Clamshell Carton

Abstract

A clamshell carton with a slotted lid hinge and method of using same. The clamshell carton may include a container body, which may include, a floor panel and a plurality of side panels extending about a periphery of the floor panel, the plurality of side panels may include a first side panel, a second side panel, and a rear side panel. The clamshell carton may further include a container lid a top panel, which may include a plurality of a lid side panels extending about a periphery of the top panel, the plurality of lid side panels may include a first lid side panel, a second lid side panel, and a rear lid side panel. The clamshell carton may further include a moveable joint formed between the rear side panel and the rear lid side panel, wherein the container lid may be connected to the container body by the moveable joint, and wherein the container lid may be configured to be movable between a closed position and an opened position; and one or more slots formed along the moveable joint

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter of the invention relates generally to food containers and more particularly to a clamshell carton with slotted lid hinge and method of using same.

BACKGROUND

Various products are known to be purchased by consumers which require a container for ease of transport. For example, in the food and grocery industry it is common to place food items in individual carry-out food containers. There may be certain drawbacks to commonly used carry-out food containers. For example, the covers and/or flaps of cardboard-, paper-, and/or paperboard-based containers do not always open and close reliably.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a clamshell carton is provided. The clamshell carton may include a container body, which may include, a floor panel and a plurality of side panels extending about a periphery of the floor panel, the plurality of side panels may include a first side panel, a second side panel, and a rear side panel. The clamshell carton may further include a container lid a top panel, which may include a plurality of a lid side panels extending about a periphery of the top panel, the plurality of lid side panels may include a first lid side panel, a second lid side panel, and a rear lid side panel. The clamshell carton may further include a moveable joint formed between the rear side panel and the rear lid side panel, wherein the container lid may be connected to the container body by the moveable joint, and wherein the container lid may be configured to be movable between a closed position and an opened position; and one or more slots formed along the moveable joint. The moveable joint may include a fold line at the intersection of the rear side panel and the rear lid side panel, and wherein the fold line may be weakened via one of perforations, scoring, or slits, and wherein the container lid may be separatable from the container body by tearing along the fold line. The container body further may further include a front latch and the container lid may further include a front latch slot, wherein in the closed position the container body front latch may be configured to be received by the container lid front latch slot to secure the container lid in the closed position. The container body front latch may include a generally downward angled hook configuration. The container body and the container lid may include a generally triangular shape. The container lid may be configured to fit over the container body in the closed position, and wherein the lid side panels may be exterior to the container body side panels in the closed position. The one or more slots may include two slots spaced substantially evenly apart from one another. The one or more slots may include three slots spaced substantially evenly apart from one another. The one or more slots may include four slots spaced substantially evenly apart from one another. The one or more slots may be generally ovular in shape. The one or more slots may have a width of about ¼ inch. The one or more slots may have a length in the range of about 1 inch to about 3 inches. The one or more slots may include a spacing therebetween in the range of about ¾ inches to about 2 inches. The center horizontal axis of the one or more slots may be in horizontal alignment with the moveable joint formed where the rear side panel and the rear lid side panel intersect. The carton may further include a window formed within the top panel. The window may include at least one of a transparent film or a semi-transparent film. The container body first side panel and second side panel may be each tapered, increasing in height as they extend away from the container body rear side panel.

In another embodiment, a method of using a clamshell carton with slotted lid hinge is provided. The method may include providing a clamshell carton. The clamshell carton may include a container body, which may include, a floor panel and a plurality of side panels extending about a periphery of the floor panel, the plurality of side panels may include a first side panel, a second side panel, and a rear side panel. The clamshell carton may further include a container lid a top panel, which may include a plurality of a lid side panels extending about a periphery of the top panel, the plurality of lid side panels may include a first lid side panel, a second lid side panel, and a rear lid side panel. The clamshell carton may further include a moveable joint formed between the rear side panel and the rear lid side panel, wherein the container lid may be connected to the container body by the moveable joint, and wherein the container lid may be configured to be movable between a closed position and an opened position; and one or more slots formed along the moveable joint. The method may further include placing contents into the container body and folding the lid portion along the moveable joint to the closed position. The container body may further include a front latch and the container lid may further include a front latch slot, wherein in the closed position the container body front latch may be configured to be received by the container lid front latch slot to secure the container lid in the closed position.

