The present invention relates to an item of food packaging. When transporting pre-prepared food from a takeaway, cafe, or the like there are often a number of problems. For example, the packaging in which the food comes may not be stable, may not provide adequate separation between hot and cold parts of the food, and in particular may not allow for the food to be consumed in clean and simple manner.

The present invention seeks to address these issues.

According to the present invention there is provided an item of food packaging comprising two opposing side panels and an inner chamber for holding food, wherein the item of packaging is adapted such that when in use the side panels may be folded away from each other so as to form a tray.

The provision of two opposing side panels that may be opened so as to form a tray allows for a user to readily create a tray from the packaging so as to aid consumption of the food contained therein.

Preferably the item of packaging is adapted such that when folding the side panels the inner chamber may si multaneously be ripped or folded open so as to provide access to its contents.

By providing an arrangement wherein the inner chamber may be simultaneously be ripped or folded open so as to reveal its contents, consumption of the food is even more easily performed. Preferably the inner chamber is formed in the item of packaging such that when folding the side panels the inner chamber is simultaneously ripped or folded open. By providing an arrangement wherein the inner chamber is simultaneously be ripped or folded open so as to reveal its contents the item of packaging will be used correctly every time. Preferably the inner chamber may be simultaneously ripped open along lines of weakness.

By providing lines of weakness the inner chamber is readily ripped open. Preferably the item of packaging comprises a base located between the opposing side panels. In one embodiment the base is formed from an underside of the inner chamber. In one embodiment the base is formed in one piece with the side panels. In one embodiment the base is defined between the side panels by respective creases or scores. In one embodiment the base is formed by a bend in the material between the side panels.

The provision of a base allows for the item of packaging to be easily placed on a surface without fear of it falling over. Preferably the inner chamber is partly defined by two opposing walls, each wall being located between the side panels.

Preferably each wall comprises at least one line of weakness. Preferably each wall comprises a line of weakness that runs substantially parallel to the planes of the side panels when the inner chamber has not been opened.

By providing lines of weakness that run substantially parallel to the side panels the chamber is easily ripped open as the side panels are folded out.

Preferably the side panels are substantially rigid. Preferably the base is substantially rigid. The provision of substantially rigid side panels and base, for example formed from card, provides for a better tray.

In one embodiment the inner chamber is defined by a bag positioned between the two side panels.

Preferably the bag is attached to the two side panels. Preferably the bag comprises four walls and a base. Preferably opposing walls of the bag are attached to the side panels. Preferably opposing walls of the bag are attached to the side panels by means of adhesive.

By forming the inner chamber out of a bag the item of packaging is easily constructed. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of serving food comprising the step of providing an item of food packaging as described above.

A specific embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of an outer container of an item of packaging made in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention ;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the outer container of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows the outer container of Figure 1 folded into different configurations;

Figure 4 shows the outer container of Figure 1 with strips of adhesive applied to it;

Figure 5 shows in inner container of an item of packaging made in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention to be used with the outer container of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-section of the inner container of Figure 5 being positioned into the outer container of Figure 4; Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-section of an assembled item of packaging comprising both the outer container of Figure 4 and the inner container of Figure 5;

Figure 8 shows a first perspective view of the assembled item of packaging of Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows a second perspective view of the assembled item of packaging of Figure 7;

Figure 10 shows a plan view of the assembled item of packaging of Figure 7; Figure 1 1 shows an end view of the assembled item of packaging of Figure 7; Figure 1 2 shows the item of packaging of Figure 7 in a partially opened position ;

Figure 13 shows the item of packaging of Figure 7 in a fully opened position ; Figure 14 shows a perspective view of an assembled item of packaging made in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention ;

Figure 15 shows a perspective view of an assembled item of packaging made in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention ; and

Figure 16 shows a perspective view of an assembled item of packaging made in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to drawings, an item of packaging made in accordance with the present invention may be assembled from an outer container 1 and an inner container 2.

Referring to Figure 1 , outer container 1 is formed from a sheet of card, although any other substantially rigid, or semi-rigid material might be used.

Outer container 1 comprises two side panels 3, 4 and a base part 5 located between side panels 3 and 4. Base part 5 is defined between side panels 3, 4 by respective creases 6, 7.

Base part 5 is divided into two sections 8, 9 by crease 10. Each side panel is divided into three sections by the presence of two creases. Thus each side panel is divided into main side walls 1 1 , 12, middle side parts 15, 16 and handle parts. Crease 13 provides a line of flexibility between side wall 1 1 and middle side part 15. Crease 17 provides a line of flexibility between middle side part 15 and handle part 19.

Crease 14 provides a line of flexibility between side wall 12 and middle side part 16. Crease 18 provides a line of flexibility between middle side part 16 and handle part 20.

It will be appreciated that although the present embodiment uses creases to define lines of flexibility, any line of flexibility might suffice, for example instead of a crease a score, i,e, a partial cut through the card, could alternatively be employed.

