Food tray and lid apparatus

Abstract

A food carrying apparatus with a receptacle and a lid is provided. The receptacle includes a base and a sidewall. The sidewall extends from the base and includes a rim forming an opening into the receptacle. The receptacle further includes at least a pair of slits formed through the sidewall. Each slit is formed on opposing sides of one another on the sidewall. The lid includes a pair of locking tabs. Each of the tabs is formed on opposing sides of one another on the lid. The pair of locking tabs aligns with the pair of slits. To removably attach the lid to the receptacle, the tabs slidably engage the slits and cover the opening. The receptacle and the lid may be made of a paper based material to be used with food and then disposed of.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A food carrying apparatus comprising:
 a receptacle comprising a base and a sidewall extending from the base and comprising a rim forming an opening into the receptacle, wherein a pair of slits are formed through the sidewall, wherein each slit is formed on opposing sides of the sidewall; and   a lid comprising a pair of locking tabs, wherein each locking tab is formed on opposing sides of the lid,   wherein the pair of locking tabs align and slidably engage with the pair of slits, thereby removeably attaching the lid to the receptacle and covering the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The food carrying apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall comprises four sides, wherein at least two opposing sides of the four sides each comprise the slit. 
     
     
         3 . The food carrying apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the lid comprises four sides, wherein at least two opposing sides of the four sides each comprise the locking tab. 
     
     
         4 . The food carrying apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a side flap extending downward from each of the two opposing sides of the lid, wherein each of the side flaps comprise the locking tab. 
     
     
         5 . The food carrying apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a lifting tab extending from each of the side flaps. 
     
     
         6 . The food carrying apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the locking tabs are formed from cutout portions of the side flaps. 
     
     
         7 . The food carrying apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises an edge, wherein the pair of locking tabs extend from the edge. 
     
     
         8 . The food carrying apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle and the lid are made of a paper based material.