U.S. patent application number 11/747791 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-06 for multi-compartment to-go container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Placon Corporation. Invention is credited to Gerald Eggenberger, Donald E. McCumber, James L. Trost.
Application Number | 20070278122 11/747791 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38788844 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070278122 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCumber; Donald E. ; et
al. |
December 6, 2007 |
Multi-Compartment To-Go Container
Abstract
Two food elements are supplied in a container assembly which may
be placed on a horizontal support surface or supported in an
automobile cup holder. A smaller secondary cup is received within a
secondary cup cavity cantilevered to one side of a thermoformed
thermoplastic primary container which has exterior dimensions
suited to a cup holder. The primary container has a main
compartment which receives another food element. The base of the
primary container is inclined from the rim of the primary
container, such that the center of gravity of the primary container
with secondary cup and edible material overlies the primary
container bottom wall when the bottom wall is supported on a
horizontal surface. A column in the primary container side wall
extends from a protruding toe portion of the bottom wall to engage
and support the secondary cup cavity.
Inventors: |
McCumber; Donald E.;
(Madison, WI) ; Trost; James L.; (New Berlin,
WI) ; Eggenberger; Gerald; (Plymouth, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STIENNON & STIENNON
612 W. MAIN ST., SUITE 201, P.O. BOX 1667
MADISON
WI
53701-1667
US
|
Assignee: |
Placon Corporation
Madison
WI
|
Family ID: |
38788844 |
Appl. No.: |
11/747791 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60809935 |
Jun 1, 2006 |
|
|
|
60803948 |
Jun 5, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/514 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3294
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/514 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/62 20060101
B65D085/62 |
Claims
1. A container assembly comprising: a secondary cup having an
edible material therein; a primary container having a bottom wall
with an upwardly extending side wall, the bottom wall and the side
wall defining a main compartment, the side wall extending upwardly
from the bottom wall to terminate at an upper rim which extends in
a first plane; and a secondary cup cavity which projects outwardly
from the primary container 10 main compartment and which
communicates with the main compartment, the secondary cup cavity
having a lower wall which extends outwardly from the primary
container side wall, and a secondary cup cavity side wall which
extends upwardly from the secondary cup cavity lower wall, and
which adjoins the primary container side wall, the secondary cup
being positioned within the secondary cup cavity and supported on
the secondary cup cavity lower wall within the secondary cup cavity
side wall.
2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising: portions of the
bottom wall which define a protruding toe; and portions of the
primary container side wall which define a column which extends
upwardly from the bottom wall toe to the secondary cup cavity lower
wall.
3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the primary container is
thermoformed of thermoplastic material.
4. A primary container for receipt therein of a first food element
and a secondary cup containing a second food element, the primary
container comprising: a bottom wall; a main compartment side wall
which extends upwardly from the bottom wall and terminates at an
upper rim which extends in a first plane, the bottom wall and the
side wall defining a main compartment for receipt of the first food
element; and portions of the side wall which define a secondary cup
cavity which projects outwardly from the main compartment and which
communicates with the main compartment, the secondary cup cavity
having a lower wall which extends outwardly from the side wall, and
a secondary cup cavity side wall which extends upwardly from the
secondary cup cavity lower wall, and which adjoins the main
compartment side wall, the secondary cup cavity being configured to
receive the secondary cup and second food element therein and to
support the secondary cup on the secondary cup cavity lower wall
within the secondary cup cavity side wall.
5. The primary container of claim 4 further comprising: portions of
the bottom wall which define a protruding toe; and portions of the
primary container side wall which define a column which extends
upwardly from the bottom wall toe to the secondary cup cavity lower
wall.
6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the primary container is
thermoformed of thermoplastic material.
