Convenience foodstuff package

Abstract

A foodstuff package for convenience foodstuff such as hamburgers/sandwiches. The package includes a foodstuff gripping section ( 10 ) which has a wall ( 11 b ) with projecting upper flap elements ( 12 a and 12 b ) and corresponding lower flap elements. These enable an item of foodstuff to be gripped. In a preferred embodiment the package also includes a removable wall ( 11 a ) which combines with wall ( 11 b ) to form a collar.

1 . A foodstuff package including a foodstuff gripping section to (in use) at least partially engage about a peripheral side edge of an assembled item of foodstuff, and means to locate and maintain said gripping section with the foodstuff item prior to consumption of the foodstuff.  
   
   
       2 . A package as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the locating means is a collar ( 11 ).  
   
   
       3 . A packaging as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the collar ( 11 ) is formed at least in part by the gripping section ( 10 ).  
   
   
       4 . A package as claimed in  claim 1  or  2  wherein the collar ( 11 ) includes a portion which is removably attached ( 20 ) to the gripping section ( 10 ).  
   
   
       5 . A package as claimed in  claim 2 ,  3  or  4  wherein the collar ( 11 ) is formed by an elongate length the ends ( 14 ,  16 ) of which are provided with engagement means ( 15 ) whereby the ends can be engaged together.  
   
   
       6 . A package as claimed in anyone of  claims 1  to  5  wherein the gripping section ( 10 ) includes a side wall ( 11   b ) which, in use, engages about part of the peripheral side of a foodstuff item, and bottom wall ( 13   a ,  13   b ) projecting from the side wall ( 11   b ) to, in use, locate with an underside of the foodstuff item and an upper wall ( 12   a ,  12   b ) projecting from the side wall to, in use, locate with an upperside of the foodstuff item.  
   
   
       7 . A package as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the upper wall is formed by two wall elements ( 12   s  and  12   b ) which are inter-engageable to form said upper wall.  
   
   
       8 . A package as claimed in  claim 7  wherein each wall element ( 12   a  and  12   b ) is a flap hingedly coupled to the side wall ( 11   b ) and moveable to at least partially overlap one another.  
   
   
       9 . A package as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the wall elements ( 12   a  and  12   b ) when in the partially overlapping position are joined together by adhesive ( 19 ).  
   
   
       10 . A package as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the wall elements ( 12   a  and  12   b ) include joining means ( 21 ,  22 ) whereby the wall elements when in the at least partially overlapping position can be joined together.  
   
   
       11 . A package as claimed in any one of  claims 6  to  10  wherein the bottom wall is formed by two bottom wall elements ( 13   a  and  13   b ) which are inter-engageable to form said bottom wall.  
   
   
       12 . A package as claimed in  claim 11  wherein each bottom wall element ( 13   a  and  13   b ) is a flap hingedly coupled to the side wall ( 11   b ) and moveable to at least partially overlap one another.  
   
   
       13 . A package as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the bottom wall elements ( 13   a  and  13   b ) when in the partially overlapping position are joined together by adhesive ( 18 ).  
   
   
       14 . A package as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the bottom wall elements ( 13   a  and  13   b ) include joining means ( 21 ,  22 ) whereby the wall elements when in the at least partially overlapping position can be joined together.  
   
   
       15 . A package as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the joining means are formed by slits ( 21 ,  22 ) in each flap ( 12   a  and  12   b ).  
   
   
       16 . A package as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the joining means are formed by a slit ( 21 ,  22 ) in each bottom wall element ( 13   a  and  13   b ).  
   
   
       17 . A package as claimed in  claim 7  or  11  wherein the wall elements ( 12   a  and  12   b ) and bottom wall elements ( 13   a  and  13   b ) are of substantially oval shape.  
   
   
       18 . A package as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when formed by a paperboard blank.  
   
   
       19 . A package as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  17  when formed from plastic materials.  
   
   
       20 . A foodstuff package substantially as herein described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3  or FIGS.  4  to  7 , or  FIG. 8  of the accompanying drawings.