U.S. patent application number 12/605489 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-13 for food container system.
Invention is credited to Suzanne Fields.
Application Number | 20110006069 12/605489 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43426722 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110006069 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fields; Suzanne |
January 13, 2011 |
FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
Abstract
A container is system is disclosed that includes multiple
containers and a lid adapted to permit an interior container to
hang from a master container. The interior container contains a
fluid food substance and the master container includes a solid food
substance.
Inventors: |
Fields; Suzanne; (Great
Falls, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
General Counsel, P.C.
6862 Elm Street, SUITE 800
McLean
VA
22101
US
|
Family ID: |
43426722 |
Appl. No.: |
12/605489 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61223740 |
Jul 8, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/575 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 47/02 20130101;
B65D 81/3216 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/575 |
International
Class: |
A47G 23/00 20060101
A47G023/00 |
Claims
1. A container system for preserving food products, said system
comprising: a master container with a self-supporting sidewall that
forms a master aperture and an upper rib, proximate to and spanning
said master aperture, protruding from said sidewall; an interior
container having an interior container sidewall dimensioned to fit
within said master aperture and forming an interior container
cavity, a substantially-planar, self-supporting upper rim
protruding therefrom adapted to rest upon said rib such that said
cavity is wholly submerged within said master container sidewall,
and a removable seal covering said cavity; and a lid having a
resilient lower lip, dimensioned to form an interference fit with
said upper rib, protruding downwardly a distance sufficient to form
a minimum clearance fit between said rim and said lid.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said interior container sidewall
forms a minimum clearance fit with said master container
sidewall.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said interior container further
comprises an adhesive seal covering said cavity.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein said adhesive seal includes a
compressible protruding tab.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said master container includes a
food item.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein said interior container includes a
fluid food item.
7. A container system for preserving food products, said system
comprising: a master container with a bottom that supports a
brittle food item and a sidewall that forms a master aperture and
an upper rib, proximate to and spanning said master aperture,
protruding from said sidewall; a interior container having an
interior container bottom and an interior container sidewall
dimensioned to fit within said master aperture and forming an
interior container cavity with a fluid food item, a substantially
planar upper rim protruding therefrom, and a removable seal
covering said cavity; and a lid having a resilient lower lip,
dimensioned to form an interference fit with said upper rib,
protruding downwardly a distance sufficient to form a minimum
clearance fit between said rim and said lid.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein said bottom of said interior
container and said brittle food item form a minimum clearance fit
within said master container.
9. The system of claim 7 wherein said interior container sidewall
forms a minimum clearance fit with said master container
sidewall.
10. The system of claim 7 wherein said interior container further
comprises an adhesive seal covering said cavity.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein said adhesive seal includes a
compressible protruding tab.
12. The system of claim 7 wherein said master container includes a
food item.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein said interior container includes
a fluid food item.
14. A method for supplying a fluid food item within a solid food
item container, said method comprising: determining the perimeter
attributes of an aperture of a master container and an upper rib,
proximate to and spanning said master aperture, of said master
container, said master container with a sidewall and a bottom that
supports a brittle food item. placing upon said master container
rib a substantially planar rim of an interior container having an
interior container sidewall dimensioned to fit within said master
aperture and forming an interior container cavity, wherein said
cavity is wholly submerged within said master container sidewall;
and sealingly fitting a lid upon said rib, said lid having a
resilient lower lip protruding downwardly a distance sufficient to
form a minimum clearance fit between said rim and said lid.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising placing a brittle
food item between said bottom and interior container to form a
minimum clearance fit.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/223,740, filed Jul. 8, 2009,
entitled Food Product Container System, the entire disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of food storage
and more specifically to the field of receptacles comprising sealed
fluid containers and edible products.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Current snack packaging containers that provide a food
compartment and distinct dip/condiment compartment lack the ability
to detach the dip/condiment compartment from the main structure.
The separate compartment that hold fluids apart from solid food
components are unable to maximize the use of available internal
space within the packaging material. Furthermore, present
containers do not permit a consumer to effectively reseal the
opened food product and simultaneous reseal from the food
compartment and dip/condiment compartment.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention is directed to a container system and
method for supplying a solid food item and fluid food item within a
master container. The present invention is ideal for selling food
items with separately packaged condiments as a single unit.
[0005] The container system for preserving food products includes a
master container, an interior container, and a lid. The master
container includes a sidewall that is self-supporting. The sidewall
forms a master aperture in the upper portions thereof. Surrounding
the master aperture is an upper rib.
[0006] The interior container includes a sidewall dimensioned to
fit within said master aperture and that forms a central cavity.
The interior container includes a rim positioned on the interior
container sidewall such that none of the cavity extends above the
rim. A removable seal covers the central cavity.