7. A container assembly comprising: a secondary cup having an
edible material therein; a primary container having a bottom wall
with an upwardly extending side wall, the bottom wall and the side
wall defining a main compartment, the side wall extending upwardly
from the bottom wall to terminate at an upper rim which extends in
a first plane; and portions of the primary container side wall
which define a secondary cup cavity which projects outwardly from
the primary container main compartment and which communicates with
the main compartment, the secondary cup cavity having a lower wall
which extends outwardly from the primary container side wall, and a
secondary cup cavity side wall which extends upwardly from the
secondary cup cavity lower wall, and which adjoins the primary
container side wall, the secondary cup being positioned within the
secondary cup cavity and supported on the secondary cup cavity
lower wall within the secondary cup cavity side wall, wherein the
primary container bottom wall has portions which extend in a second
plane which is below the first plane, wherein the center of gravity
of the primary container with secondary cup and edible material
overlies the primary container bottom wall when the bottom wall is
supported on a horizontal surface.
8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the secondary cup cavity side
wall wraps around more than 180 degrees of the secondary cup to
restrict the displacement of the secondary cup from the secondary
cup cavity to the main compartment.
9. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the bottom wall has portions
which extend in a second plane which is not parallel to the first
plane defined by the upper rim, such that when the bottom wall
portions in the second plane are supported on a horizontal surface,
the secondary cup cavity is tipped toward a center of the primary
container.
10. The assembly of claim 7 further comprising: portions of the
bottom wall which define a protruding toe; and portions of the
primary container side wall which define a column which extends
upwardly from the bottom wall toe to the secondary cup cavity lower
wall, the column being inclined with respect to the bottom wall
away from a plane which is perpendicular to the bottom wall.
11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the column is defined by two
radiused transition walls extending on either side of a central
column wall, and wherein the lower wall of the secondary cup cavity
is generally circular, and has a three-sided relief where it joins
the column.
12. The assembly of claim 7 further comprising a flat lid which
overlies the primary container rim.
13. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the primary container rim has a
flat region which extends in a plane, and further comprising a film
seal which overlies said flat region.
14. A primary container for receipt therein of a first food element
and a secondary cup containing a second food element, the primary
container comprising: a bottom wall; a main compartment side wall
which extends upwardly from the bottom wall and terminates at an
upper rim which extends in a first plane, the bottom wall and the
side wall defining a main compartment for receipt of the first food
element; and portions of the side wall which define a secondary cup
cavity which projects outwardly from the main compartment and which
communicates with the main compartment, the secondary cup cavity
having a lower wall which extends outwardly from the side wall, and
a secondary cup cavity side wall which extends upwardly from the
secondary cup cavity lower wall, and which adjoins the main
compartment side wall, the secondary cup cavity being configured to
receive the secondary cup and second food element therein and to
support the secondary cup on the secondary cup cavity lower wall
within the secondary cup cavity side wall, wherein the bottom wall
has portions which extend in a second plane which is not parallel
to the first plane defined by the upper rim, such that when the
bottom wall portions in the second plane are supported on a
horizontal surface, the secondary cup cavity is tipped toward the
center of the primary container.
15. The primary container of claim 14 wherein the secondary cup
cavity side wall defines more than 180 degrees of a frustoconical
surface to wrap around a secondary cup when positioned within the
secondary cup cavity, and to restrict the displacement of said
secondary cup from the secondary cup cavity to the main
compartment.
16. The primary container of claim 14 fierier comprising: portions
of the bottom wall which define a protruding toe; and portions of
the main compartment side wall which define a column which extends
upwardly from the bottom wall toe to the secondary cup cavity lower
wall, the column being inclined with respect to the bottom wall
away from a plane which is perpendicular to the bottom wall.
17. The primary container of claim 16 wherein the column is defined
by two radiused transition walls extending on either side of a
central column wall, and wherein the lower wall of the secondary
cup cavity is generally circular, and has a three-sided relief
where it joins the column.
18. The primary container of claim 14 wherein the main compartment
side wall extends downwardly from the upper rim at a first draft
angle, the draft angle being substantially constant all around the
upper rim.
