Flat foldable, amusement providing, ecofriendly waste containers

Abstract

Packaging for a retail food product that contains a waste component, such as shells, includes a main product package including a hollow interior space for receiving the food product. The main product package includes a first face. The packaging includes a waste container that has a body with a number of defined fold lines to permit the waste container to move between an initial folded storage position and an unfolded position in which the waste container forms a receptacle defined by at least one side wall and a bottom wall that define a hollow interior space for receiving the waste component of the food product after consumption thereof. The waste container extends outwardly from the first face thereof and can be either integrally formed with or be attached to the main product package.

1 . Packaging for a retail food product that contains a waste component comprising:
 a main product package including a hollow interior space for receiving the food product, the main product package including a first face; and   a waste container that has a body with a number of defined fold lines to permit the waste container to move between an initial folded storage position and an unfolded position in which the waste container forms a receptacle defined by at least one side wall and a bottom wall that define a hollow interior space for receiving the waste component of the food product after consumption thereof;   wherein the waste container includes at least one wall that is integrally attached to the first face of the main product package so as to form unitary packaging for the retail food product, wherein when use of the waster container is desired, the body of the waste container is unfolded and forms the partially enclosed receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the main product package is formed of a fully flexible plastic film material. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the waste container has a square or rectangular shape with a rear face thereof being defined by the first face of the main product package. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall is formed of a different material relative to the bottom wall. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall is formed of the same material that forms the main product package. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging of  claim 1 , further including a reinforcing member associated with the waste container for maintaining a shape of the waste container in the unfolded position, wherein in the unfolded position, the reinforcing member lies generally between the first face of the main product package and a front face of the waste container. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging of  claim 6 , wherein the reinforcing member lies generally perpendicular to the first face of the main product package and is located proximate an intended opening of the product package so that when the product package is tilted at an angle to dispense product, the reinforcing member acts as a barrier to prevent waste component contained therein from spilling. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the waste container has a box shape and includes a front side wall and two opposing side walls that extend between the front side wall and the first face of the main product package, the first face representing a rear wall of the waste container. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the first face includes indicia that is defined by at least first and second sections, the first section being formed on the main product package and the second section being formed on an outer surface of the folded waste container, the first and second sections forming an uninterrupted, continuous image. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the folded waste container is coupled to the first face of the main product package by means of a rupturable seal. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging of  claim 10 , wherein the rupturable seal comprises a score or perforated line. 
     
     
         12 . Packaging for a retail food product that contains a waste component comprising:
 a main product package including a hollow interior space for receiving the food product, the main product package having a body including a first face; and   a waste container that is distinct and separate from the main product package and has a body with a number of defined fold lines to permit the waste container to move between an initial folded storage position and an unfolded position in which the waste container forms a receptacle defined by at least one side wall and a bottom wall that define a hollow interior space for receiving the waste component of the food product after consumption thereof, wherein the side wall of the waste container is attached to the first face of the main product package and in the initial folded storage position, the waste container lies flush against the first face of the body of the main product package;   wherein when use of the waster container is desired, the body of the waste container is unfolded and forms the partially enclosed receptacle.   
     
     
         13 . The packaging of  claim 12 , wherein the waste container is attached to the first face of the body of the main product package by means of an adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging of  claim 12 , wherein in the initial folded storage position, the waste container is disposed within a pocket formed in the first face of the body of the main product package. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging of  claim 12 , wherein the waste container includes a tab formed on a rear face thereon for reception in the pocket when the waste container is in the unfolded position, whereby the waste container is supported by the main product package. 
     
     
         16 . The packaging of  claim 12 , wherein the side wall is formed of the same material that forms the main product package. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging of  claim 12 , further including a reinforcing member associated with the waste container for maintaining a shape of the waste container in the unfolded position, wherein in the unfolded position, the reinforcing member lies generally between a rear wall of the waste container that is attached to the first face of the main product package and a front face of the waste container. 
     
     
         18 . The packaging of  claim 17 , wherein the reinforcing member lies generally perpendicular to the first face of the main product package. 
     
     
         19 . The packaging of  claim 12 , wherein the waste container has a box shape and includes a front side wall and two opposing side walls that extend between the front side wall and the first face of the main product package, the first face representing a rear wall of the waste container. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging of  claim 12 , wherein the food product is a shell product and the waste component comprises cracked shells. 
     
     
         21 . The packaging of  claim 12 , wherein upper edges of the side walls of the waste container include an interconnected rim structure that is formed of a memory material that in a rest position which comprises the unfolded position defines a square or rectangular opening into the hollow interior space and in the initial folded storage position is folded so as to store energy that is released when the waste container is unfolded. 
     
     
         22 . The packaging of  claim 12 , wherein in the initial folded storage position, the waste container is disposed within a holder that is separate from the main product package and coupled to a face thereof, the holder having a openable flap that seals the waste container in the initial folded storage position within an interior of the holder. 
     
     
         23 . The packaging of  claim 12 , wherein the first face includes indicia that is defined by at least first and second sections, the first section being formed on the main product package and the second section being formed on a surface of the folded waste container that is coupled to the main product package, the first and second sections forming an uninterrupted, continuous image when the waste container is in the folded storage position.