[0007] The lid includes a resilient lower lip that protrudes
downward. The lip is resilient and includes dimensions suitable to
form an interference fit with the master container rib.
Furthermore, the height dimensions of the lip are constructed to
form a minimum clearance fit between the interior container rim and
the lid.
[0008] The method of the present invention relates to supplying
solid food items with prepackaged fluid food items. Perimeter
attributes of a master container rib and master container aperture
are determined. Upon the master container rib a substantially
planar rim of an interior container is placed. A lid is sealingly
fitted upon the rib.
[0009] These aspects of the invention are not meant to be
exclusive. Furthermore, some features may apply to certain versions
of the invention, but not others. Other features, aspects, and
advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with
the following description, and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container system.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container system
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of interior container.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container system.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a view of the method of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a basic embodiment of the
container system 100 is shown. The master container 102 operates to
receive and contain solid food items (not shown), e.g. chips,
vegetables, fruit, etc. The master container 102 a master aperture
118 formed by the sidewall 114 of the master container 102. Beneath
the sidewall 114 is the master container bottom 116. The master
container sidewall 114 includes a ribbing 112 that extends about
the periphery of the maser container sidewall 114 near the master
container aperture 118. The preferred ribbing 112 includes a single
ridge arranged at the uppermost point of the master container
sidewall 114; although, any protrusion or attachment structure
fulfilling the objectives of the present invention will
suffice.
[0016] With further reference to FIG. 3, dimensioned to fit within
the master container 102 is an interior container 104. The interior
container 104 includes an interior container sidewall 120 with
diameter less than that of the master container sidewall diameter
114. The interior container sidewall 120 supports a rim 110 that
juts from the interior container sidewall 120. The rim 110 extends
from the sidewall 120 at least to the extent necessary to support
the interior container upon the master container 102, preferably
upon the upper rib 112. The rim 110 should be constructed of
material, preferably a plastic, capable of supporting the weight of
the interior container 104 and the material within the cavity (not
shown) of the interior container. The interior cavity is covered by
a seal 122, preferably a sealed affixed by a removable adhesive.
The seal may further include a tabbed outcropping 124 that permits
a user to remove the seal 122.
[0017] When positioned upon the master container sidewall 114, the
interior container hangs thereon. It is further preferred that the
interior container 104 include a sidewall 120 having at least a
portion thereof includes a diameter that forms a minimum clearance
fit with the master container sidewall 114. Such close fitting
prevents lateral motion of the interior container 104 within the
master container 102. The interior container preferably includes a
liquid food item, e.g. condiments, juice, soda, sauce, and the
like. A liquid food item includes any food or beverage with fluid
attributes, including loose granular spices, e.g. sugar or
salt.
[0018] A lid 106 is positionable about the ribbing 112 of the
master container sidewall 114, preferably in an interference fit.
An interference fit when used in the present disclosure refers to a
fit in which a first component fits within an entrance of a second
component and the entrance of the second component includes a
diameter smaller than that of the diameter of the first component
and pressure from the first component deforms the second component
to accept the first component in a sealed fashion. A minimum
clearance fit is a fit in which a first component only just fits
into the entrance of a second component without modification of the
structure of either the first or second component. The interior of
the lid 106 includes a substantially planar surface that matches
the preferred upper substantially planar surface dimensions of the
interior container.
[0019] Turning now to FIG. 4, the preferred cooperation between the
lid 106, master container 102, and interior container 104 is
illustrated. The interior container 104 includes a substantially
planar upper surface that preferably forms a fit with the
substantially planar lower surface of the lid 106 that prevents
substantial longitudinal motion of the interior container. The
cavity 126 preferably hangs in its entirety below the rim 110 of
the interior container 104. It is preferred that at least a minimum
clearance fit is formed between the upper portions of the interior
container 104 and the lower portions of the lid 106. The lid 106
includes a lip 108 that hangs downwardly from the lid 106. The lip
forms an interference fit with the ribbing 112 of the master
container sidewall 114, and preferably includes dimensions that, in
the absence of a minimum clearance fit, and sufficient to prevent
substantial lateral motion of the interior container 104.
Substantial lateral motion is motion sufficient to release portions
of the rim 110 from portions of the master container sidewall 114.
It is preferred that any solid food 900, positioned within the
master container 102 include a height sufficient to have a
proximity to the interior container that prevents substantial
longitudinal motion of the solid food 900 within the master
container 102. In other words, the interior container 104 may act
as a ceiling of the master container 102. Substantial longitudinal
motion in relation to the solid food is motion capable of
disfiguring at least 25% of the food contents within the master
container. Substantial motion of solid food contents will vary by
solid food, e.g. chips may toleration less longitudinal motion than
apple slices.
[0020] Although the present invention has been described in
considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions
thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the
appended claims should not be limited to the description of the
preferred versions contained herein.
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