Container having a rim or other feature encapsulated by or formed from injection-molded material

Abstract

A tray having at least one sidewall having a top edge, an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a bottom surface adjacent to the sidewall. The bottom surface and the interior surface combine to form a product receiving space of the tray. The tray has an injection-molded feature having an anchor portion and a flange portion. The anchor portion is adjacent the interior surface of the at least one sidewall, and the flange portion extends from the anchor portion and is adjacent the top edge of the at least one sidewall.

1 . A tray comprising:
 at least one sidewall having a top edge, an interior surface, and an exterior surface;   a bottom surface adjacent to the sidewall, the bottom surface and the interior surface combining to form a product receiving space of the tray; and   an injection-molded feature having an anchor portion and a flange portion, the anchor portion being adjacent the interior surface of the at least one sidewall, and the flange portion extending from the anchor portion and being adjacent the top edge of the at least one sidewall.   
     
     
         2 . The tray of  claim 1  wherein the flange portion has a sealing surface for contact with a lid to seal the product receiving space of the tray. 
     
     
         3 . The tray of  claim 1  wherein the anchor portion is in contact with an upper portion of the at least one sidewall that is adjacent to the top edge of the sidewall. 
     
     
         4 . The tray of  claim 1  wherein the flange portion is in contact with the top edge of the at least one sidewall. 
     
     
         5 . The tray of  claim 1  wherein the flange portion extends laterally outward from the anchor portion beyond the top edge of the at least one sidewall. 
     
     
         6 . The tray of  claim 1  wherein the at least one sidewall comprises a lower portion extending upward from the bottom surface, an offset portion foldably connected to the lower portion, and an upper portion extending upward from the offset portion to the top surface of the at least one side panel. 
     
     
         7 . The tray of  claim 6  wherein the exterior surface of the lower portion is substantially coplanar with the exterior surface of the upper portion. 
     
     
         8 . The tray of  claim 6  wherein the exterior surface of the lower portion is spaced apart from the exterior surface of the upper portion. 
     
     
         9 . The tray of  claim 8  wherein the exterior surface of the lower portion is in a parallel planar relationship with the exterior surface of the upper portion and the offset portion is oblique relative to exterior surface of the lower portion and the exterior surface of the upper portion. 
     
     
         10 . The tray of  claim 6  wherein the offset portion is in contact with the anchor portion of the injection-molded structure. 
     
     
         11 . The tray of  claim 1  in combination with a lid, the lid being in sealing contact with the flange portion of the injection-molded structure to seal the tray. 
     
     
         12 . The tray of  claim 11 , wherein the lid comprises a peelable film that is sealingly attached to the flange portion. 
     
     
         13 . The tray of  claim 12  wherein the lid is heat sealed to the flange portion. 
     
     
         14 . The tray of  claim 12  wherein the lid is adhesively attached to the flange portion. 
     
     
         15 . The tray of  claim 12  wherein the lid is ultrasonically sealed to the flange portion. 
     
     
         16 . The tray of  claim 1  wherein the at least one sidewall comprises paperboard and the injection-molded feature comprises resin. 
     
     
         17 . The tray of  claim 1  wherein the anchor portion has a greater cross-sectional area than the flange portion.