Food Product Pedestal Tray

Abstract

A container or package for a food product is provided that includes a pedestal tray/support member formed of a material capable of supporting the weight of the food product to be positioned thereon and a cover engagable with the support member. The support member is formed with features to allow the cover to be readily engaged and disengaged from the support member and to enable the package to be easily grasped and moved in its entirety all without the need for a separate reinforcing corrugated pad disposed on the support member.

1 . A container for a food product, the container comprising:
 a. a support member including a support surface and a support structure; and   b. a cover releasably secured to the support surface opposite the support structure.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a number of flaps secured to the support surface. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the number of flaps are foldably connected to the support surface. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein each of the number of flaps includes a pair of securing tabs at either end of the flaps. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the pair of securing tabs are foldably connected to each of the number of flaps. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the securing tabs on adjacent flaps are secured is to one another in an overlapping configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the securing tabs on adjacent flaps are adhesively secured to one another in an overlapping configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the securing tabs on adjacent flaps are mechanically secured to one another in an overlapping configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cover comprises a locking flange disposed around the perimeter of the cove, the locking flange shaped complementary to the perimeter of the support surface. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support member is formed of a corrugated material. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the support member is formed of a corrugated paperboard material. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a number of handle flaps disposed on the support member. 
     
     
         13 . A method for packaging a food product, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing the container of  claim 1 ; and   b. placing the food product on the support surface; and   c. engaging the cover with the support surface over the food product.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of providing the container comprises the steps of:
 a. providing a blank for a support member including a support surface, a pair of side flaps foldably connected to the support surface, each side flap including a pair of securing tabs at each end, and a pair of end flaps foldably connected to the support surface, each end flap including a pair of securing tabs at each end; 
 b. folding the side flaps relative to the support surface; 
 c. folding the end flaps relative to the support surface; and 
 d. engaging the securing tabs on the side flaps and the end flaps with one another. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of engaging the securing tabs with one, another comprises adhesively engaging the securing tabs with one another. 
     
     
         16 . A blank for a support member of a food packaging container, the blank comprising:
 a. a support surface;   b. a pair of side flaps foldably connected to the support surface, each side flap including a pair of securing tabs at each end; and   c. a pair of end flaps foldably connected to the support surface, each end flap including a pair of securing tabs at each end.   
     
     
         17 . The blank of  claim 17  further comprising a number of handle flaps disposed in at least one of the pair of side flaps or the pair of ends flaps. 
     
     
         18 . The blank of  claim 16  wherein the blank is formed of a corrugated material.