Container utlizing label seal technology

Abstract

A food container for shipping and displaying food items is provided. The food container is made up of a base container having an upper perimeter portion that is configured to be closed using a label seal. The label seal replaces a lid or cover (either hinged or separate) and enables a significant reduction in the amount of plastics used in food containers of this type. The label seal is adhesively applied to the upper perimeter portion of the based contained and is cut to size to the same perimeter edge of the container. A tamper evident feature can be integrated into the label seal technology disclosed herein.

1 . A food container comprising:
 a base container having an upper perimeter flange defining an opening for receiving food products; and   a film label configured to be adhered to the upper flange and entirely seal closed the food receiving opening of the base portion.   
     
     
         2 . The food container according to  claim 1 , wherein said film label further comprises a perforated peel back area configured to partially separate the film label from the upper flange of the container to allow access to the food items in the container. 
     
     
         3 . The food container according to  claim 1 , wherein said upper flange further comprises a label sealing area. 
     
     
         4 . The food container according to  claim 3 , wherein an adhesive is applied to the film label such that the amount of adhesive is less than a surface area of said label sealing area. 
     
     
         5 . The food container according to  claim 4 , wherein said upper flange further comprises a pull tab portion and said film label further comprises perforations configured to respond to a pulling action originating from said pull tab portion and thereby open the base container in a re-sealable manner. 
     
     
         6 . The food container according to  claim 1 , wherein said film label further comprises one or more vents. 
     
     
         7 . The food container according to  claim 1 , wherein said film label further comprises micro-perforations for modified atmosphere applications. 
     
     
         8 . The food container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tamper evident feature integrated into said film label. 
     
     
         9 . The food container according to  claim 8 , wherein said tamper evident feature is disposed on said upper flange and comprises a portion of said film label that remains adhered to said upper flange after the film label has been lifted to open said container. 
     
     
         10 . The food contain according to  claim 1 , wherein said film label further comprises printed matter in the form of text and/or graphics providing information about the food items contained therein. 
     
     
         11 . A food container comprising:
 a base container having an upper perimeter flange defining an opening for receiving food products and a bottom surface treated with a silicone agent; and   a film label configured to be adhered to the upper flange and entirely seal closed the food receiving opening of the base portion, said film label being stretched over said opening during adhesion such that when the film label is entirely adhered to the flange, the base container with adhered film label can support one or more additional base containers for stacking purposes, said bottom silicone treated surface of the base container preventing sticking to the film label of a lower container on which it is stacked;   said film label further comprising a perforated peel back area configured to partially separate the film label from the upper flange of the container to allow access to the food items in the container   
     
     
         12 . The food container according to  claim 11 , wherein said film label further comprises one or more vents. 
     
     
         13 . The food container according to  claim 11 , wherein said film label further comprises micro-perforations for modified atmosphere applications. 
     
     
         14 . The food container according to  claim 11 , further comprising a tamper evident feature integrated into said film label. 
     
     
         15 . The food container according to  claim 14 , wherein said tamper evident feature is disposed on said upper flange and comprises a portion of said film label that remains adhered to said upper flange after the film label has been lifted to open said container.