Food Container with Access Tab

Abstract

A container includes a base and a lid. The base includes a lock channel. The lid includes a rim. The rim of the lid is configured to engage with the lock channel in the base to retain the base and the lid in a closed position. The container also includes a first tab on the base and a second tab on the lid. The first tab extends outward approximately perpendicular to a vertical direction. A portion of the second tab may be deflected upward at an oblique angle when the lid and the base are in the closed position. A first portion of the second tab may be received within the first tab and a second portion of the second tab may extend upward and out of the first tab at an oblique angle when the lid and the base are in the closed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container defining a vertical direction, the container comprising:
 a base comprising a floor and a lock channel extending around a perimeter of the base outward of the floor;   a lid extending along the vertical direction between a ceiling approximately at a top of the lid and an opening approximately at a bottom of the lid, the lid comprising a rim extending around a perimeter of the lid approximately at the bottom of the lid, the rim of the lid configured to engage with the lock channel in the base whereby the rim is retained within the lock channel when the base and the lid are in a closed position, wherein a storage volume of the container is defined by and between the base and the lid when the base and the lid are in the closed position;   a first tab on the base, the first tab extending outward approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction, the first tab comprising a pocket contiguous with the lock channel and a ramp surface defined within the pocket of the first tab; and   a second tab on the lid, the second tab received within the first tab when the base and the lid are in the closed position, wherein the ramp surface of the first tab deflects a portion of the second tab upward at an angle oblique to the vertical direction when the lid and the base are in the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the second tab is integrally joined to the rim of the lid, wherein the second tab extends at the angle oblique to the vertical direction to a free end when the lid and the base are in the closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the base comprises an outer wall defining an outer side of the lock channel and a flange extending from a top of the outer wall, wherein the free end of the second tab extends above the flange of the base when the lid and the base are in the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the first end of the second tab is positioned at approximately the same vertical position as a bottom of the lock channel of the base when the lid and the base are in the closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the second tab extends at the angle oblique to the vertical direction from an intermediate portion of the second tab to the free end when the lid and the base are in the closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the second tab is integrally joined to a remainder of the lid, the second tab having a continuous and uniform material type and thickness across an entirety of the second tab, wherein the second tab remains joined to the remainder of the lid when the base and the lid move from the closed position to an open position. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the second tab does not include a frangible portion, whereby the second tab remains joined to a remainder of the lid when the base and the lid move from the closed position to an open position. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the second tab is spaced apart from the first tab when the lid and the base are in the closed position, whereby an access opening is defined between the first tab and the second tab when the lid and the base are in the closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first tab is positioned at a corner of the base and the second tab is positioned at a corner of the lid. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter of the base comprises at least one curvilinear portion and the perimeter of the lid comprises at least one curvilinear portion, wherein the first tab is positioned along the curvilinear portion of the perimeter of the base and the second tab is positioned along the curvilinear portion of the perimeter of the lid. 
     
     
         11 . A container defining a vertical direction, the container comprising:
 a base comprising a lock channel extending around a perimeter of the base;   a lid comprising a rim extending around a perimeter of the lid approximately at a bottom of the lid, the rim of the lid configured to engage with the lock channel in the base whereby the rim is retained within the lock channel when the base and the lid are in a closed position, wherein a storage volume of the container is defined by and between the base and the lid when the base and the lid are in the closed position;   a first tab on the base, the first tab extending outward approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction; and   a second tab on the lid, a first portion of the second tab received within the first tab when the base and the lid are in the closed position, and a second portion of the second tab extending upward at an angle oblique to the vertical direction and out of the first tab when the lid and the base are in the closed position.   
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the second tab is integrally joined to the rim of the lid, wherein the second portion of the second tab extends at the angle oblique to the vertical direction to a free end when the lid and the base are in the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the base comprises an outer wall defining an outer side of the lock channel and a flange extending from a top of the outer wall, wherein the free end of the second tab extends above the flange of the base when the lid and the base are in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the first end of the second tab is positioned at approximately the same vertical position as a bottom of the lock channel of the base when the lid and the base are in the closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the second portion of the second tab extends at the angle oblique to the vertical direction from an intermediate portion of the second tab to the free end when the lid and the base are in the closed position. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the second tab is integrally joined to a remainder of the lid, the second tab having a continuous and uniform material type and thickness across an entirety of the second tab, wherein the second tab remains joined to the remainder of the lid when the base and the lid move from the closed position to an open position. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the second tab does not include a frangible portion, whereby the second tab remains joined to a remainder of the lid when the base and the lid move from the closed position to an open position. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the second tab is spaced apart from the first tab when the lid and the base are in the closed position, whereby an access opening is defined between the first tab and the second tab when the lid and the base are in the closed position. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the first tab is positioned at a corner of the base and the second tab is positioned at a corner of the lid. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the perimeter of the base comprises at least one curvilinear portion and the perimeter of the lid comprises at least one curvilinear portion, wherein the first tab is positioned along the curvilinear portion of the perimeter of the base and the second tab is positioned along the curvilinear portion of the perimeter of the lid.