In yet another embodiment, a method of using a clamshell carton with slotted lid hinge is provided. The method may include providing a clamshell carton. The clamshell carton may include a container body, which may include, a floor panel and a plurality of side panels extending about a periphery of the floor panel, the plurality of side panels may include a first side panel, a second side panel, and a rear side panel. The clamshell carton may further include a container lid a top panel, which may include a plurality of a lid side panels extending about a periphery of the top panel, the plurality of lid side panels may include a first lid side panel, a second lid side panel, and a rear lid side panel. The clamshell carton may further include a moveable joint formed between the rear side panel and the rear lid side panel, wherein the container lid may be connected to the container body by the moveable joint, and wherein the container lid may be configured to be movable between a closed position and an opened position; and one or more slots formed along the moveable joint. The method may further include opening the container lid by folding the lid portion along the moveable joint to the open position; removing contents from the container body. The method may further include removing the container lid from the container body by tearing along a weakened fold line formed along the movable joint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the subject matter of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a perspective view when opened and a perspective view when closed, respectively, of an example of a clamshell carton (or container) including a slotted lid hinge, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 illustrate a top view, a bottom view, a front view, a back view, and a side view, respectively, of the clamshell carton shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in the closed state;

FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 illustrate a front view, a back view, a top view, a bottom view, and a side view, respectively, of the clamshell carton shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in the opened state;

FIG. 13 illustrates a plan view of the clamshell carton shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 13 in a flat pre-folded configuration;

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of an example of the clamshell carton (or container) in the opened state and including a slotted lid hinge, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a plan view of the clamshell carton shown in FIG. 14 in a flat pre-folded configuration;

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of an example of the clamshell carton (or container) in the opened state and including a slotted lid hinge, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates a plan view of the clamshell carton shown in FIG. 16 in a flat pre-folded configuration;

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of an example of the clamshell carton (or container) shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and wherein the container lid is separated from the container body, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates a plan view of the clamshell carton shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 13 in a flat pre-folded configuration and including a perforated hinge fold line, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method of using the clamshell carton shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 13, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 illustrate a perspective view when opened and a perspective view when closed, respectively, of an example of a clamshell carton (or container) including a window in the container lid, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 illustrates a top view of the clamshell carton shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 that includes the lid window in the closed state;

FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 illustrate a front view and a back view, respectively, of the clamshell carton shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 that includes the lid window in the opened state;

FIG. 26 illustrates a plan view of the clamshell carton shown in FIG. 21 through FIG. 25 in a flat pre-folded configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 27 illustrates a plan view of the clamshell carton shown in FIG. 21 through FIG. 25 in a flat pre-folded configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 28 illustrates a plan view of the clamshell carton shown in FIG. 21 through FIG. 25 in a flat pre-folded configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The subject matter of the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the subject matter of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the subject matter of the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

In some embodiments, the subject matter of the invention provides a clamshell carton with a slotted lid hinge and a method of using same.

In one example, the clamshell carton (or container) with a slotted lid hinge may be a disposable food carton that is, for example, a cardboard-, paper-, and/or paperboard-based container.

In one example, the clamshell carton (or container) with a slotted lid hinge may be a disposable food carton that is, for example, a triangular- or pie-shaped clamshell carton, such as, but not limited to, a clamshell style pizza slice carton.

In some embodiments, the clamshell carton (or container) with a slotted lid hinge may include a container body and a container lid, and wherein the container body may include a floor panel, two side panels, and a back portion and wherein the container lid may include a top panel, two side panels, and a back portion.

In some embodiments, the clamshell carton (or container) may include a container body and a container lid and wherein the back portion of the floor panel of the container body and the back portion of the top panel of the container lid may be coupled together via a back panel.

