U.S. patent application number 11/173302 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for insertable compartmentalized packaging container.
This patent application is currently assigned to PWP Industries. Invention is credited to Dean Brown, Terry Vovan.
Application Number | 20070000922 11/173302 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37588241 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070000922 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vovan; Terry ; et
al. |
January 4, 2007 |
Insertable compartmentalized packaging container
Abstract
A prepackaged food container system comprising a larger first
container that is releaseably attached to a smaller second
container is described. The first container may be used to contain
food product such as vegetable, fruit or bakery items, and the
second container used to hold a matching condiment. The second
container is releaseably attached to the lid of the first container
and may be placed on the outside or inside of the first container
as desired by the food packager and/or consumer. Attaching the
containers together is achieved using commonly known snap-fit
mechanisms that may be continuous grooves or ribs on the periphery
of the side wall; alternatively, the snap-fit mechanism may be
cantilever-type. The food product contents of both containers may
be mixed in the larger first container and consumed directly from
said first container. Plastic food containers with lids allows for
sealing, release and re-sealing multiple times without
deterioration in reliability.
Inventors: |
Vovan; Terry; (Rialto,
CA) ; Brown; Dean; (Beaverton, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Terrance Mason
12349 Milbank Street
Studio City
CA
91604
US
|
Assignee: |
PWP Industries
|
Family ID: |
37588241 |
Appl. No.: |
11/173302 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.27 ;
206/508; 220/23.83; 220/23.87; 220/522; 53/471 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 77/2024 20130101;
B65D 51/28 20130101; B65D 51/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/004.27 ;
053/471; 220/023.83; 220/023.87; 220/522; 206/508 |
International
Class: |
B65B 7/28 20060101
B65B007/28; B65D 6/28 20060101 B65D006/28; B65D 21/02 20060101
B65D021/02 |
Claims
1. A food container system, comprising: a first container including
a lid; a lidded second container including a lid is volumetrically
smaller than the first container; wherein the lid of the first
container and second container are adapted to be releaseably
lockable to each other through the use of one or more snap-fit
grips.
2. The container system of claim 1 wherein the mating surfaces of
the snap-fit is in continuous contact with each other when
locked.
3. The container system of claim 1 wherein the snap-fit comprises:
a plurality of cantilever-based male ribs in the lid of the first
container; and a corresponding mating female groove in the sidewall
of the second container.
4. The container system of claim 1, wherein the second container is
releaseably lockable to the topside of the lid of the first
container.
5. The container system of claim 1, wherein the second container is
releaseably lockable to the underside of the lid of the first
container.
6. The container system of claim 1 wherein the material of the
first container is Polystyrene, Polypropylene, Polyethylene
Terephthalate, Polylactide, Polyvinyl Chloride, or other rigid
polymers.
7. The container system of claim 1 wherein the material of the
second container is Polystyrene, Polypropylene, Polyethylene
Terephthalate, Polylactide, Polyvinyl Chloride, or other rigid
polymers.
8. The container system of claim 1 wherein the lid of the first
container is circular.
9. The container system of claim 1 wherein the lid of the first
container is a polygon.
10. The container system in claim 1 wherein the lid of the first
container is flat.
11. The container system in claim 1 wherein the lid of the first
container is dome-shaped.
12. The container system of claim 1 wherein the lid of the first
container is a tamper-evident lid.
13. The container system in claim 1 wherein the lateral
cross-section of the second container is circular.
14. The container system in claim 1 wherein the lateral
cross-section of the second container is a polygon.
15. The container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lateral
cross-section of the second container is square.
16. The container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lateral
cross-section of the second container is rectangular.
17. The container system in claim 1 further comprising: a recess in
the topside of the lid of the first container, the recess having a
lateral cross-sectional shape that is homogeneous with but
marginally larger than the cross-sectional shape of the second
container; a second container tray having a lateral cross-sectional
area that decreases from its rim to its floor; wherein the second
container can be fitted snugly into the recess of lid of the first
container.
18. The container system in claim 17 wherein the depth of the
recess of the first container ranges from 1 millimeter to
approximately the length of the second container measured in its
axial direction.
