Closure for food container

Abstract

A closure for a preformed food container such as an sandwich wedge comprises a one-piece blank including an aperture ( 4 ) into which the food container is inserted. The blank is foldable about a predetermined line ( 6 ) to form a front wall ( 8 ) overlying a back wall ( 9 ) and trapping between the front and back walls a projecting lip extending from a rim of the container. The front ( 8 ) and back ( 9 ) walls are sealed together, thereby closing the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closure for a preformed food container comprising:
 a one-piece blank configured to fold about a predetermined line to form a front wall overlying a back wall and to trap a portion of the container between the front and back walls; and   a seal disposed between the front and back walls of the blank.   
     
     
         2 . A closure for a preformed food container having an open cavity configured to receive at least one food item and a projecting lip extending from a rim of the cavity, the closure comprising:
 a one-piece blank configured to fold about a predetermined line to form a front wall overlying a back wall; and   a seal disposed between the front and back walls of the blank,   wherein the back wall comprises an aperture configured to receive the food container with the lip overlying the back wall such that, in use, the lip of the food container is trapped between the front and back walls of the blank.   
     
     
         3 . The closure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein, in use, contents of the food container are visible through the front wall of the blank. 
     
     
         4 . The closure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the front wall comprises a transparent window. 
     
     
         5 . The closure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the seal is formed by application of heat. 
     
     
         6 . The closure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the seal is formed by application of pressure. 
     
     
         7 . The closure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the seal is demountable. 
     
     
         8 . The closure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the seal is tamper-proof. 
     
     
         9 . The closure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the closure is substantially made of a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         10 . The closure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the biodegradable material is cardboard. 
     
     
         11 . A one-piece blank configured to form a closure for a preformed food container comprising:
 a portion foldable about a predetermined line to form a front wall overlying a back wall and to trap a portion of the container between the front and back walls; and   a seal disposed between the front and back walls of the blank.   
     
     
         12 . A one-piece blank adapted to form a closure for a preformed food container having an open cavity configured to receive at least one food item and a projecting lip extending from a rim of the cavity, the blank comprising:
 a portion foldable about a predetermined line to form a front wall overlying a back wall; and   a seal disposed between the front and back walls of the blank,   wherein the back wall comprises an aperture configured to receive the food container with the lip overlying the back wall such that, in use, the lip of the food container is trapped between the front and back walls of the blank.   
     
     
         13 . A method of closing a preformed food container via a one-piece blank configured to fold about a predetermined line to form a front wall overlying a back wall, wherein the food container includes an open cavity configured to receive at least one food item and a projecting lip extending from a rim of the cavity, the method comprising the steps of:
 inserting the food container through an aperture in the back wall of the blank such that the lip overlies the back wall;   folding the front wall of the blank over the back wall to trap the lip of the food container between the front and back walls of the blank; and   sealing together the front and back walls of the blank.   
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the sealing comprises forming a seal by application of heat, pressure, or a combination thereof.