In some embodiments, the clamshell carton (or container) may include a container body, a container lid, and a back panel and wherein the back panel may be formed by a lower portion and an upper portion that are foldably coupled along a slotted hinge (or fold) line that may include an arrangement of one or more slots (e.g., two, three, or four slots) and wherein the number of slots may depend on the size of the clamshell carton.

In some embodiments, the clamshell carton (or container) may include a container body, a container lid, and a back panel and wherein the back panel may be formed by a lower portion and an upper portion that are foldably coupled along a slotted hinge (or fold) line and wherein the slotted hinge (or fold) line may be a perforated, scored, slitted, or otherwise weakened hinge (or fold) line.

In some embodiments, the clamshell carton (or container) may include a container body, a container lid, and a back panel and wherein the back panel may be formed by a lower portion and an upper portion that are foldably coupled along a slotted hinge (or fold) line and wherein the container body and the container lid may be separated (e.g., torn apart) along the slotted hinge (or fold) line of the back panel.

In some embodiments, the corner configurations of the clamshell carton (or container) with a slotted lid hinge may be include corner tabs or flaps that may be held, for example, by glue or other adhesive, thermal bonding, or any other suitable technique or mechanism.

In some embodiments, the clamshell carton (or container) with a slotted lid hinge may include a container body and a container lid and wherein the container lid may include a window of any shape (e.g., square, rectangular, circular, ovular, triangular, and the like) or may include no window at all.

Additionally, a method of using the clamshell carton (or container) with a slotted lid hinge is provided.

Referring now to FIG. 1 through FIG. 13 is various views of an example of a clamshell carton (or container) 100 including a slotted lid hinge having four slots, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is a perspective view when opened and a perspective view when closed, respectively, of an example of clamshell carton (or container) 100 including a slotted lid hinge. Further, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 is a top view, a bottom view, a front view, a back view, and a side view, respectively, of clamshell carton 100 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in the closed state. Further, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 is a front view, a back view, a top view, a bottom view, and a side view, respectively, of clamshell carton 100 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in the opened state. Further, FIG. 13 is a plan view of clamshell carton 100 shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 13 in a flat pre-folded configuration and including a slotted lid hinge. With respect to forming, for example, paperboard products, this flat pre-folded configuration is also called a “blank.”

Referring still to FIG. 1 through FIG. 13, clamshell carton 100 may include a container body 110 and a container lid 140. Container body 110 may include a floor panel 112, a first side panel 114 that has a front flap (or tab) 116 and front latch feature 118, and a second side panel 120 that has a front latch feature 122. Container lid 140 may include a top panel 142, a first side panel 144 that has a front flap (or tab) 146 and front latch slot 148, and a second side panel 150.

The back portions of container body 110 and container lid 140 are coupled together via a back panel 160. Back panel 160 may be formed by a lower portion 162 and an upper portion 166 that are foldably coupled along a slotted hinge (or fold) line 170. A back edge of floor panel 112 of container body 110 may be foldably coupled to lower portion 162 of back panel 160. Similarly, a back edge of top panel 142 of container lid 140 may be foldably coupled to upper portion 166 of back panel 160. Further, an arrangement of slots 172 may be provided along slotted hinge (or fold) line 170 between lower portion 162 and upper portion 166. Accordingly, slotted hinge (or fold) line 170 with slots 172 may form a moveable joint between container body 110 and container lid 140 such that container lid 140 may be configured to be movable between a closed position and an opened position; and one or more slots 172 formed along the moveable joint.

Additionally, in one non-limiting example, the corners of clamshell carton 100 may utilize an inside glue design. For example, the corners may be secured via an adhesive, thermal bonding, or any other suitable technique or mechanism. For example, front flap (or tab) 116 of first side panel 114 may be, for example, adhered to the inside of second side panel 120 to form a front corner of container body 110. Likewise, front flap (or tab) 146 of first side panel 144 may be, for example, adhered to the inside of second side panel 150 to form a front corner of container lid 140.

