Hybrid pulp and thermoformed containers

摘要

A hybrid thermoformed/pulp container comprising a pulp tray with a rim that includes an ear; and a thermoformed frame with a rib that includes a protrusion, wherein the pulp tray can be attached to the thermoformed frame by snapping the ear into position above the protrusion. Alternative embodiments of the invention include a kit for building the hybrid container, and a method of assembling the hybrid container.

主权项

1. A method of using a hybrid thermoformed/pulp container comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a molded pulp tray with a rim and a peripheral flange containing a flange portion extending horizontally from the rim; and (b) providing a thermoformed plastic frame with a rib having an inside wall and an outside wall that define a rib interior region between the inside wall and the outside wall, wherein the outside wall of the rib includes a protrusion extending into the rib interior region; (c) attaching the molded pulp tray to the thermoformed plastic frame by engaging the rim of the molded pulp tray with the rib of the thermoformed plastic frame and snapping the flange portion into position above the protrusion inside the rib interior region with the flange portion bent downward from the rim; wherein the flange portion is bent at an angle between 45 and 75 degrees when the thermoformed plastic frame has been snapped into position on the molded pulp tray.