Container for holding food

#I. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates generally to plastic dishware and more particularly to a basket shaped serving tray for holding sandwiches and the like in the food service industry.

#II. Discussion of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a first invention.

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

#The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a disposable container for holding sandwiches and the like. As shown FIG. 1, the container, which can be oval-shaped, includes a lip 1, a sidewall 2, and a base 3. The container is preferably made by thermoforming a sheet of high impact polystyrene. Of course, other materials or molding processes could be used without deviating from the invention.

#The base 3 is generally planar and is placed at the bottom of the container. Preferably there are no openings through the base 3. The base 3 includes a downwardly extending annular projection 4 surrounding the parameter of the base. This projection defines the planar foot surface. The arcuate sidewall 2 extends upwardly and outwardly. It is integrally formed with the base 3. The sidewall is embossed with projections in the form of intersecting, vertical ribs 5 and horizontal ribs 6. The pattern of the ribs 5 and 6 embossed on the sidewall 2 of the container simulates a woven reed pattern of a container. However, unlike in a typical woven reed pattern, here the sidewall 2 has no openings through it. The top of the sidewall defines the open upper edge of the container. Surrounding the upper edge is a laterally extending lip 1. As shown, the two ends 7 and 9 the container are rounded to provide the oval shape to the container when viewed from either the top or the bottom.

#FIGS. 4-6 show an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Like the first embodiment, the alternative embodiment has a base 10, a sidewall 12, and a laterally extending lip 13 surrounding the open upper edge. However, in the alternative embodiment, the sidewall 12 is embossed with outwardly projecting dimples 15 as opposed to ribs 5. The dimples 15 are geometrically positioned and shaped to simulate a woven basket pattern.