Further, lower portion 160 of back panel 160 may include two end flaps (or tabs) 164 that may be, for example, adhered to the inside of first side panel 114 and second side panel 120 of container body 110, respectively, to form corners thereof. Similarly, upper portion 166 of back panel 160 may include two end flaps (or tabs) 168 that may be, for example, adhered to the inside of first side panel 144 and second side panel 150 of container lid 140, respectively, to form corners thereof.

Accordingly, container body 110 may be defined as floor panel 112, first side panel 114, second side panel 120, and the lower portion 162 of back panel 160. Further, container lid 140 may be defined as top panel 142, first side panel 144, second side panel 150, and the upper portion 166 of back panel 160. For example, container lid 140 may be separated from container body 110 by tearing back panel 160 along slotted hinge (or fold) line 170 (and slots 172), as shown, for example, in FIG. 18.

Further, when clamshell carton 100 is in the closed state, front latch features 118 and 122 of container body 110 are designed to be received by and/or fitted into front latch slot 148 of container lid 140, as shown, for example, in FIG. 2.

Referring still to FIG. 1 through FIG. 13, when folded or assembled and in the closed state, the overall width of clamshell carton 100 at the back panel 160, may be in the range of about 7 inches to about 12 inches, and in one non-limiting example about 9.5 inches, the overall depth of clamshell carton 100 may be in the range of about 1 inch to about 3 inches, and in one non-limiting example about 1⅝ inches, and the overall length of clamshell carton 100, from front to back, i.e., along a center line from front latch feature 118/122 to back panel 160, may be in the range of about 7 inches to about 12 inches, and in one non-limiting example about 9 inches.

Further, with respect to clamshell carton 100 being, for example, a disposable food container, clamshell carton 100 may be formed of any lightweight, rigid or semi-rigid material that is suitable for holding and/or transporting, for example, a quantity of food and that is also suitable for disposing of after use. For example, clamshell carton 100 can be formed of corrugated cardboard, paper, paperboard, post-consumer paperboard (i.e., recycled materials), biodegradable materials (e.g., sugarcane and paper), polystyrene foam (e.g., Styrofoam), plastic, molded fiber, and the like.

Clamshell carton 100 is not limited to four slots 172 as shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 13, rather the number of slots 172 along slotted hinge (or fold) line 170 of back panel 160 may vary, and may include less or more than four. In another example, FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an example of clamshell carton (or container) 100 in the opened state and including three slots 172 along slotted hinge (or fold) line 170, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 15 is a plan view of clamshell carton 100 shown in FIG. 14 in a flat pre-folded configuration and including the three slots 172.

In yet another example, FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an example of clamshell carton (or container) 100 in the opened state and including two slots 172 along slotted hinge (or fold) line 170, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 17 is a plan view of clamshell carton 100 shown in FIG. 16 in a flat pre-folded configuration and including the two slots 172.

Clamshell carton (or container) 100 may be designed such that container lid 140 may be separated from container body 110 and thereby providing two serving plates of sort to the user. For example, container lid 140 and container body 110 may be separated (e.g., torn apart) along the slotted hinge (or fold) line 170 of back panel 160. An example of clamshell carton 100 in which container lid 140 is separated from container body 110 is shown in FIG. 18, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Further, to assist in the separation process, slotted hinge (or fold) line 170 (with slots 172) may be a perforated hinge (or fold) line, as shown, for example, in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a plan view of clamshell carton 100 shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 13 in a flat pre-folded configuration and including a perforated hinge fold line 170, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In other examples, hinge fold line 170, instead of being perforated, may be scored, slitted, or otherwise weakened to facilitate tearing along the hinge fold line 170.

Referring now to FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of an example of a method 200 of using clamshell carton 100 shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 13, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Method 200 may include, but is not limited to, the following steps.

At a step 210, a clamshell carton is provided including a slotted lid hinge. For example, clamshell carton 100 may be provided that includes one or more slots 172 (e.g., four, three, or two slots 172) along slotted hinge (or fold) line 170, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1 through FIG. 13.

At a step 215, any contents may be placed into the clamshell carton. For example, container lid 140 of clamshell carton 100 may be opened and then food, such as a slice of pizza, may be placed into container body 110 of clamshell carton 100.