Turning to Figure 3 it can be seen that the provision of the various creases allows for outer container 1 to be folded between a number of configurations.

Side panels 3, 4 are foldable relative to base 5 such that handle parts 19 and 20 are touching and the cavity defined within the inner container is substantially in the form of a triangular prism. Furthermore, as base part 5 comprises a central crease, outer container 1 may be further folded such that base 5 is housed between side panels 3, 4 where in side panels 3 and 4 are substantially planar. Thus outer container may be folded into a configuration wherein it is substantially planar. Turning to Figures 4 to 6 and the attachment of inner container 2 to outer container 1 , by applying areas of adhesive 21 to side panels 3, 4 and base 5, inner container 2 may be attached to outer container 1 . Inner container 2 is a paper bag having a base 27, and four sides, 22, 23, 24, 25 defining an opening 26.

In the present embodiment inner container 2 is formed substantially in the shape of a rectangular solid, but of course in other embodiment other shapes such as a cuboid shape might be appropriate, depending upon the configuration of the outer container.

Two opposing sides 24, 25 of inner container 2 each comprise a line of weakness, 28, 29. In the present embodiment each line of weakness 28, 29 is formed by a perforation running between opening 26 and base 27. In the present embodiment the lines of weakness 28, 29 run the full distance between opening 26 and base 27, but it is conceivable in other embodiments that the lines of weakness might not run the full length, for example they might terminate at a point spaced from base 27, or might be formed in other configurations.

Line of weakness 28 divides side 24 into substantially equal sections 37, 38. Similarly line of weakness 29 divides side 25 into substantially equal sections 35, 36.

In the present embodiment lines of weakness 28, 29 are substantially perpendicular to the base (i.e. substantially parallel to side panels 3, 4 when the item of packaging has not been folded into a tray configuration). However, the lines of weakness could be at an angle. Furthermore, the lines of weakness 28, 29 need not divide sides 24, 25 into substantially equal parts, but could be offset from the respective centres of the sides.

Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-section of how inner container 2 is positioned in outer container 1 such that opposing sides 22, 23 and base 27 of inner container 2 are attached to base 5 and side panels 3, 4 of outer container 1 . Evidently various different configurations of adhesive 21 may be employed to attach inner container 2 to outer container 1 . Indeed other means of attachment could be employed. Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-section through the assembled item of packaging comprising both inner container 2 and outer container 1 . As outer container 1 is folded through its different configurations, so inner container 2 is simultaneously folded. Figures 8 and 9 each show a perspective view of the assembled item of packaging. As can be seen, in one configuration, cutaway sections 30, 31 located on handle parts 19, 20 of side panels 3, 4 of outer container 1 may be positioned adjacent to each other so as to form means to carry the item of packaging.

Outer container 1 further comprises cutaway sections 32, 33 adapted to stabilise a beverage container (not shown) positioned in outer container 1 .

Turning to the item of packaging in use, items of food (not shown) may be placed within inner container 2, and a beverage container (not shown) may be positioned in outer container 1 . A user may then fold side panels 3 and 4 such that handle parts 19, 20 of side panels 3, 4 are adjacent to each other. The item of packaging may then be easily transported by grasping cutaway sections 30, 31 .

When the user wishes to access the contents of the inner container, and turning to Figures 1 1 to 13, they may fold side panels 3, 4 away from each other. In doing so, as opposing sides of inner container 2 are attached to side panels 3, 4, and owing to lines of weakness 28, 29, inner container 2 is ripped open along to lines of weakness 28, 29.

As side panels 3, 4 are folded further into the tray configuration as shown in Figure 13, wherein the side panels and base are in substantially the same plane, and such that the contents of inner container 2 are fully revealed. The user may then consume the contents of inner container 2 unhindered, and with the aid of outer container 1 acting as a tray.

As the lines of weakness 28, 29 are positioned substantially in the middle of sides 24, 28 of inner container 2, when the outer container has been folded into the tray configuration, sections 35, 36 of side 25 and sections 37, 38 of side 24 form a raised lip around the tray so as to reduce the likelihood of spillage of any of the contents of the chamber. Once the user has finished consumption, inner container 1 may be folded and disposed of.

Figure 14 shows a second embodiment of an item of packaging made in accordance with the present invention wherein the outer container does not comprises any cutaway sections adapted to stabilise a beverage container.

Figure 1 5 shows a third embodiment of an item of packaging made in accordance with the present invention wherein instead of the base is defined between the side panels by respective creases, the base is instead formed as a bend and defined between the side panels by curves in the material that the base and side panels are made.

Figure 16 shows a fourth embodiment of an item of packaging made in accordance with the present invention wherein instead of the base being formed from the same material of the side panels, the underside, i.e. bottom, of the inner chamber acts as the base.

In some embodiments other cutaway sections may be employed, such as opening 34 (shown in figures 1 and 4 only) adapted for holding a straw.

Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.