19. The container system in claim 17 wherein the recess includes a
slot of sufficient size to allow the consumer to insert the tip of
their finger and to facilitate release of the second container from
the lid of the first container.
20. The container system in claim 1 wherein the first container is
formed with a recess in the underside of its lid to hold the second
container wherein the depth of the recess is approximately the
length of the second container measured in its axial direction.
21. The container system of claim 1 in which the container system
is stackable.
22. A method of prepackaged food assembly, comprising: placing a
food product into a first container; enclosing this first container
with a rigid polymer lid; placing another food product into a
second container; enclosing the food product of this second
container with a lid; and connecting the first and second
containers using a releaseably lockable snap-fit.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to rigid food packaging
containment that preserves and facilitates the displaying of
contents. More particularly, the invention relates to a food
packaging containment system where a first food container and a
second, smaller food container are held together by snap-fit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Retail markets have historically utilized rigid and flexible
plastic containers to contain and display perishable and fragile
food items, such as salads and bakery items. These traditional
roles of plastic packaging are now the minimum expected standards,
and the requirements placed on plastic food packaging continue to
expand as increasing demands are placed upon it. Presentation,
brand presence, consumer desires, added value to enhance commercial
competitiveness, differentiation, imagery and psychology has
resulted in the design and application of plastic packaging
becoming more challenging. Consumers' increasing propensity to eat
and drink on-the-go are identified as growing trends. Not
surprisingly therefore, convenience is shaping the future of
packaging, with consumers gravitating toward packaged convenience
items that minimize the impact on their behavior forcing packaging
manufacturers to include social and environmental considerations
into their development process.
[0003] Pre-packaged, ready-to-eat food items such as vegetable
and/or fruit salads are generally offered to consumers in flexible
containers that are made from clear plastic material to permit the
consumer to view the product without touching (contaminating) the
product. Current available pre-packaged, ready-to-eat food items
often contain smaller second rigid plastic or foil packaged items,
e.g. condiment or salad dressing, that is intended for the consumer
to combine with the vegetable and/or fruit contained in the first
container prior to consuming. However, flexible packaging has
significant deficiencies. Care needs to be taken in handling since
the food product is not protected from being crushed; similarly,
flexible packaging does not easily permit package stacking for bulk
shipping and display purposes. It is also frequently difficult to
read the labeling of the second container because it is obscured by
the contents of the first package and/or the labeling on that first
container. Additionally, although the consumer may desire the food
product of first container, product sales are lost because of the
consumer's preference for different condiment or salad dressing. In
response to the evolving demands of consumers, retailers continue
to seek novel plastic packaging solutions to improve on the safety,
convenience and therefore marketability of food product.
[0004] As such, the inventors recognizes that greater utility of
such food containers would be obtained through an integrated
compartmentalization approach that is convenient, accurate and
increases the aesthetic qualities of the perishable product
contained in the packaging. The present invention fulfills this
need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to an integrated food
container system. The first container holds the food product (e.g.
salad) and the second container holds a second food product (e.g.
condiment). The first container comprises a tray and a lid, where
the tray and the lid may be hinged. Fastfood, as well as
prepackaged food product has been available in this convenient form
for many years. In the present invention, the food product contents
of the first and second containers are therefore separate. In one
embodiment of the invention, the first and second containers are
integrated via a releaseably lockable snap-fit grip with the
smaller, second container mounted on the top of lid of the larger,
first container, that is, outside of the first container. More
specifically, the elements comprising the snap-fit enable a force
fit between the lid of the first container and a second condiment
container. The snap-fit may include on the periphery or cantilever
types. Therefore, the retail outlet may provide the consumer with
prepackaged product that clearly displays both food items (e.g.
salad dressing and salad) as a single product item for sale.
[0006] In another embodiment of the invention, the second container
may be attached to the first container via a releaseably lockable
snap-fit grip on the underside of the lid of the first container;
the second container would therefore be in the inside of the first
container. In this manner, the consumer is given greater latitude
of product choice, e.g. choosing a first container holding one of a
variety of different salads and a second container holding one of a
variety of different salad dressings.
