Baked goods carrier

Abstract

A carrier for covering and transporting baked goods or other food products includes a base for supporting a pie, cake, cupcakes, or other baked goods. A cover is configured to be attached to the base to generally enclose the carrier, thereby protecting the baked goods for transport or storage. The cover is formed with a flexible membrane that makes it collapsible for more convenient storage.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A baked goods carrier, comprising:
 a base for supporting one or more baked food items; and   a lid removably attached to the base and forming a dome over the base, the lid having:
 an upper rigid section formed from a first material, the upper rigid section having a rigid top and a rigid downwardly extending portion; 
 a lower rigid section; 
 a flexible section formed from a second material, the second material being elastomeric and different from the first material, the flexible section being secured between the upper rigid section and the lower rigid section, the flexible section having a first living hinge and a second living hinge, the first living hinge and the second living hinge enabling the lid to be selectively movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position while the lid is attached to the tray, the upper rigid section in the collapsed position being concentrically received within a lower portion of the flexible section, the upper rigid section further having an outer diameter that is less than a diameter of the flexible section such that the flexible section forms a sidewall extending between the downwardly extending portion of the upper rigid section and the lower rigid section, the sidewall extending downwardly and outwardly from the upper rigid section to the lower rigid section, wherein the upper rigid section is received within the flexible section in the collapsed position; 
 a handle attached to the upper rigid section, the handle being configured to enable the lid and base together to be carried by the handle when the lid is attached to the base; and 
 a lock configured to selectively secure the lid to the base and to release the lid from the base. 
   
     
     
         2 . The baked goods carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the second material is silicone. 
     
     
         3 . The baked goods carrier of  claim 2  wherein the upper rigid section is formed from clear plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The baked goods carrier of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first height in the collapsed position, the first height extending from the base to the first living hinge;   a second height in the collapsed position, the second height extending from the first living hinge to the second living hinge; and   a third height in the collapsed position, the third height extending from the base to a top of the lid;   wherein the sum of the first height and the second height is substantially equal to the third height, whereby in the collapsed position the top of the lid and the second living hinge are substantially the same distance above the base while the first living hinge is spaced apart from the base and positioned intermediate the base and the top of the lid.   
     
     
         5 . The baked goods carrier of  claim 4 , wherein the first height is substantially equal to the second height. 
     
     
         6 . The baked goods carrier of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of locks formed on the lid for securing the lid to the base. 
     
     
         7 . The baked goods carrier of  claim 4 , wherein the lower rigid section extends from the base to the third height when the lid is in the collapsed position. 
     
     
         8 . A baked goods carrier, comprising:
 a base for supporting one or more baked food items; and   a lid removably attached to the base and defining an interior space between the lid and the base, the lid having:
 an upper section having a top and a downwardly extending portion, each of the top and the downwardly extending portion being formed from a plastic material; 
 a lower rigid section forming a rigid lower peripheral rim; 
 a flexible section formed from a silicone material, the flexible section being secured between the upper section and the lower rigid section to form an inclined sidewall between the upper section and the lower rigid section, the flexible section having a first living hinge and a second living hinge, the first living hinge and the second living hinge enabling the lid to be selectively movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position while the lid is attached to the tray, the upper section in the collapsed position being concentrically received within a lower portion of the flexible section, the upper section further having an outer diameter that is less than a diameter of the flexible section such that the flexible section extends downwardly and outwardly from the upper section to the lower rigid section, wherein the upper rigid section is received within the flexible section in the collapsed position; 
 a handle attached to the upper section, the handle being configured to enable the lid and base together to be carried by the handle when the lid is attached to the base; and 
 a fastener configured to selectively secure the lid to the base and to release the lid from the base. 
   
     
     
         9 . The baked goods carrier of  claim 8 , wherein the lower rigid portion and the top of the lid extend above the base to a substantially equal height when the lid is in the collapsed position. 
     
     
         10 . The baked goods carrier of  claim 9 , wherein in the collapsed position the top of the lid and the second living hinge are substantially the same distance above the base while the first living hinge is spaced apart from the base and positioned intermediate the base and the top of the lid.