Paper food container

Abstract

A food container has an integrated lid and an arcuate recess. The arcuate recess provides a sightline to determine when the container is full and cooperates with the lid when the lid is closed. The lid of the food container is integrally formed with a wall section of the food container. A score line separates the lid section from the wall section, and the lid section can be moved from an open position to a closed position by folding along the score line. The score line preferably extends partially about the container between first and second points on an upper edge of the container, and the arcuate recess extends about the remainder of the container between the first and second points on the upper edge of the container.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a base; and    a body having a wall section and a lid section; 
 the wall section extending from the base to a top edge to define an inner space within the container, the top edge having an arcuate section such that the top edge dips from a first height above the base to a second lower height above the base; and  
 the lid section being integrally formed with the wall section with an arcuate score line disposed between the lid section and the wall section, the score line extending from a first point along said top edge to a second point along the top edge and being sufficiently deep to hingedly link the lid section to the wall section, the lid section being movable from an open position to a closed position by hingedly folding along the score line.  
   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the perimeter of the base comprises a circle.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the arcuate section on the top edge of the wall section has a substantially similar shape to that of the arcuate score line between the lid section and the wall section.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the arcuate section of the top edge of the wall section is diametrically opposed to the arcuate score line between the lid section and the wall section.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the arcuate section of the top edge is substantially symmetrical with the arcuate score line.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the arcuate section on the top edge of the wall section and the arcuate score line are substantially symmetrical and are disposed on opposites sides of the wall section.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the height of the top edge at its lowest point corresponds with a desired fill level of the container.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the lid section is configured to have bi-stable positioning.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid section adjacent the score line has a convex outer side when the lid section lies in the open position and has a concave outer side when the lid lies in the closed position.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid section includes an outer edge that extends between the first and second points on the upper edge and at least a section of the outer edge having a curved shape.  
   
   
       11 . A container comprising: 
 a base; and    a body having a score line that defines at least a wall and an integral lid, the wall extending upward from the base and including an arcuate section along a top edge of the wall, the arcuate section being disposed above the base such that a point on the arcuate section, which is closest to the base, corresponds with a desired fill level of the container, and the arcuate section and the score line are disposed on opposite sides of the base.    
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the lid is configured to be used as a scoop when in the open position.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the lid is configured to have bi-stable positioning.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 11  wherein when the lid is in a closed position a first side of the top edge substantially meets a second side of the top edge.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 11  wherein a point of intersection of the arcuate section and the score line is an axial distance of 1 inch to 2.5 inches from the point on the arcuate section which is closest to the base.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 15  wherein a point of intersection of the arcuate section and the score line is an axial distance of 1.25 inches to 1.75 inches from the point on the arcuate section which is closest to the base.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the arcuate section comprises ⅓ to ⅔ of the top edge of the wall.  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 11  wherein a cross-section of the container has a radius R, and wherein a point of intersection of the arcuate section and the score line is a radial distance of 0.8 R to 1.2 R from the point on the arcuate section, which is closest to the base.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 11  wherein a cross-section of the container has a radius R, and wherein a point of intersection of the arcuate section and the score line is a radial distance of ⅔ R to 4/3 R from the point on the arcuate section, which is closest to the base.  
   
   
       20 . A method of indicating a desired fill level for contents of a container having an integrated lid section, the method comprising: 
 scoring a body of a container to define an arcuate score line, the score line defining a wall section and a lid section,    forming a wall section of a container with an arcuate section having a substantially similar shape to the arcuate score line;    positioning the body relative to a base such that a minimum distance between the arcuate section and the base corresponds to a desired fill level for the container; and    attaching the body to the base with the arcuate score line and the arcuate section being disposed on opposite sides of the base.