19. The primary container of claim 14 further comprising a flat lid
which overlies the primary container rim.
20. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the primary container rim has
a flat region which extends in a plane, and further comprising a
film seal which overlies said flat region.
21. A primary container for receipt therein of a first food element
and a secondary cup containing a second food element, the primary
container comprising: a bottom wall having a main region and a toe
which projects in a first direction from the main region; a main
compartment side wall which extends upwardly from the bottom wall
and terminates at an upper rim, the bottom wall and the side wall
defining a main compartment for receipt of the first food element;
portions of the side wall which define a secondary cup cavity which
projects outwardly in the first direction from the main compartment
and which communicates with the main compartment, the secondary cup
cavity having a lower wall which extends outwardly from the side
wall, and a secondary cup cavity side wall which extends upwardly
from the secondary cup cavity lower wall, and which adjoins the
main compartment side wall, the secondary cup cavity being
configured to receive the secondary cup and second food element
therein and to support the secondary cup on the secondary cup
cavity lower wall within the secondary cup cavity side wall; and
portions of the main compartment side wall which define a column
which extends upwardly from the bottom wall toe to the secondary
cup cavity lower wall, the column being inclined with respect to
the bottom wall in the first direction, the column being inclined
away from a plane which is perpendicular to the bottom wall.
22. The primary container of claim 21 wherein the main compartment
side wall defines a substantially frustoconical surface having a
center axis, and wherein, when the bottom wall is supported on a
horizontal surface, portions of the bottom wall foot extend in the
first direction away from the center axis to underlie the secondary
compartment lower wall.
23. The primary container of claim 21 wherein the secondary cup
cavity side wall defines more than 180 degrees of a frustoconical
surface to wrap around a secondary cup when positioned within the
secondary cup cavity, and to restrict the displacement of said
secondary cup from the secondary cup cavity to the main
compartment.
24. The primary container of claim 21 wherein the column is defined
by two radiused transition walls extending on either side of a
central column wall, and wherein the lower wall of the secondary
cup cavity is generally circular, and has a three-sided relief
where it joins the column.
25. The primary container of claim 21 wherein the main compartment
side wall extends downwardly from the upper rim at a first draft
angle, the draft angle being substantially constant all around the
upper rim.
26. The assembly of claim 21 fisher comprising a flat lid which
overlies the primary container rim.
27. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the primary container rim has
a flat region which extends in a plane, and further comprising a
film seal which overlies said flat region.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This applications claims benefit from U.S. provisional app.
No. 60/809,935, filed Jun. 1, 2006; and provisional app. No.
60/803,948; filed Jun. 5, 2006; the disclosures of which are
incorporated by reference herein.
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to portable containers in
general, and to containers for multiple food elements in
particular.
[0004] Drivers of automobiles at times find it convenient to
consume food or beverage while operating a vehicle. Time pressures,
length of commute, remoteness of location, or other factors make it
desirable to take refreshment in the automobile while driving.
Nevertheless, the demands of attentive driving call for the vehicle
operator to keep at least one hand on the steering wheel, and to be
ready to bring both hands to bear on short notice. Modem
automobiles cater to this need by providing convenient receptacles
for standard sized beverage containers. These cup holders are
positioned within arm's length of the driver, and will readily
accept beverage cans, drink bottles, and cups. Cup holders are
available in a variety of configurations and styles, including ones
that collapse within a dashboard, such as those shown in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,866,318, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference
herein.
[0005] In recent times packaged food manufacturers have expanded
offerings of non-liquid food products to drivers by providing these
products in containers conveniently sized for a vehicle cup-holder,
and having a dispensing mechanism suited to being operated with a
single hand. Snack chips and similar products, for example, have
been packed in stiff bottles with a wide mouth.
