Tray with re-closeable lid

Abstract

A tray for displaying a product for sale, where the tray includes a re-closeable lid. The tray includes a base having a peripheral side wall with a rim bounding an opening to a cavity which retains the product. A portion of the lid is permanently engaged with a section of the base. The rest of the lid is selectively engageable with the rest of the base and is movable between open and closed positions. When closed, a part of the lid is positioned laterally adjacent the rim and is located in a common plane therewith. The edges of the rim and lid frictionally engage each other to secure the base and lid together. The movable part of the lid, which includes a frame member and flexible film, rotate about a living hinge in the frame member. A latching mechanism is engaged to keep the lid and base engaged.

1 . A re-closeable tray comprising:
 a base having a bottom wall, a peripheral side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in a rim; wherein the base defines a cavity adapted to receive an article therein, and wherein the rim defines an opening to the cavity; and   wherein the bottom wall includes:
 at least a first section and a second section, wherein the second section angles downwardly from the rim toward a first end of the first section. 
   
     
     
         2 . The tray as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first section is planar and is oriented generally parallel to the rim of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The tray as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second section is oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the first section. 
     
     
         4 . The tray as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a depression defined in the second section. 
     
     
         5 . The tray as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising a ramp extending upwardly from the first section and into the depression. 
     
     
         6 . The tray as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the ramp is spaced a distance away from the second section such that a gap is defined between an exterior side wall of the ramp and an interior side wall of the second section that defines the depression. 
     
     
         7 . The tray as defined in  claim 5 , wherein a top surface of the ramp is oriented at an angle relative to the first section that is different to the angle between the second section and the first section. 
     
     
         8 . The tray as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall further comprises a third section that angles downwardly from the rim toward a second end of the first section. 
     
     
         9 . The tray as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the first section and the third section are oriented at an obtuse angle relative to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The tray as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the second section is oriented at a first obtuse angle relative to the first section, and the third section is oriented at a second obtuse angle relative to the first section, and wherein the first obtuse angle and the second obtuse angle are different. 
     
     
         11 . The tray as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising at least one depression defined in the third section. 
     
     
         12 . The tray as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one depression comprises a first depression and a second depression defined in the third section, and wherein the first depression and the second depression are laterally spaced from each other. 
     
     
         13 . The tray as defined in  claim 11 , further comprising a ramp extending upwardly from the first section and into the at least one depression; and wherein the ramp is spaced from an interior side wall of the third section that defines the at least one depression. 
     
     
         14 . The tray as defined in  claim 13 , wherein a top surface of the ramp is oriented at an angle relative to the first section that is different from the angle between the second section and the third section. 
     
     
         15 . The tray as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ribs provided on an interior surface of the peripheral side wall. 
     
     
         16 . A method of selling and storing food for later usage comprising steps of:
 providing a tray comprising a base defining a cavity for receiving the food therein; and a lid, where a portion of the lid is fixedly secured to a section of the base and a rest of the lid is retained on a remainder of the base by friction and a plurality of bridging members that extend along a line of weakness in the lid;   displaying the tray in a store;   lifting the rest of the lid away from the remainder of the base to break the bridging members;   rotating the lid to an open position about an axis which extends along at least one living hinge on the lid;   removing part of the food from the cavity;   rotating the lid to a closed position to where an interior edge of a frame member of the lid is positioned adjacent an exterior edge a rim of the base; and   frictionally retaining the lid and base together.   
     
     
         17 . The method as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising a step of inserting a boss on the lid into a complementary depression on the base to lock the lid and base together. 
     
     
         18 . The method as defined in  claim 17 , further comprising a step of moving a frame member of the lid into a common plane with the rim on the base. 
     
     
         19 . The method as defined in  claim 18 , further comprising a step of smoothing the frame member into alignment with the rim on the base and creating a suction on a film member provided on the lid. 
     
     
         20 . The method as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the step of displaying the tray in a store includes hanging the tray on a store display using a hang tag provided on one other the other of the lid and base.