Disposable food tray

Abstract

A disposable food tray that includes one or more strength-enhancing features to increase the strength and rigidity of the tray is provided. For example, in one embodiment, the disposable tray includes an inner wall that is curved and that includes a curved recessed portion. If desired, the corner sections of the tray can be provided with a ledge to improve the strength and ability of the trays to be stacked and shipped without breaking or bending. In one embodiment, the tray is also formed from a microcellular-foamed polystyrene material that can further enhance the strength and rigidity of the resulting tray.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A disposable tray for holding a food item or a beverage container, said disposable tray comprising: 
 a base portion having an upper surface and a lower surface that define a peripheral edge;    a sidewall extending upwardly from said peripheral edge of said base portion to form an upper edge of the tray;    a first inner wall disposed within the periphery of said base portion and extending upwardly from said upper surface of said base portion, wherein said first inner wall is curved;    a second inner wall disposed within the periphery of said base portion and extending upwardly from said upper surface of said base portion;    first and second compartments defined by said base portion, said sidewall, said first inner wall, said second inner wall, or combinations thereof, wherein a food item or beverage container is capable of being disposed on said upper surface of said base portion within said first compartment and said second compartment; and    wherein at least one of said inner walls defines a curved recessed portion that is capable of enhancing the strength of the tray.    
     
     
         2 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said side wall defines at least one rounded corner.  
     
     
         3 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said rounded corner includes a ledge portion that is substantially parallel to said upper surface of said base portion.  
     
     
         4 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said upper edge of said sidewall defines a rounded lip.  
     
     
         5 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tray is formed as a continuous structure.  
     
     
         6 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tray is formed from a microcellular-foamed polymer.  
     
     
         7 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tray is formed from a microcellular-foamed polystyrene material.  
     
     
         8 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said inner walls has an end that extends from said sidewall.  
     
     
         9 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a third compartment.  
     
     
         10 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 9 , wherein at least one of said first, said second, or said third compartments includes a ridge for securely holding a beverage container.  
     
     
         11 . A disposable tray for holding a food item or a beverage container, said disposable tray comprising: 
 a base portion having an upper surface and a lower surface that define a peripheral edge;    a sidewall extending upwardly from said peripheral edge of said base portion to form an upper edge of the tray, said sidewall defining at least one rounded corner that includes a ledge portion that is substantially parallel to said upper surface of said base portion;    a curved inner wall disposed within the periphery of said base portion and extending upwardly from said upper surface of said base portion, wherein said curved inner wall further defines a curved recessed portion that is capable of enhancing the strength of the tray; and    first and second compartments defined by said base portion, said sidewall, said inner wall, or combinations thereof, wherein a food item or beverage container is capable of being disposed on said upper surface of said base portion within said first compartment and said second compartment.    
     
     
         12 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of said upper edge of said sidewall defines a rounded lip.  
     
     
         13 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the tray is formed as a continuous structure.  
     
     
         14 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the tray is formed from a microcellular-foamed polymer.  
     
     
         15 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the tray is formed from a microcellular-foamed polystyrene material.  
     
     
         16 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said inner walls has an end that extends from said sidewall.  
     
     
         17 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 11 , further comprising a third compartment.  
     
     
         18 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said first, said second, or said third compartments includes a ridge for securely holding a beverage container.  
     
     
         19 . A disposable tray for holding a food item or a beverage container, said disposable tray being formed as a continuous structure from a microcellular-foamed polymer material, said disposable tray comprising: 
 a base portion having an upper surface and a lower surface that define a peripheral edge;    a sidewall extending upwardly from said peripheral edge of said base portion to form an upper edge of the tray, wherein at least a portion of said upper edge of said sidewall defines a rounded lip, said sidewall defining at least one rounded corner that includes a ledge portion that is substantially parallel to said upper surface of said base portion;    a curved inner wall disposed within the periphery of said base portion and extending upwardly from said upper surface of said base portion, wherein said curved inner wall further defines a curved recessed portion that is capable of enhancing the strength of the tray; and    first and second compartments defined by said base portion, said sidewall, said inner wall, or combinations thereof, wherein a food item or beverage container is capable of being disposed on said upper surface of said base portion within said first compartment and said second compartment.    
     
     
         20 . A disposable tray as defined in  claim 19 , further comprising a third compartment.  
     
     
         21 . A disposable tray as defined in claim  20 , wherein at least one of said first, said second, or said third compartments includes a ridge for securely holding a beverage container.