BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

A combination food container and eating tray suitable for use in the catered and prepared food industry, formed from a container with two access openings. More particularly, a food container having an eating tray which is formed by folding down the front panel of the container.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The expansion of the catered and prepared food industry over the last several years has increased demand for suitable containers. The box lunch container, well known in the catered and prepared food industry, generally comprises a cardboard food container that opens at the top for easy removal of food items to be consumed.

The box lunch container and other similar prepared food containers require sufficient table space upon which to place the food items for consumption and often require additional materials such as paper plates to avoid soiling the table. This problem is particularly acute in a conference or seminar setting where conference materials already occupy a substantial portion of the table space.

Applicant has devised the present invention to solve such soiling and space and problems by extending the prepared food container to include a suitable eating tray in a single novel design, dimensioned to accommodate typical prepared meals.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a box with two access openings. One such opening is the hinged top panel which provides access to the food items within the container. The second such opening is the hinged front panel which provides an eating tray in combination with the bottom panel of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Drawing sheet 1 of 1 shows a perspective drawing of the combination food container and eating tray with the top panel and eating tray opened and extended as they would be during use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to drawing sheet 1 of 1, one embodiment of the combination prepared food container and eating tray comprises a bottom panel (11), a rear panel (12) extending from the bottom panel, a first opposing side panel (13) extending from the bottom panel, a second opposing side panel (14) extending from the bottom panel, a hinged closable top panel (15) extending from the rear panel, and a hinged closable front panel with rim on three sides (16) extending from the bottom panel and providing the eating tray area, all panels dimensioned to accommodate typical catered meals.

One size of the present invention, corresponding to a typical box lunch container, is a first and second opposing side panel dimension of three (3) inches high and five (5) inches wide, with the bottom panel nine (9) inches long, and bottom and rear panels of corresponding dimension, and with the top panel five (5) inches wide and nine (9) inches long such that it completely closes the top opening of the box. The front panel in this configuration is three (3) inches high and nine (9) inches long with a rim of one-half (Â½) inches in height.

Alternative embodiments include other dimensions to accommodate prepared meals of various sizes, to provide a suitably sized eating tray, and to maintain the proper dimensions to enable the box to completely close.

Further embodiments include top panel and front panel closures, including but not limited to adhesive materials, hooks, string, ribbon, and tab and slot.

Still further embodiments include manufacture of the present invention from a unitary blank which is scored and folded and manufactured from commercially available paperboard which may also be laminated or coated.

A person familiar with the art and use of the present invention may recognize that other modifications and changes are possible. Such modifications are envisioned by applicant as being part of the scope of the present invention and claims.