초록 ▼

A collapsible, disposable food container includes a main body which is selectively adjustable between an operative, open position and a collapsed, flat position thereof. The container is constructed from a unitary piece of flat stock material folded to define front, back, side, and bottom walls. The

A collapsible, disposable food container includes a main body which is selectively adjustable between an operative, open position and a collapsed, flat position thereof. The container is constructed from a unitary piece of flat stock material folded to define front, back, side, and bottom walls. The container includes a main body having a bottom portion which is shaped substantially as a truncated cone, when the container is in its operative position, such that the bottom portion may be inserted in and stably engage the walls of a circular opening, such as a vehicle cup holder. Most preferably, the lower portion of the main body fits within a circular area 2.75 inches in diameter. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each side wall includes an indentable gripping brace region, intermediate of upper and lower portions of the side wall, which can be flexed inwardly of the upper and lower portions of the side wall, when inwardly directed pressure is applied thereto. It is preferable that the indentable gripping brace regions be substantially football shaped. In an optional embodiment of the invention, the container further includes a secondary, body integrally formed with the main body, for holding auxiliary foodstuffs such as condiments. Where used, the secondary body defines a pocket connected to one of the front, back or side walls of the main body.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A collapsible, disposable food container, comprising a main body;said main body being selectively adjustable between an operative, open position and a collapsed, flat position;said main body being constructed from a unitary piece of flat stock material folded to define a front wall

[ We claim:] [1.] A collapsible, disposable food container, comprising a main body;said main body being selectively adjustable between an operative, open position and a collapsed, flat position;said main body being constructed from a unitary piece of flat stock material folded to define a front wall, a back wall, a pair of opposed side walls, and a bottom wall,wherein each of said side walls includes an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion, said middle portion of each side wall comprising an indentable gripping brace region;wherein said front wall has a pair of opposed medial arcuate cutouts formed therein for supportively reinforcing the indentable gripping brace regions of the side walls; andwherein a lower portion of said main body is tapered, such that said container may be inserted in, and stably engage the walls of a circular opening, when said main body is in said operative position. [10.] A method of using a disposable container for foodstuffs, comprising the steps of:a) pressing upwardly on a bottom wall of the container to bow it upwardly and form it into an outwardly concave shape;b) pressing inwardly on two indentable gripping brace regions formed medially in opposite side walls of the container in a manner such that said gripping brace regions align with, and are reinforcingly supported by, opposed arcuate medial cutouts formed in a wall of the container which is substantially transverse to the side walls when the container is in an open position thereof; whereby the gripping brace regions temporarily and disengagably lock the container in said open position. The method of claim 10, wherein each of the gripping brace regions of the container includes first and second convex side edges which intersect one another to define first and second end points.