[0006] Some food products, however, are comprised of multiple
components which are best combined immediately before consumption,
i.e. components of different temperature, or crisp components and
liquid sauces or condiments. Although concentric containers have
been developed for such purposes as keeping milk and cereal
separate until introduced into the consumer's mouth, there remains
a need for a package adapted to the on-the-go consumption of food
products with multiple components which need to be kept
side-by-side until the time of eating. Moreover, such a container
should be amenable to both use on a table-like surface and for
support within a vehicle cupholder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A container assembly of this invention presents two food
elements in an arrangement which may be placed on a horizontal
support surface or supported in an automobile cup holder. A smaller
secondary cup, filled for example with a condiment, is received
within a secondary cup cavity formed in a thermoformed
thermoplastic primary container which has exterior dimensions
suited to a cup holder. The primary container has a bottom wall
with an upwardly extending side wall which defines a main
compartment which receives another food element, for example bread
sticks. The side wall extends upwardly from the bottom wall and is
terminated at an upper rim which to extends in a first plane. The
secondary cup cavity is molded into the primary container side wall
so as to project sidewardly from the main compartment in a
cantilevered fashion. The secondary cup cavity has a lower wall
which extends outwardly from the primary container side wall, and a
side wall which extends upwardly from the secondary cup cavity
lower wall, and which adjoins the primary container side wall. The
secondary cup is positioned within the secondary cup cavity and
supported on the secondary cup cavity lower wall within the
secondary cup cavity side wall. The primary container bottom wall
has portions which extend in a second plane which is below the
first plane and is tilted from the first plane such that the center
of gravity of the primary container with secondary cup and edible
material overlies the primary container bottom wall when the bottom
wall is supported on a horizontal surface. Portions of the main
compartment side wall define a column which extends upwardly from a
protruding bottom wall toe to the secondary cup cavity lower wall.
The column is inclined with respect to the bottom wall away from a
plane which is perpendicular to the bottom wall.
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
container for two consumable elements which keeps the elements
separate until time of consumption.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
container for two edible components which can be supported in an
automotive cup holder.
[0010] It is an additional object of the present invention to
provide a container which supports one food element in a main
compartment, and another in a cantilevered position, yet which
remains stable when supported on a horizontal surface.
[0011] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention
will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of the container
assembly of this invention.
[0013] PIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the primary container
of the assembly of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of the primary container of FIG. 4,
taken along line 3-3.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container assembly
of FIG. 1, loaded with a dip cup and representative food items.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the center of mass
of a loaded container of FIG. 1 compared to a container with
differently shaped bottom.
[0017] FIG. 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a loaded
container assembly of the invention having a film seal and
supported in an automobile cup holder, and with a flat lid.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-6, wherein like
numbers refer to similar parts, a container assembly 20 is shown in
FIG. 1. The container assembly 20 is suited to the packaging for
sale of two component foods comprised of a first food element 22,
for example baked bread sticks, and a second food element 24, for
example a liquid condiment or dip, as shown in FIG. 4. The
container assembly 20 is comprised of a primary container 26 which
receives a smaller secondary cup 28, and may be covered by a lid
30.
[0019] Both the primary container 26 and the lid 30 may be formed
of plastic in a conventional molding process, for example from
sheet material in a conventional thermoforming process, for
example, from polypropylene, or alternatively by injection molding.
As best shown in FIG. 4, the primary container 26 has a bottom wall
32 with portions extending in a first plane which corresponds to a
horizontal supporting surface 34, such as a table or counter. As
shown in FIG. 3, the bottom wall 32 is generally circular with a
protruding toe 36 which underlies a secondary cup cavity 38. The
primary container 26 has a side wall 40 which extends upwardly from
the bottom wall 32 and which terminates at a rolled rim 42. The rim
42 extends in a plane which is tilted from the plane of the bottom
wall 32, as best shown in FIG. 4. The tilt may be about 8 degrees,
but may be as much as 15 degrees, depending upon the particular
desired configuration of the primary container.
[0020] The bottom wall 32 and the side wall 40 define a main
compartment 44, generally frustoconical in shape, which is adapted
to contain the first food element 22. The side wall 40 is
dimensioned to be received in a conventional automobile cup holder.
The side wall 40 extends downwardly from the rim 42 about an axis
of revolution which is perpendicular to the plane of the rim 42. In
other words, the side wall has a constant draft with respect to the
plane of the rim, for example about 5 degrees. As a result, the
container assembly 20 may be received within the cup holder so the
rim will remain generally parallel to the cup holder. Although cup
holders have been designed to hold a variety of sizes of container,
they are generally shaped to adequately hold a conventional 12 oz.
aluminum beverage can which typically has a diameter of about 2
11/16 inches.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, portions of the primary container
side wall 40 protrude outwardly towards the secondary cup cavity 38
to define a column 46 which extends between the bottom wall toe 36
and the lower wall 48 of the secondary cup cavity. The column 46 is
defined by two radiused transition walls 50 on either side of a
front wall portion 51. The column 46 is inclined with respect to
the bottom wall 32 towards the center of the main compartment, or,
put another way, the column is inclined away from a plane which is
perpendicular to the bottom wall. The primary container side wall
40 defines a substantially frustoconical surface having a center
axis. When the bottom wall 32 is supported on a horizontal surface,
portions of the bottom wall toe 36 extend away from the center axis
to underlie the secondary cup cavity lower wall 48.
[0022] The secondary cup cavity 38 is configured to receive the
secondary cup 28, which may be a conventionally sized dip or
condiment container. Generally the secondary cup 28 will be an
axisymmetric generally frustoconical plastic molding with a side
wall 52 which extends upwardly from a bottom wall 53 and terminates
in an upper rim 54. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower wall 48 of the
secondary cup cavity 38 is generally circular, but has a
three-sided relief 56 where it joins the column 46. The secondary
cup 28 and its contents are supported on the lower wall 48. The
lower wall 48 of the secondary cup cavity 38 is preferably formed
parallel to the rim 42 of the primary container 26. It will thus be
inclined with respect to the bottom wall 32 of the primary
container 26.
[0023] The secondary cup cavity 38 has a side wall 58 which extends
from the primary container side wall 40 and which extends upwardly
from the secondary cup cavity lower wall 48. The secondary cup
cavity side wall 58 is generally frustoconical and of a similar
diameter to the side wall 52 of the secondary cup 28, such that the
secondary cup is received securely within the secondary cup cavity.
To prevent the escape of the secondary cup 28 from the secondary
cup cavity into the adjoining main compartment 44 with which it
communicates, the secondary cup cavity side wall 58 wraps more than
180 degrees around the secondary cup, preferably at least 210
degrees, and in the illustrated example, about 240 degrees. The
secondary cup 28 is thus restricted from entering the main
compartment 44 by two projecting corners 60 where the primary
container 26 side wall 40 adjoins the secondary cup cavity 38 side
wall 52 above the secondary cup cavity lower wall 48.
[0024] As the secondary cup cavity 38 is cantilevered off to one
side of the primary container 26, the main compartment 44 is
unobstructed, and offers ample capacity for receiving the first
food element 22. Moreover, because the secondary cup cavity 38 only
extends sidewardly from the primary container 26 at an upper region
of the container, adjacent the rim 42, it does not unduly extend
the effective diameter of that portion of the container (that is
the lower portion), which is received within the cup holder. For
example, about the lower two inches of the primary container may be
received within the cup holder. However, it will be readily
observed that this unsymmetric cantilevered secondary cup cavity,
when loaded with the secondary cup and its contents, will tend to
cause the center of gravity of the entire assembly to move away
from the vertical axis of the primary container.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 5, in broken line outline 62, if the bottom
wall of the primary container were formed in a plane which was
parallel to the rim, so that the axis of the primary container
extended simply vertically, the center of gravity 64 of the primary
container and the loaded secondary cup would be outside the bottom
wall of the primary container. The weight of the first food element
loaded in the primary container main compartment may be adequate to
counterbalance the off-center secondary cup, but when some or all
of the first food clement is removed, the primary container and
secondary cup may no longer be supported on the bottom wall, and
the cup would tip over. However, because the bottom wall of the
primary container is tilted with respect to the axis of the primary
container, the toe of the bottom wall extends beneath the center of
gravity of the loaded secondary cup and the primary container,
giving the entire assembly 20 a desirable stability when supported
on a horizontal support surface.