At a step 220, the clamshell carton lid is opened and closed at will with respect to the clamshell carton body. For example, container lid 140 of clamshell carton 100 may be opened and closed at will with respect to container body 110 of clamshell carton 100.

At an optional step 225, the clamshell carton lid is separated from the clamshell carton body along the slotted lid hinge and then one or both may be used as serving plates. For example, container lid 140 and container body 110 may be separated (e.g., torn apart) along the slotted hinge (or fold) line 170 of back panel 160. An example of clamshell carton 100 in which container lid 140 is separated from container body 110 is shown in FIG. 18.

In other examples, the container lid of the clamshell carton may include a window. Examples of which are shown below in FIG. 21 through FIG. 28.

Referring now to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 is a perspective view when opened and a perspective view when closed, respectively, of an example of a clamshell carton (or container) 105 including a window 180 in container lid 140, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. That is, clamshell carton 105 is substantially the same as clamshell carton 100 described above in FIG. 1 through FIG. 20 except for the inclusion of window 180 in top panel 142 of container lid 140.

In this example, window 180 may be triangular-shaped to correspond to the triangular shape of clamshell carton 105. Accordingly, window 180 may be shaped and sized to fit within top panel 142 of container lid 140 as shown. In one example, the overall width of window 180 may be in the range of about 2 inches to about 8 inches, and in one non-limiting example about 3.5 inches, and the overall height of window 180 may be in the range of about 2.5 inches to about 6.5 inches, and in one non-limiting example about 3.5 inches. Window 180 may be of any shape.

Referring now to FIG. 23 is a top view of clamshell carton 105 in the closed state and showing lid window 180 in top panel 142 of container lid 140. Further, FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 is a front view and a back view, respectively, of clamshell carton 105 in the opened state and showing window 180 in top panel 142 of container lid 140.

Like clamshell carton 100, clamshell carton 105 with window 180 may include any number of slots 172. For example, FIG. 26 is a plan view of clamshell carton 105 in a flat pre-folded configuration and including four slots 172 along slotted hinge (or fold) line 170. Next, FIG. 27 is a plan view of clamshell carton 105 in a flat pre-folded configuration and including three slots 172 along slotted hinge (or fold) line 170. Next, FIG. 28 is a plan view of clamshell carton 105 in a flat pre-folded configuration and including two slots 172 along slotted hinge (or fold) line 170.

Referring now to FIG. 1 through FIG. 28, the number of slots 172 of clamshell carton 100 may vary, for example, depending on the length of slotted hinge (or fold) line 170 (i.e., the width of clamshell carton 100,105). In one non-limiting example, the length of each slot 172 may be in the range of about 1⅜ inch to about 2 inches. Further, in one non-limiting example, the spacing between slots 172 may vary, and may be in the range of about ¾ inches to about 2 inches. Further still, in one non-limiting example, the width of slots 172 may be about ¼ inch. Further, the spacing between slots 172 may differ from another, as well their lengths and widths. Additionally, the length, spacing, and width of slots 172 may vary, and may be greater than or less than the referenced dimensions, for example depending on the number of slots 172.

Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth.

Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the subject matter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments±100%, in some embodiments±50%, in some embodiments±20%, in some embodiments±10%, in some embodiments±5%, in some embodiments±1%, in some embodiments±0.5%, and in some embodiments±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions.

Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range.

Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clamshell carton, comprising: a. a container body, comprising: i. a floor panel; andii. a plurality of side panels extending about a periphery of the floor panel, the plurality of side panels comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, and a rear side panel;b. a container lid, comprising: i. a top panel; andii. a plurality of a lid side panels extending about a periphery of the top panel, the plurality of lid side panels comprising a first lid side panel, a second lid side panel, and a rear lid side panel;c. a moveable joint formed between the rear side panel and the rear lid side panel, wherein the container lid is connected to the container body by the moveable joint, and wherein the container lid is configured to be movable between a closed position and an opened position; andd. one or more slots formed along the moveable joint.

