FOOD CONTAINERS HAVING LOCKING INTERFACES
A container includes a molded fiber tray at least partially defining a tray internal volume. The tray includes a perimeter wall extending upward from a bottom tray surface, a rest extending outward from the perimeter wall, a parapet extending upward from the rest, and a tray build-up projecting inward from the parapet. The tray build-up and the rest at least partially define a gap therebetween. The container includes a molded fiber lid at least partially defining a lid internal volume. The lid includes a perimeter wall extending downward from a lid upper surface, and a ridge extending downward from the perimeter wall. The ridge includes an outer ridge wall, a lateral surface extending inward from the outer ridge wall, and a lid build-up projecting outward from the outer ridge wall. The lid build-up is configured to be received in the gap when the container is in a closed condition.
1 . A container comprising:
a molded fiber tray at least partially defining a tray internal volume, wherein the molded fiber tray comprises a perimeter wall extending upward from a bottom tray surface, a rest extending outward from the perimeter wall, a parapet extending upward from the rest, and a tray build-up projecting inward from the parapet, wherein the tray build-up and the rest at least partially define a gap therebetween; and
a molded fiber lid at least partially defining a lid internal volume, wherein the molded fiber lid comprises a perimeter wall extending downward from a lid upper surface, and a ridge extending downward from the perimeter wall, wherein the ridge comprises an outer ridge wall, a lateral surface extending inward from the outer ridge wall, and a lid build-up projecting outward from the outer ridge wall, wherein the lid build-up is configured to be received in the gap when the container is in a closed condition.
2 . The container of claim 1 , further comprising a molded fiber hinge integrally formed with both the molded fiber tray and the molded fiber lid.
3 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the tray build-up and the lid build-up are in contact around an entire perimeter of the container.
4 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the parapet comprises a first thickness and the tray build-up comprises a second thickness greater than the first thickness.
5 . The container of claim 1 , wherein a height of the tray build-up is greater than a thickness of the tray build-up.
6 . The container of claim 1 , wherein each of the tray build-up and the lid build-up comprise a leading surface and a holding surface.
7 . The container of claim 6 , wherein the tray build-up further comprises a tray build-up terminal surface spanning the tray build-up leading surface and the tray build-up holding surface.
8 . The container of claim 7 , wherein the lid build-up further comprises a lid build-up terminal surface spanning the lid build-up leading surface and the lid build-up holding surface.
9 . The container of claim 8 , wherein when in the closed condition, the tray build-up terminal surface is in contact with the outer ridge wall and the lid build-up terminal surface is in contact with the parapet.
10 . The container of claim 6 , wherein each of the tray build-up leading surface and the tray build-up holding surface are disposed at an angle to the parapet.
11 . The container of claim 1 , wherein when the container is in the closed condition, the rest is in contact with the lateral surface.
12 . The container of claim 1 , wherein each of the tray and the lid comprise a rim.
13 . The container of claim 12 , wherein when the container is in the closed condition, the tray rim is in contact with the lid rim.
14 . The container of claim 12 , further comprising a molded fiber hinge integral with both the tray rim and the lid rim.
15 . The container of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the tray and the lid comprises an integrally-formed molded fiber tab.
16 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the bottom tray surface is defined by a plurality of peaks alternating with a plurality of valleys.
17 . The container of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of peaks and the plurality of valleys are surrounded by a perimeter moat.
18 . A container comprising:
a molded fiber tray at least partially defining a tray internal volume, wherein the molded fiber tray comprises a perimeter wall extending upward from a tray bottom surface, a rest extending outward from the perimeter wall, a parapet extending upward from the rest, and a tray build-up projecting inward from the parapet, wherein the tray build-up and the rest at least partially define a gap therebetween;
a molded fiber lid at least partially defining a lid internal volume, wherein the molded fiber lid comprises a perimeter wall extending downward from a lid upper surface, and a rim extending outward from the perimeter wall, wherein the rim is configured to be received in the gap when the container is in a closed condition; and
a molded fiber hinge integrally formed with both the molded fiber tray and the molded fiber lid.
19 . The container of claim 18 , wherein the rim terminates at an edge, and wherein the edge presses into the parapet when the container is in the closed condition.
20 . The container of claim 18 , wherein the rim is disposed substantially orthogonal to the parapet when the container is in a closed condition.