Slanted Clamshell Container with Sauce Holder

Abstract

A clamshell type container formed from a blank that includes upper and lower sections hingedly connected to one another along a common edge. A circular region defined by perforations is formed in the upper section, and is adapted to receive a cup therein. In its intended use, the cup would contain a dipping sauce that is complementary to the food product housed in the container.

1 . A clamshell container adapted for containing a product and a cup, comprising: 
 a. a lower section having a first planar surface that extends in a first plane;    b. an upper section having a second planar surface that extends in a second plane, said upper section positioned in movable relation to said lower section between open and closed positions, and    c. wherein said second planar surface includes a defined, cup-receiving portion thereof adapted to receive the cup therein.    
   
   
       2 . The clamshell container of  claim 1 , wherein said defined, cup-receiving portion is defined by perforations.  
   
   
       3 . The clamshell container of  claim 2 , wherein said defined, cup-receiving portion is essentially circular in shape.  
   
   
       4 . The clamshell container of  claim 3 , wherein the cup is of a first, maximum predetermined diameter, a second, minimum predetermined diameter, and said defined, cup-receiving portion is of a third, predetermined diameter less than said first, predetermined diameter and greater than said second predetermined diameter.  
   
   
       5 . The clamshell container of  claim 1 , wherein said lower and upper sections are integrally joined to one another along a common edge about which said upper and lower sections pivot relative to one another.  
   
   
       6 . The clamshell container of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second planes are not parallel to one another.  
   
   
       7 . The clamshell container of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of sidewalls extending between said upper and lower surfaces.  
   
   
       8 . The clamshell container of  claim 7 , wherein said clamshell container is pentagonal in shape.  
   
   
       9 . A blank able to be formed into a three-dimensional clamshell container adapted to contain a product and a cup therein, said blank comprising: 
 a. a first section having a first major surface;    b. a second section joined to said first section along a common edge and having a second, major surface; and    c. a defined, cup-receiving portion formed in said second, major surface.    
   
   
       10 . The blank according to  claim 9 , wherein said defined, cup-receiving portion is defined by perforations.  
   
   
       11 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein said defined, cup-receiving portion is essentially circular in shape.  
   
   
       12 . The blank of  claim 11 , wherein the cup is of a first, maximum predetermined diameter, a second, minimum predetermined diameter, and said defined, cup-receiving portion is of a third, predetermined diameter less than said first, predetermined diameter and greater than said second predetermined diameter.