Food carry-out container and integrated detachable coupon package

Abstract

This invention relates to an integrated detachable coupon container, wherein said coupon(s) is/are formed by perforations strategically sited on the container design in such a manner to permit them to be readily detached by the ultimate consumer and used as redeemable coupons, without impairing the structural integrity of the packaging. The detachable portions of the container are printed with advertising materials in the form of redeemable coupons. Further the container includes perforations strategically placed along the bottom of the packaging which permit the end user to fold out supports integrated into the container which are sufficiently strong an properly placed so as to support the weight of the container and the intended contents, and to protect a table or other surface(s) on which the container may be placed.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A container comprising one or more inner layer(s), one or more outer layer(s) adapted to have indicia imprinted on at least the outer surface thereof, and an adhesive disposed between said layers for laminating said inner and outer layer(s) to each other to form a container wall, 
 wherein said outer layer(s) of said container have at least one manually removable section at a predetermined exterior surface area thereof, enclosed by a tear outline comprising a series of perforations, scorings, or both, penetrating through said outer layer(s) to a depth which does not penetrate said inner layer(s), 
 wherein said perforations and/or scorings are formed in said container subsequent to the lamination of said inner and outer layer(s) to each other,  
 and wherein said removable section is peelable from said container along said tear outline, leaving said inner layer(s) intact.  
   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said tear outline is generally rectangular in configuration, 
 wherein, optionally, the major portion of at least one side thereof comprising a continuous scoring to produce a slit, to facilitate the separation of said removable section from said container.    
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said container wall is composed of materials selected from the group consisting of cardboard, corrugated cardboard, chipboard, plastic, and paper.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein said container wall is corrugated cardboard.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the laminating adhesive adhering said layers together is a wax substance.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein only the outer ply of said container wall is die cut and/or perforated along the edges of said removable coupon portion.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said removable section comprises a plurality of smaller removable sections separated by perforation and/or scoring lines.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said container is a food container.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein said food container is a pizza pie container.  
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said container has three or more side walls, a bottom panel, and a top closure panel, said side walls being attached to said bottom panel along the periphery of said bottom panel, said bottom panel and said side walls defining an interior compartment.  
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein said container has four side walls oriented in a rectangular configuration.  
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , additionally comprising three or more fold out support legs located substantially along the periphery of said bottom panel and created by perforations along said bottom panel of said container, wherein said support legs elevate said container above the plane of the surface on which said container is placed.  
     
     
         13 . A pizza pie container comprising one or more inner layer(s), one or more outer layer(s) adapted to have indicia imprinted on at least the outer surface thereof, and an adhesive disposed between said layers for laminating said inner and outer layer(s) to each other to form a container wall selected from the group consisting of cardboard and corrugated cardboard, 
 wherein said outer layer(s) of said container have at least one manually removable section at a predetermined exterior surface area thereof, enclosed by a tear outline comprising a series of perforations, scorings, or both, penetrating through said outer layer(s) to a depth which does not penetrate said inner layer(s), 
 wherein said tear outline is generally rectangular in configuration,  
 wherein said perforations and/or scorings are formed in said container subsequent to the lamination of said inner and outer layer(s) to each other,  
 and wherein said removable section is peelable from said container along said tear outline, leaving said inner layer(s) intact.  
   
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , additionally comprising three or more fold out support legs located substantially along the periphery of said bottom panel and created by perforations along said bottom panel of said container, wherein said support legs elevate said container above the plane of the surface on which said container is placed.