[0007] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not
intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the container system that
shows one embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 1A is a top view of the container system in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 1B is a side cross-sectional view of the container
system in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 1C is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the
releaseably lockable snap-fit grip of the container system in FIG.
1.
[0013] FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the second container with a
flexible foil lid.
[0014] FIG. 1E is a perspective view of the second container with
an alternative snap-fit grip lid.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2A is a top view of the container system in FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 2B is a side cross-sectional view of the container
system in FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 2C is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the
releaseably lockable snap-fit grip of the container system in FIG.
2.
[0019] FIG. 2D is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the two
releaseably lockable snap-fit mechanisms firstly between the tray
and lid of the second container and secondly between the lid of the
first container and the lid of the second container.
[0020] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the container system that
shows another embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 3A is a top view of the container system in FIG. 3.
[0022] FIG. 3B is a side cross-sectional view of the container
system in FIG. 3.
[0023] FIG. 3C is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the
releaseably lockable snap-fit grip of the container system in FIG.
3.
[0024] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the
invention side.
[0025] FIG. 4A is a top view of the lid of the first container of
the container system in FIG. 4.
[0026] FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view of the container
system in FIG. 4.
[0027] FIG. 4C is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the
releaseably lockable snap-fit grip of the container system in FIG.
4.
[0028] FIG. 4D is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the
indentation in the lid of the first container of the container
system in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The following description of the preferred embodiment is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses. Turning now in detail to FIGS.
1-1E, therein illustrated is a food container system 10 that
includes a first container comprising a lower tray 20 into which
food such as fruit and/or vegetable salad is placed, and lid 18
that when mounted on the lower tray 20 will seal the food contents,
and a second, smaller container 12 that contains another food item
such as relish, vinegar, spice, salad dressing or other condiment
and which is further releaseably fastened on the lid 18 of the
first container using a snap-fit. It is anticipated that greater
convenience is achieved and that the food packager and retailer's
end user client, the consumer, will be able to select such food
combination product more easily and readily.
[0030] The figures illustrate packaging concepts made from plastic,
which is made up principally of a binder together with
plasticizers, fillers, pigments, and other additives. There is
significant literature on the chemistry and manufacturing
processes, as well as applications related to plastics. For the
purposes of this invention, plastic trays and matching lids have
been available in a variety of designs and has found applications
in numerous markets from food and general purpose industrial
product to retail products because of its versatility in material
characteristics allowing the plastic designer to affect its
strength, imperviousness, flexibility, robustness, mold-ability and
clarity, among other things. In the embodiment shown, the second
container 12 is releaseably lockable to the lid 18 of the first
container via discretely located male snap-fit ribs 16 such that
they are generally opposing, and a matching female groove 14
located in the sidewall of the second container.
[0031] It may be useful to note that snap-fits as referred to here
are commonly used as an assembly method for rigid polymer molded
parts, and they have become more important and useful in
simplifying assembly and reducing costs. A snap-fit is a mechanical
joint system where part-to-part attachment is accomplished with
locking features (constraint features) that are homogenous with one
or the other of the components being joined. Joining requires the
(flexible) locking features to move aside for engagement with the
mating part, followed by return of the locking feature toward its
original position to accomplish the interference fit required to
latch the components together. Snap-fits eliminate other joining
methods, e.g. screws, clips, and adhesives. The illustrations
contained in the figures show that the snap-fits are molded into
the lid of the first container and the sidewall of the second
container, thus dispensing with the need for screws, clips or
adhesives to integrate them together. Additionally and especially
with respect to rigid polymer products, the containers can be
assembled, disassembled and reassembled many times over without a
decline in reliability. However, in order to enable a quality
snap-fit, a high degree of precision is needed to ensure that the
force-fitting of the male to female elements of the snap-fit is
true. As illustrated, the second container 12 is releaseably locked
to the top side 19 of the lid 18 of the first container 20. The
peripheral female groove 14 in the sidewall of the second
container, as well as discrete cantilever-type male ribs 16 as
shown in FIGS. 1, 1B and 1C are a relatively common convenient form
of snap-fit joint between two symmetric parts. The cross-section of
the mating parts can be circular (annular) or any polygonal shape
provided, however, that the male and female elements of the
snap-fit are symmetric. For the embodiments described, the joint is
meant to be easily detachable as opposed to being made to be
inseparable. FIGS. 1D, 1E and 1F illustrate how the food contents
of the second container 12 may be protected by using a flexible
foil-type lid 22 that is attached to the flange 15 of the second
container typically using an adhesive or a snap-fit grip lid 23,
both techniques of which have been practiced and continue to be
used in the marketplace. Convenience to the consumer is increase by
allow them to rapidly assess and decide on food combinations and
find it easier to stack the product together with their other
purchases. It is anticipated that some consumers will combine the
two food products into the first container, re-fasten its lid 18
and shake the contents in order to better mix the contents.
[0032] In another embodiment of the invention, and as illustrated
in FIGS. 2-2D, the second container 12 is placed inside of the
first container and is further releaseably attached to the
underside 21 of the lid 18 of the first container. In this
configuration, the male element of the snap-fit grip is the raised
ribs 26 on the underside 21 of the lid 18 of the first container.
Attachment of the second container 12 to the underside 21 of the
lid 18 of the first container is achieved through a snap-fit grip
directly between the flange 15 of the second container 12 to the
raised ribs 26 on the underside 21of the lid 18 of the first
container. Alternatively, if the second container 12 were to
utilize the snap-fit grip lid 23, a similar releaseably lockable
snap-fit attachment can be achieved between this lid 23 and the lid
18 of the first container as illustrated in FIG. 2D. In response to
consumers' desire to view food product prior to purchase, food
packagers have increasingly turned to clear plastic material such
as that afforded by Polyethylene Terephthalate. Additionally, food
packagers desire to advertise and are generally required to affix
labels of the product content to the side wall and/or top of
packaging for viewing by the prospective consumer. Therefore, in
this embodiment, it is possible for the prospective consumer to
view labeling on either the flexible-type lid 22 or snap-fit grip
lid 23 through the clear plastic lid 18 of the first container 20.
This embodiment permits the food retail operator to provide a fixed
or standardized combination of food products where desirable. A
further variation of this embodiment of the invention illustrated
in FIGS. 3-3C.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 3-3C, another embodiment is shown in
which the second container 12 is placed is a recess 28 on the
underside 21 of lid 18 of the first container. The flange 15 of the
second container 12 engages with the male ribs 26 thereby creating
a snap-fit grip as previously described. This embodiment increases
the volumetric capacity of the first container when compared to the
configuration illustrated in FIGS. 2- 2D. FIGS. 3 and 3A and
depicts both a hexagonal cross-sectioned recess 28 and
corresponding hexagonal cross-sectioned second container 12. This
is intended to demonstrate that alternative embodiments of the
recess and the second container may assume any of a variety of
cross-section configurations from circular as in FIGS. 1 and 2 to
any polygonal configuration as may be desired to increase the
marketability of the food product. Furthermore, attachment of the
containers may, in alternative embodiments, include snap-fit grips
that include a continuous peripheral male rib (not shown) on the
underside 21 of the lid 18 of the first container that is used to
mate with its corresponding female groove 14.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 4-4D, an embodiment is shown in which a
recess 30 is made in the top side 19 of the lid 18 of the first
container into which the second container is placed and is
additionally held in place by snap-fit grips made up by male ribs
32 on the edge of the recess 30. Of note is the inclusion of a
finger slot 34 in the periphery of the recess 30 of sufficient size
to allow the consumer to insert their finger under the flange 15 of
the second container 12 to facilitate its release from the lid 18
of the first container. As shown in greater detail in FIG. 4D, the
finger slot 34 has preferably a contoured edge 35 to enable easy
entry. Another advantage of this configuration is that the surface
of the top of the second container is flush with that of the first
container thereby permitting additional packaging advertising or
accessories to be attached to the final sale product. Although a
relatively flat lid 18 of the first container is shown, alternative
embodiments or variations made include dome lids that can help to
increase the volumetric capacity of the first container.
[0035] The invention is susceptible to various modifications and
alternative forms. The description of the invention is merely
exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from
the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of
the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a
departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *