Fast food container with separable bottom trough

Abstract

A fast food container enables construction of a stacked food item in a substantially horizontal configuration, then containment thereof. When assembled to contain the fast food item, the fast food container includes a lower receptacle portion and an upper tray portion. To consume the fast food item, the upper tray portion is opened, while the lower receptacle portion of the fast food container remains closed.

1 . A container for a stackable fast food item comprising: 
 a lower receptacle portion constructed and arranged to fit around a lower portion of the food item and minimize the movement of the food item therein;    an upper tray portion constructed and arranged to enclose the upper portion of the food item;    said lower receptacle portion being openable to allow for assembly of the food item on the open lower receptacle portion in a substantially horizontal orientation and then closable for surrounding the lower portion of the food item;    said upper tray portion being closable around the upper portion of the food item when said lower receptacle portion surrounds the lower portion of the food item and then openable while said lower portion remains around the lower portion of the food item to expose the upper portion of the food item.    
   
   
       2 . The container as defined in  claim 1  formed from a single-piece flat template.  
   
   
       3 . The container as defined in  claim 2  wherein the container is held together by slots and tabs formed in said flat piece template.  
   
   
       4 . The container as defined in  claim 2  wherein the container is held together by glue.  
   
   
       5 . The container as defined in  claim 1  formed from a moldable material.  
   
   
       6 . A system for enabling the assembly of a food item in a substantially horizontal orientation and the providing for the consumption of the food item in a substantially vertical orientation, said system comprising: 
 a lower receptacle portion configurable to enable the substantially horizontal assembly of a food item thereon;    said lower receptacle portion being further configurable to surround a portion of the food item and to keep the assembled food item together when the food item is moved to a substantially vertical orientation;    an upper tray portion configurable to contain the food item when said lower receptacle portion surrounds the food item;    said upper tray portion being further configurable to open when said lower receptacle portion surrounds the food item to permit access to the food item in a substantially vertical orientation.    
   
   
       7 . The system as defined in  claim 6  wherein said lower receptacle portion and said upper tray portion are formed from a single-piece flat template.  
   
   
       8 . The system as defined in  claim 7  wherein said lower receptacle portion and said upper tray portion are held together by tabs and slots formed in said single-piece flat template.  
   
   
       9 . The system as defined in  claim 7  wherein said lower receptacle portion and said upper tray portion are held together by glue.  
   
   
       10 . The system as defined in  claim 6  wherein said lower receptacle portion and said upper tray portion are formed from a moldable material.  
   
   
       11 . A method for preparation, containment, and gaining access to a multi-layer food item, said method comprising the steps of: 
 placing a food container in a substantially horizontal orientation so that the multi-layered food item may be prepared thereon;    containing said assembled multi-layered food item within a lower receptacle portion of said food container and an upper tray portion of said food container;    gaining access to the multi-layered food item when in a substantially vertical orientation by opening said upper tray portion of said food container while said food item remains contained within said lower portion of said food container.    
   
   
       12 . The method as defined in  claim 11  wherein said food container is formed from a single-piece flat template.  
   
   
       13 . The method as defined in  claim 12  wherein said single-piece flat template is formed into said food container by the interconnection of tabs and slots formed in said single-piece flat template.  
   
   
       14 . The method as defined in  claim 12  wherein said single-piece flat template is formed into said food container by gluing together portions of said single-piece flat template.  
   
   
       15 . The method as defined in  claim 11  wherein said food container is formed from a moldable material.