second compartment of the plurality of compartments is adjacent a second receptacle.

[0010]In an embodiment, the first compartment of the plurality of compartments is configured to house a solid food component therein, the second compartment of the plurality of compartments is configured to house a non-solid food component therein, and at least the first and second compartments are covered by at least one membrane. In an embodiment, a bottom wall of the first receptacle is angled in the direction of the first compartment and a bottom wall of the second receptacle is angled in the direction of the second compartment. In an embodiment, at least one sidewall of the first and the second receptacle is angular with respect to the tray top surface. In an embodiment, the at least one receptacle includes three sidewalls extending between the bottom wall of the at least one receptacle and the tray top surface.

[0011]In an embodiment, a top surface sidewall extends downward from the tray top surface circumscribing the plurality of compartments and the at least one receptacle. In an embodiment, the first and the second compartment are separated by a first dividing member of the top surface of the tray. In an embodiment, the second receptacle is separated from the second compartment by a second dividing member of the top surface of the tray, the first receptacle is not separated from the first compartment by a dividing member, and the first receptacle is connected to an upper portion of a sidewall of the first compartment.

[0012]In an embodiment, the sidewall connecting the first receptacle to the first compartment is configured to curve outwardly. In an embodiment, the curved sidewall of the first compartment allows a user to access the solid food component housed within the first compartment. In an embodiment, the second receptacle is configured to be used as a scraping-off area, and when the solid food component is dipped into the non-solid food component, a user scrapes off the excess non-solid food component on the second receptacle.

[0013]In an embodiment, the invention comprises a tray for holding a plurality of edible food products therein. The tray comprises a top surface having a plurality of compartments extending downwardly therefrom, each compartment comprising a bottom wall and at least one sidewall extending between the bottom wall and the tray top surface, wherein the bottom wall of each compartment is generally parallel to the tray top surface. The tray further comprises at least one receptacle adjacent one of the at least one compartments, the at least one receptacle comprising a bottom wall and at least one sidewall extending between the bottom wall and the tray top surface, wherein the bottom wall of the at least one receptacle is angular with respect to the tray top surface. The tray further comprises a first compartment of the plurality of compartments is adjacent a first receptacle, a second compartment of the plurality of compartments is adjacent a second receptacle, and the first receptacle is connected to an upper portion of one of the at least one sidewall of the first compartment.

[0014]In an embodiment, the first compartment of the plurality of compartments is configured to house a solid food component therein, the second compartment of the plurality of compartments is configured to house a non-solid food component therein, and at least the first and second compartments are covered by at least one membrane. In an embodiment, a bottom wall of the first receptacle is angled in the direction of the first compartment and a bottom wall of the second receptacle is angled in the direction of the second compartment. In an embodiment, at least one sidewall of the at least one receptacle is angular with respect to the tray top surface.

[0015]In an embodiment, the at least one receptacle includes three sidewalls extending between the bottom wall of the at least one receptacle and the tray top surface. In an embodiment, the first and the second compartment are separated by a first dividing member of the top surface of the tray, and the second receptacle is separated from the second compartment by a second dividing member of the top surface of the tray. In an embodiment, the sidewall connecting the first receptacle to the first compartment is configured to curve outwardly, and the curved sidewall of the first compartment allows a user to access the solid food component housed within the first compartment. In an embodiment, the second receptacle is configured to be used as a scraping-off area, and when the solid food component is dipped into the non-solid food component, a user scrapes off the excess non-solid food component on the second receptacle. In an embodiment, the angled bottom wall of the first receptacle allows a user to peel off the at least one membrane from the tray top surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0016]Having thus described the present disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a tray having a plurality of compartments and receptacles, the compartments housing edible food products therein, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a top side perspective view of the tray of FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019]FIGS. 3-4 are side bottom views of the tray of FIG. 1 illustrating the plurality of compartments and receptacles each having a bottom wall and at least one sidewall, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0020]FIG. 5 is a close-up perspective view of a first compartment and a first receptacle in which the first receptacle is connect to the sidewall of the first compartment, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0021]While this present disclosure may be embodied in many forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one or more embodiments, with the understanding that this disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the illustrated embodiments.

[0022]Generally speaking, the present invention is directed to a tray 10 for holding a plurality of edible food products therein. The tray comprises a bottom surface 11 and a top surface 12, the top surface 12 having a plurality of compartments extending downwardly therefrom. In an embodiment, each compartment comprises a bottom wall and at least one sidewall extending between the bottom wall and the tray top surface 12. In an embodiment, the bottom wall of each compartment is generally parallel to the tray top surface 12. In an embodiment, at least one receptacle is positioned adjacent one of the at least one compartments, the at least one receptacle comprising a bottom wall and at least one sidewall extending between the bottom wall and the tray top surface 12. In an embodiment, the bottom wall of the at least one receptacle is angular with respect to the tray top surface 12.