[0026] The lid 30 has two levels to accommodate tall product within
the main compartment, while restricting the vertical escape of the
secondary cup from the secondary cup cavity. The lid 30 has a dome
66 with a top wall, and a downwardly extending side wall 67. A
lower level wall 68 extends outwardly from the lid dome side wall
67 to encircle the dome as a narrow flange and to overlie the
secondary cup cavity. A skirt 70 extends downwardly from the lower
level wall 68, and a lower flange 72 extends outwardly from the
skirt 70. A plurality of detents 74, shown in FIG. 1, extend
inwardly from the lid skirt 70, and engage beneath the primary
container rim 42 to removably secure the lid to the primary
container.
[0027] To aid in ejecting the primary container from its
thermoforming mold, the primary container 26 is preferably formed
with an ejection platform 76 which is parallel to the plane of the
primary container nm.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, the primary container 26 may be film
sealed for preserving the freshness of the contents, for providing
tamper evidence, or for use without a lid. The film seal 78 is
applied in a conventional fashion to a flat region 80 which extends
in a plane at the top of the primary container. The secondary cup
28 with its contents 24 may also be sealed with a film 92. The
primary container 26 is shown supported in an automobile cup holder
86 in FIG. 6. Although the domed lid shown in FIG. 4 allows the
primary container to hold a food element which is taller than the
side wall, when used with food elements 122 which do not protrude
above the level of the rim, a simple flat lid 84 may be
employed.
[0029] For most food elements 22, 24, it is desirable to allow the
potential customer to see within the container assembly 20 before
purchase. Therefore the primary container and lid are preferably
formed from transparent plastic. However, when a warm moist food
element, such as a warmed bakery product is placed within the
container, there is a possibility for vapor condensation on the
primary container or lid. This fogging can obstruct the potential
customer's view of the container assembly's contents. One way to
avoid fogging is to enclose the food element in a cellophane bag
which retains any vapor. Another approach is to form a rib along
the lid which allows a free exchange of the container's interior
air with the outside environment. Such a rib may be formed, for
example, in the lower level wall 68 of the lid, the rib extending
from the skirt 70 across the lower level wall 68. Alternatively,
the lid 30 may be formed so as not to form a tight seal with the
primary container 26, such as by making the perimeters of the
primary container rim 42 and the lid skirt 70 different, thereby
allowing ventilation of the main compartment 44 between the lid and
the primary container. In another alternative approach,
conventional antifog additives or coatings may be used with the lid
and primary container.
[0030] In addition to being used with bread sticks and dip, as
illustrated, the container assembly may be used with a wide variety
of food elements, for example with vegetables or fruit and a dip;
ice cream and a topping; etc. Thus it will be seen that the
products to be contained are varied, and, based on product need,
the material from which the primary container is formed could be
adjusted to be suitable for temperatures ranging from freezer
applications to oven temperatures, from direct fill to retail
display with a limited shelf life. Besides polypropylene, then, the
primary container and lid may be formed of polyethylene
terephthalate (PET); high-heat styrenic copolymers such as Nova
Chemicals DYLARK.RTM. resins; Styrene Maleic Anhydride (SMA) resin,
or other appropriate moldable plastic materials.
[0031] It is understood that the invention is not limited to the
particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated
and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come
within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *