One-Piece Food Container having an Integral Hinge with Latching Mechanisms and a Full Perimeter Seal

Abstract

The present invention relates to a one-piece food container with an integral hinge and one or more latching mechanism, a full perimeter seal, and ribbed or ridged support structures. The food container is fabricated from hybrid bio-based and polymeric a material that has heat resistance capabilities. In particular, the present apparatus and method utilize a hybrid slurry of simple, abundant and renewable materials, such as food or plant starch and calcium carbonate (limestone), and a polymeric material, that uses high temperature and high pressure presses. An optional coating, such as wax, is applied to the surface of the food container. The present invention one-piece food container has a plurality of ridges that are incorporated into the container to provide rigidity and resisting folding or bending. Lastly, the one-piece food container with has enough rigidity and strength to be stackable for efficient storage for distribution to a user. The resulting one-piece food container is strong, light, heat-resistant, and attractive.

1 . A food container comprising:
 a first food container bottom portion and   a second food container top portion;   an integral hinge mechanism, said integral hinge mechanism connecting said first food container bottom portion to said second food container top portion;   said first food container bottom portion having a food cavity section;   full perimeter seal, said first food container bottom having a first perimeter seal configuration, said second food container top having a second perimeter seal configuration, whereby said first perimeter seal configuration is designed to removable engage said second perimeter seal configuration resulting in a full perimeter seal, said full perimeter seal functions to removably seal said food cavity section;   one or more latching mechanisms, said one or more latching mechanisms designed removably engage said first food container bottom portion to said second food container top portion;   one or more first ear tabs extending from said bottom container bottom portion, said one or more ear tabs off-set to facilitate separation when said one or more latching mechanisms removably engage said first food container bottom portion to said second food container top portion;   a plurality of supportive structural ribbed sections incorporated on said bottom portion, said supportive structural ribbed sections function to provide rigidity and strength to said bottom portion; and   one or more supportive structural full perimeter supportive structural ribbed sections incorporated on said top portion; one or more supportive structural full perimeter supportive structural ribbed sections function to provide rigidity and strength to said top portion.   
     
     
         2 . A food container as recited in  claim 1 , whereby said food container is fabricated from at least a 50 percent bio-based material remaining percentage of fabrication material is a polymeric material. 
     
     
         3 . A food container as recited in  claim 1 , whereby said food container is fabricated from a biodegradable and/or compostable material. 
     
     
         4 . A food container as recited in  claim 3 , whereby said biodegradable or compostable fabrication material is a combination of a food or plant starch and calcium carbonate and said remaining percentage is a polymeric material. 
     
     
         5 . A food container as recited in  claim 1 , whereby food container is microwave compatible. 
     
     
         6 . A food container as recited in  claim 1 , whereby food container is heat resistant within the range of 100-250 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         7 . A food container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said food container is FDA approved for food containment and delivery. 
     
     
         8 . A food container as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising said food container is coated with a biodegradable or compostable coating. 
     
     
         9 . A food container as recited in  claim 1 , whereby said food container is gluten and GMO-free. 
     
     
         10 . A food container as recited in  claim 1 , whereby said food container is dishwasher safe. 
     
     
         11 . A food container fabricated from at least 50 percent bio-based material, comprising:
 a first food container bottom portion and   a second food container top portion;   an integral hinge mechanism, said integral hinge mechanism connecting said first food container bottom portion to said second food container top portion;   said first food container bottom portion, said second food container top portion and said hinge mechanism, fabricated from hybrid material that is at least 50% bio-based;   said first food container bottom portion having a food cavity section;   a full perimeter seal, said first food container bottom having a first perimeter seal configuration, said second food container top having a second perimeter seal configuration, whereby said first perimeter seal configuration is designed to removable engage said second perimeter seal configuration resulting in a full perimeter seal, said full perimeter seal functions to removably seal said food cavity section;   one or more latching mechanisms, said one or more latching mechanisms designed removably engage said first food container bottom portion to said second food container top portion;   one or more first ear tabs extending from said bottom container bottom portion, said one or more ear tabs off-set to facilitate separation when said one or more latching mechanisms removably engage said first food container bottom portion to said second food container top portion;   a plurality of supportive structural ribbed sections incorporated on said bottom portion, said supportive structural ribbed sections function to provide rigidity and strength to said bottom portion; and   one or more supportive structural full perimeter supportive structural ribbed sections incorporated on said top portion, one or more supportive structural full perimeter supportive structural ribbed sections function to provide rigidity and strength to said top portion.   
     
     
         12 . A food container fabricated from at least 50 percent bio-based material as recited in  claim 1 , whereby the remaining percentage of fabrication material is a polymeric material 
     
     
         13 . A food container as recited in  claim 1 , whereby said food container fabricated from at least 50 percent bio-based material is a biodegradable and/or compostable material. 
     
     
         14 . A food container fabricated from at least 50 percent bio-based material as recited in  claim 1 , whereby said biodegradable or compostable fabrication material is a combination of a food or plant starch and calcium carbonate and said remaining percentage is a polymeric material. 
     
     
         15 . A food container fabricated from at least 50 percent bio-based material as recited in  claim 1 , whereby food container is microwave compatible. 
     
     
         16 . A food container fabricated from at least 50 percent bio-based material as recited in  claim 1 , whereby food container is heat resistant within the range of 100-250 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         17 . A food container fabricated from at least 50 percent bio-based material as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said food container is FDA approved for food containment and delivery. 
     
     
         18 . A food container fabricated from at least 50 percent bio-based material as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising said food container is coated with a biodegradable or compostable coating. 
     
     
         19 . A food container fabricated from at least 50 percent bio-based material as recited in  claim 1 , whereby said food container is gluten and GMO-free. 
     
     
         20 . A food container fabricated from at least 50 percent bio-based material as recited in  claim 1 , whereby said food container is dishwasher safe.