Product container with fold-down lid

Abstract

The container has a body with an integral lid extending upwardly from an upper edge portion thereof. A score line is provided between the container body and the lid, permitting the lid to be folded over to a closed position against the opposite side of the container, the lid being shaped so that it conforms to the shape of the container body. The lid has an edge portion which is foldable upwardly along the container body and can be sealed against the container body to produce a secure seal. Preferably, the score line is a straight line parallel to the bottom of the container, resulting in a flat lid, and preferably the lid is sealed to the container body in a horizontal position, thereby providing a flat horizontal surface to facilitate stacking and shipping.

1 . A disposable container, comprising a container body having an integral lid extending upwardly from an upper edge portion thereof, provided with a score line between the container body and the lid, permitting the lid to be folded over to a closed position against an opposite side of the container, the lid being shaped so that it conforms generally to the shape of the container body when in said closed position, the lid being sealable against the container body.  
   
   
       2 . A disposable container as in  claim 1 , said lid having an edge portion foldable from a main portion of said lid, said edge portion being sealable against the container body to seal said lid.  
   
   
       3 . A disposable container as in  claim 1 , wherein said score line is a straight line, thereby resulting in a planar lid.  
   
   
       4 . A disposable container as in  claim 3 , wherein said straight line is substantially parallel to the bottom of the container.  
   
   
       5 . A disposable container as in  claim 4 , wherein said lid is sealable to the container body in a substantially horizontal position, thereby providing a generally planar substantially horizontal lid surface to facilitate stacking and shipping.  
   
   
       6 . A disposable container as in  claim 1 , further comprising means for accessing the interior of said container once sealed, said access means being selected from the group consisting of: at least one puncture point in said lid for puncture by puncture means; a removable cover over an opening in said lid; a pull tab extending upwardly from the lid, which would permit the seal between the lid and the body to be broken; a pull tab arranged to separate at least part of a seam running across said lid.  
   
   
       7 . A disposable container as in  claim 2 , further comprising means for accessing the interior of said container once sealed, said access means being selected from the group consisting of: at least one puncture point in said lid for puncture by puncture means; a removable cover over an opening in said lid; a pull tab extending upwardly from the lid, which would permit the seal between the lid and the body to be broken; a pull tab arranged to separate at least part of a seam running across said lid.  
   
   
       8 . A disposable container as in  claim 3 , further comprising means for accessing the interior of said container once sealed, said access means being selected from the group consisting of: at least one puncture point in said lid for puncture by puncture means; a removable cover over an opening in said lid; a pull tab extending upwardly from the lid, which would permit the seal between the lid and the body to be broken; a pull tab arranged to separate at least part of a seam running across said lid.  
   
   
       9 . A disposable container as in  claim 4 , further comprising means for accessing the interior of said container once sealed, said access means being selected from the group consisting of: at least one puncture point in said lid for puncture by puncture means; a removable cover over an opening in said lid; a pull tab extending upwardly from the lid, which would permit the seal between the lid and the body to be broken; a pull tab arranged to separate at least part of a seam running across said lid.  
   
   
       10 . A disposable container as in  claim 5 , further comprising means for accessing the interior of said container once sealed, said access means being selected from the group consisting of: at least one puncture point in said lid for puncture by puncture means; a removable cover over an opening in said lid; a pull tab extending upwardly from the lid, which would permit the seal between the lid and the body to be broken; a pull tab arranged to separate at least part of a seam running across said lid.