[0023]In an embodiment, the tray 10 may have as many compartments as desired, with the bottom wall of each compartment being generally parallel to the tray top surface 12. In other embodiments, the tray 10 may include as many receptacles as desired, with the bottom wall of the at least one receptacle being angular with respect to the tray top surface 12. In an embodiment, while FIGS. 1-5 show the tray 10 as being generally rectangular in shape, the tray 10 may include any shape known in the art. In an embodiment, the shape of the tray 10 may be generally square, rectangular, triangular, circular, ovular, elliptical or any other shape known in the art. Furthermore, while FIGS. 1-5 show the plurality of compartments as being generally rectangular in shape, the compartments may include any shape desired. In an embodiment, the shape of the plurality of compartments may be generally square, rectangular, triangular, circular, ovular or any other shape known in the art. In still other embodiments, the plurality of compartments can each have different compartment shapes.

[0024]In an embodiment, the plurality of compartments may include a first compartment 20 and a second compartment 30, and the at least one receptacle may include a first receptacle 24 and a second receptacle 34, as will be explained in greater detail herein. FIG. 1 illustrates the tray 10 having a first compartment 20 and a second compartment 30. In an embodiment, the first and second compartments 20, 30 comprise a bottom wall 20a, 30a and four sidewalls, as shown in FIGS. 3-4. In an embodiment, the first and second compartments 20, 30 include at least one sidewall and, in some embodiments, may include as many sidewalls as desired. Additionally, in some embodiments, the compartments 20, 30 may include as many bottom walls as desired and, thus, may include multiple bottom walls connected together. As shown, the sidewalls of the compartments 20, 30 extend between the bottom walls 20a, 30a and the tray top surface 12. In an embodiment, the bottom walls 20a, 30a are generally parallel to the tray top surface 12 and the tray bottom surface 11. In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4-5 and discussed in greater detail below, the first compartment 20 may include a sidewall 20b configured to be curved outwardly, i.e., the sidewall 20b may include an indentation.

[0025]In an embodiment, the first compartment 20 is positioned adjacent a first receptacle 24 and the second compartment 30 is positioned adjacent a second receptacle 34. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the first and the second compartments 20, 30 are separated by a first dividing member 14 of the tray 10. In certain embodiments, the dividing member 14 allows the first and second compartments 20, 30 to house a plurality of food products therein without the possibility of the plurality of food products mixing. In an embodiment, the second receptacle 34 is separated from the second compartment 30 by a second dividing member 16 of the tray 10. In an embodiment, the dividing members 14, 16 each comprise part of the tray top surface 12. In certain embodiments, the second receptacle 34 may not be separated from the second compartment 30 by a dividing member. In some embodiments, the second receptacle 34 may be connected to an upper portion of a sidewall of the second compartment 30, and thus not separated from the second compartment 30 by a dividing member.

[0026]In an embodiment, each compartment is designed to house food products. In certain embodiments, the first compartment 20 is configured to house a solid food component 21 therein (see FIG. 1). In an embodiment, the solid food component 21 may be any edible solid food product sold on the market. In some embodiment, the solid food component 21 may include chocolate bars, chips, crackers, cookies, fruits, vegetables, dried fruits or vegetables, dried meats, among others. In other embodiments, the second compartment 30 is configured to house a non-solid food component 31 therein. In an embodiment, the non-solid food component 31 may be any edible non-solid food product sold on the market. In some embodiment, the non-solid food component 31 may include peanut butter, jelly, melted chocolate, dip, cheese, salsa, among others. In certain embodiments, a third compartment may extend downwardly from the top surface 12 of the tray 10 including a bottom wall and at least one sidewall, wherein the at least one sidewall extends between the bottom wall and the tray top surface 12 with the bottom wall being generally parallel to the tray top surface 12. In these embodiments, the third compartment may include an additional solid or non-solid food component therein.

[0027]In an embodiment, when manufactured and even after packaged and sealed, the tray receptacles may not include any food components therein. That is, in an embodiment, the tray may be sold, in its final form, with empty receptacles.

[0028]In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the bottom walls 24a, 34a of the first and second receptacles 24, 34 are generally angular with respect to the tray top surface 12. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the bottom wall 24a of the first receptacle 24 is generally angled in the direction of the first compartment 20, such that the deepest portion of the first receptacle 24 is nearest the first compartment 20. In an embodiment, the angle of the bottom wall 24a of the first receptacle 24, as compared to the tray top surface 12, is between 5 degrees and 20 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle of the bottom wall 24a of the first receptacle 24, as compared to the tray top surface 12, is between 10 degrees and 15 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle of the bottom wall 24a of the first receptacle 24, as compared to the tray top surface 12, is between 12 degrees and 13 degrees. In other embodiments, the bottom wall 34a of the second receptacle 34 is generally angled in the direction of the second compartment 30, such that the deepest portion of the second receptacle 34 is nearest the second compartment 30. In an embodiment, the angle of the bottom wall 34a of the second receptacle 34, as compared to the tray top surface 12, is between 5 degrees and 20 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle of the bottom wall 34a of the second receptacle 34, as compared to the tray top surface 12, is between 10 degrees and 15 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle of the bottom wall 34a of the second receptacle 34, as compared to the tray top surface 12, is between 12 degrees and 13 degrees. In yet another embodiment, one or both of the bottom walls 24a, 34a of the first and second receptacles 24, 34 may not be generally angular with respect to the tray top surface 12 and may instead be configured to be linear and parallel with respect to the tray top surface 12. In an embodiment, at least one sidewall of the first and second receptacles 24, 34 may also be configured to be angular with respect to the tray top surface 12. In an embodiment, the angle of the at least one sidewall of the first and second receptacles 24, 34 is between 85 degrees and 105 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle of the at least one sidewall of the first and second receptacles 24, 34 is between 90 degrees and 100 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle of the at least one sidewall of the first and second receptacles 24, 34 is between 93 degrees and 97 degrees.

[0029]In certain embodiments, the number of sidewalls of the at least one receptacle of the tray 10 may vary in number as desired based on the specific use of the tray 10 and the number of compartments. In certain embodiments, the receptacles 24, 34 may include four sidewalls and a bottom wall 24a, 34a that is generally angular to the tray top surface 12. In an embodiment, at least one receptacle may include three sidewalls extending between the bottom wall of the at least one receptacle and the tray top surface 12. In an embodiment, the second receptacle 34 may have three sidewalls, including two opposite vertical sidewalls 34b, 34d and a third sidewall 34c disposed between the two opposite sidewalls 34b, 34d. In an embodiment, the third sidewall 34c may be configured to be angular with respect to the top surface 12, while in other embodiments the third sidewall 34c may be perpendicular to the top surface 12. In further embodiments, the sidewall 34b and/or the sidewall 34d may be configured to be angular with respect to the bottom wall 34a.

[0030]In another embodiment, the first receptacle 24 may include only two opposite vertical sidewalls 24b, 24c with no third sidewall. In an embodiment, the transition from the top surface 12, along the bottom wall 24a, to the sidewall 20b may be a smooth angular transition. In an embodiment, while the sidewalls and the bottom wall of the first and second receptacles 24, 34 are configured to be linear in shape, any shape known in the art may be used. In an embodiment, the first receptacle 24 may comprise a thumb or finger hold for the user. In certain embodiments, the at least one receptacle of the tray 10 may include no bottom wall and instead four sidewalls, an opposite two of which are angular (not parallel or perpendicular to the top surface 12) and meet at an apex 35. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the second receptacle 34 may include four sidewalls 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d. In an embodiment, the sidewalls 34a and 34c are not parallel or perpendicular to the top surface 12 but rather angular to the tray top surface 12. In an embodiment, the angle of the sidewalls 34a and 34c is between 5 degrees and 20 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle of the sidewalls 34a and 34c is between 10 degrees and 15 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle of the sidewalls 34a and 34c is between 12 degrees and 13 degrees. In certain embodiments, the angle of the sidewalls 34a and 34c may create an obtuse triangular receptacle 34.

[0031]In some embodiments, the first receptacle 24 may be separated from the first compartment 20 by a dividing member. In other embodiments, as shown, the first receptacle 24 is not separated from the first compartment 20 by a dividing member or any other element. In these embodiments, the first receptacle 24 may be connected to an upper portion of one of the sidewalls (such as sidewall 20b) of the first compartment 20. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the first receptacle 24 may connect to the first compartment by a depression 22 positioned between the first compartment 20 and the first receptacle 24. In an embodiment, the depression 22 may be used as a finger insert portion that allows a user to insert a finger or other removal means or tool to assist in removal of the food component housed within the first compartment 20. In an embodiment, the top of the first and second compartments 20, 30 may be covered by at least one membrane.

[0032]As shown, in an embodiment, because of the indentation or depression 22, the sidewall 20b of the first compartment 20 does not have the same sidewall length as the other sidewalls of the compartment 20. Thus, in certain embodiments, the sidewall 20b of the first compartment 20 has a smaller sidewall length than the other sidewalls of the compartment 20. In an embodiment, the sidewall 20b of the first compartment 20 connecting the first receptacle 24 to the first compartment 20 may further be configured to curve outwardly (see FIGS. 4-5), with respect to the internal space of the first compartment 20. In an embodiment, the curved sidewall 20b of the first compartment 20 creates a space between the curved sidewall 20b and the food component 21 housed within the first compartment 20 (see FIG. 1). In an embodiment, the space created by the curved sidewall 20b allows a user to access the food component housed within the first compartment 20. In an embodiment, a finger or fingernail may be inserted into the cavity of the first compartment 20, adjacent curved sidewall 20b, to contact the edge of the food component 21 and thereby lift the solid food component 21 from the first compartment 20, ideally without breaking the solid food component 21. In an embodiment, one or more other sidewalls of the first compartment 20 may also be configured to curve outwardly. In yet another embodiment, the tray 10 may comprise a third compartment housing a solid food component therein. In these embodiments, one or more sidewalls of the third compartment may be configured to curve outwardly.

[0033]Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first and second compartments 20, 30 may include an indented portion 26, 36 within the compartments 20, 30 on an upper portion of the sidewalls of the compartments 20, 30. In an embodiment, the indented portion 26 may be positioned opposite the receptacle 24. In other embodiments, the indented portion 36 may be positioned opposite the receptacle 34. In an embodiment, the indented portions 26, 36 may be continuous around three sidewalls of the peripheral top edge of the compartments 20, 30. In an embodiment, the indented portion 26, 36 includes a shelf. In an embodiment, the diameter from the indented portion 26 to the opposite sidewall 20b is greater than that of the lower portion 23 of the sidewall 20b and the adjacent sidewall. This indented portion may further aid a user in lifting the food components out of the compartments 20, 30 and/or aid in placing the food components within the compartments 20, 30 during the packaging process. In an embodiment, the food component may be sized to fit snugly within the lower portion 22, 23 of the compartments 20, 30. Additionally, in an embodiment, the second receptacle 34 is configured to be used as a scraping off area for the non-solid food component 31 housed within the second compartment 30. In certain embodiments, when the solid food component 21 is dipped into the non-solid food component 31, a user may scrape off any excess non-solid food component 31 on the sidewalls 34b, 34c, 34d of the second receptacle 34.

[0034]In an embodiment, a top surface sidewall 17 extends downward from the tray top surface 12 circumscribing the tray 10. In an embodiment, a flange 18 may extend outwardly from the top surface sidewall 17, as shown. In other embodiments, a flange may extend outwardly from the tray top surface 12. In an embodiment, the flange allows for more stability to the tray 10. In certain embodiments, the tray 10 may be made of rigid or semi rigid material. In some embodiments, the tray 10 is made of a polymeric material, paperboard, or some combination thereof, among other options. The tray may be formed using any method known in the art. In an embodiment, the tray top surface 12 is covered and sealed by at least one membrane after filling with the respective food products. In an embodiment, the tray top surface 12 is covered and sealed by two membranes: one that covers compartment 30 and one that covers compartment 20 and receptacle 24. In another embodiment, the tray top surface 12 is covered and sealed by two membranes: one that covers compartment 30 and receptacle 34 and one that covers compartment 20 and receptacle 24. Other combinations are possible. In an embodiment, the peelable membrane is sealed thermally or by an adhesive, to initially seal the compartments and keep the food products within the compartments fresh. In an embodiment, a sleeve may further surround the entire tray 10. In some embodiments, the at least one membrane and/or the sleeve may contain printing materials thereon and/or may be transparent to allow prospective consumers to view the contents within the compartments.

[0035]In use, a user may remove the at least one membrane that is covering the first and the second compartments 20, 30. In an embodiment, because of the indentation 21 between the first receptacle 24 and the first compartment 20, a user may be able to insert a finger or other removal means or tools to remove the solid food component 21 housed within the first compartment 20. In addition, because of the curved sidewall 20b of the first compartment 20, space is created between the sidewall 20b of the first compartment 20 and the solid food component 21 therein, further allowing the user to use a finger to lift out the solid food component 21 therein. Once the solid food component 21 is taken out of the compartment 20, the user may dip the solid food component 21 into the non-solid food component 31 housed within the second compartment 30. Once dipped, the user may then use the sidewalls 34b, 34c, 34d of the second receptacle 34 to scrape off any excess non-solid food component 31 that the user does not desire to consume at that moment. The invention creates an enjoyable snack for the user with a customizable proportion of solid to non-solid food component.

[0036]Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.