Clamshell container with tear-away lid

A thermoformed thermoplastic container for food comprising a single sheet of thermoplastic material molded to comprise:

• a concave base having an upwardly extending sidewall with a peripheral flange which extends outwardly therefrom;
• a lid which is positionable over the concave base to cover the base;
• a hinge which extends from the lid to the base, the lid being pivotable about the hinge to alternately cover and uncover the base;
• a hinge attachment segment which extends from the hinge to the base flange;
• and
• portions of the base flange which define a plurality of perforations extending along the hinge attachment segment, the perforations defining a line of weakened plastic material which is spaced from the hinge and positioned between the hinge and the base sidewall, the hinge attachment segment and the lid being separable from the lid by displacing the hinge attachment segment with respect to the flange along the line of weakened plastic material.

A method for deploying a food containing concave dish for dining therefrom, comprising the steps of:

• pivoting the lid of a thermoformed thermoplastic clamshell container out of engagement with the base of the container by rotating the lid about a hinge which is integrally formed with the lid, the hinge being connected to the base by a hinge attachment segment which extends from a base outwardly extending flange along a line of weakened plastic material;
• engaging a portion of the hinge attachment segment and displacing the hinge attachment segment from the base flange along the line of weakened material which is positioned between the hinge and the base to separate the hinge attachment segment and the attached lid from the base to thereby create a concave dish with no lid attached thereto;
• and
• positioning the concave dish on a support surface for dining therefrom.