2. The clamshell carton of claim 1, wherein the moveable joint comprises a fold line at the intersection of the rear side panel and the rear lid side panel, and wherein the fold line is weakened via one of perforations, scoring, or slits, and wherein the container lid is separatable from the container body by tearing along the fold line.

3. The clamshell carton of claim 1, wherein the container body further comprises a front latch and the container lid further comprises a front latch slot, wherein in the closed position the container body front latch is configured to be received by the container lid front latch slot to secure the container lid in the closed position.

4. The clamshell carton of claim 3, wherein the container body front latch comprises a generally downward angled hook configuration.

5. The clamshell carton of claim 1, wherein the container body and the container lid comprise a generally triangular shape.

6. The clamshell carton of claim 1, wherein the container lid is configured to fit over the container body in the closed position, and wherein the lid side panels are exterior to the container body side panels in the closed position.

7. The clamshell carton of claim 1, wherein the one or more slots comprise two slots spaced substantially evenly apart from one another.

8. The clamshell carton of claim 1, wherein the one or more slots comprise three slots spaced substantially evenly apart from one another.

9. The clamshell carton of claim 1, wherein the one or more slots comprise four slots spaced substantially evenly apart from one another.

10. The clamshell carton of claim 1, wherein the one or more slots are generally ovular in shape.

11. The clamshell carton of claim 1, wherein the one or more slots have a width of about ¼ inch.

12. The clamshell carton of claim 1, wherein the one or more slots comprise a length in the range of about 1 inch to about 2 inches.

13. The clamshell carton of claim 1, wherein the one or more slots comprise a spacing therebetween in the range of about ¾ inches to about 2 inches.

14. The clamshell carton of claim 1, wherein a center horizontal axis of the one or more slots is in horizontal alignment with the moveable joint formed where the rear side panel and the rear lid side panel intersect.

15. The clamshell carton of claim 1, further comprising a window formed within the top panel.

16. The clamshell carton of claim 15, wherein the window comprises at least one of a transparent film or a semi-transparent film.

17. The clamshell carton of claim 1, wherein the container body first side panel and second side panel are each tapered increasing in height as they extend away from the container body rear side panel.

18. A method of using a clamshell carton, comprising: a. providing a clamshell carton, comprising: i. a container body, comprising: 1. a floor panel; and2. a plurality of side panels extending about a periphery of the floor panel, the plurality of side panels comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, and a rear side panel;ii. a container lid, comprising: 1. a top panel; and2. a plurality of a lid side panels extending about a periphery of the top panel, the plurality of lid side panels comprising a first lid side panel, a second lid side panel, and a rear lid side panel;iii. a moveable joint formed between the rear side panel and the rear lid side panel, wherein the container lid is connected to the container body by the moveable joint, and wherein the container lid is configured to be movable between a closed position and an opened position; andiv. one or more slots formed along the moveable joint.b. placing contents into the container body; andc. folding the lid portion along the moveable joint to the closed position.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the container body further comprises a front latch and the container lid further comprises a front latch slot, wherein in the closed position the container body front latch is configured to be received by the container lid front latch slot to secure the container lid in the closed position.

20. A method of using a clamshell carton, comprising: a. providing a clamshell carton in a closed position with contents housed inside, the clamshell carton comprising: i. a container body, comprising: a floor panel; anda plurality of side panels extending about a periphery of the floor panel, the plurality of side panels comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, and a rear side panel;ii. a container lid, comprising: a top panel; anda plurality of a lid side panels extending about a periphery of the top panel, the plurality of lid side panels comprising a first lid side panel, a second lid side panel, and a rear lid side panel;iii. a moveable joint formed between the rear side panel and the rear lid side panel, wherein the container lid is connected to the container body by the moveable joint, and wherein the container lid is configured to be movable between a closed position and an opened position; andiv. one or more slots formed along the moveable joint.b. opening the container lid by folding the lid portion along the moveable joint to the open position; andc. removing the contents from the container body.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising removing the container lid from the container body by tearing along a weakened fold line formed along the movable joint.