U.S. patent application number 14/560656 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-21 for food container with cup recess.
The applicant listed for this patent is Eco-Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to GABRIEL COLLINS, WENDELL SIMONSON, LUKE VERNON.
Application Number | 20150136794 14/560656 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49945686 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150136794 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VERNON; LUKE ; et
al. |
May 21, 2015 |
Food Container with Cup Recess
Abstract
A food container includes a base and a lid, and the lid may have
a recess configured to receive a second container. The base may
comprise a formed cavity that provides a bowl into which food or
other items may be placed. The recess in the lid may receive a cup
containing another item, such as a condiment or topping. The cup
with the condiment or topping may be inserted into the recess, and
removed from the recess, without removing the lid from the base.
The lid and/or the base may be formed from any suitable materials,
such as a transparent or non-transparent plastic material, and/or a
compostable material.
Inventors: |
VERNON; LUKE; (BOULDER,
CO) ; SIMONSON; WENDELL; (Boulder, CO) ;
COLLINS; GABRIEL; (Golden, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Eco-Products, Inc. |
Boulder |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49945686 |
Appl. No.: |
14/560656 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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|
13669748 |
Nov 6, 2012 |
8985382 |
|
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14560656 |
|
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|
61672627 |
Jul 17, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/574.1 ;
220/212; 220/575 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 21/02 20130101;
B65D 81/3216 20130101; A47G 19/06 20130101; B65D 51/28 20130101;
B65D 77/245 20130101; Y02W 90/14 20150501; B65D 43/0214 20130101;
B65D 25/04 20130101; Y02W 90/10 20150501 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/574.1 ;
220/575; 220/212 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/06 20060101
A47G019/06; B65D 43/02 20060101 B65D043/02; B65D 25/04 20060101
B65D025/04; B65D 21/02 20060101 B65D021/02 |
Claims
1. A food container, comprising: a base; and a lid configured to be
joined with the base, and comprising a recess configured to receive
a second container that is accessible while the lid is joined with
the base.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the recess is configured to
receive a cup containing a condiment or topping.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a
second recess configured to receive a third container.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein the first and second recesses
are different sizes and configured to receive different sized
second and third containers.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a formed
cavity having one or more dividing partitions.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a
second recess configured to receive one or more items of
cutlery.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises at
least one upward projection configured to engage with a
complimentary recess of the second container.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises at
least one upward projection configured to engage with an aperture
of an item of cutlery.
9. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid is coupled the base
through a foldable connection.
10. The container of claim 1, wherein the base is formed from a
compostable material.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the compostable material
comprises pulped organic material.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein the pulped material is
selected from one or more of: bagasse material, recycled corrugate,
shredded straw, or shredded bamboo.
13. The container of claim 1, wherein one or more of the base and
lid are formed from a plastic material.
14. The container of claim 1, further comprising a closure
mechanism coupled with the base that engages with the lid to secure
the lid to the base.
15. The container of claim 13, wherein the closure mechanism
comprises a utensil engagement portion that secures a utensil to
the container.
16. A lid for a food container, comprising: a top surface; at least
one recess in the top surface configured to receive a second
container that is accessible while the lid is joined with a base;
and at least one upward projection that projects from the top
surface and is configured to engage with an aperture of an item of
cutlery.
17. The lid of claim 16, wherein the recess is configured to
receive a cup containing a condiment or topping.
18. The lid of claim 16, wherein the lid comprises first and second
recesses configured to receive the second container and a third
container.
19. The lid of claim 18, wherein the first and second recesses are
different sizes and configured to different sized second and third
containers.
20. The lid of claim 16, wherein the at least one upward projection
comprises a first upward projection configured to engage with the
aperture of the item of cutlery, and a second upward projection
configured to engage with a complimentary recess of the second
container.
21. The lid of claim 20, wherein the second upward projection and
complementary recess engage and provide a frictional engagement to
secure the second container to the lid.
22. The lid of claim 20, wherein the second container is a souffle
cup.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/669,748, filed Nov. 6, 2012, entitled, "Food Container with
Cup Recess," which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/672,627, filed on Jul. 17, 2012, entitled
"FOOD CONTAINER WITH CUP RECESS," each of which are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to food containers in general
and, in particular, to food containers capable of receiving
separate containers with related items.
[0003] Food containers are often used for transporting and/or
storing food for consumption from a food serving establishment to a
location that the food will be consumed, stored, or used in further
food preparation. For example, a consumer may order a meal from a
restaurant or other food serving establishment, which is provided
in a food container. In some instances, a food serving
establishment may have some types of foods prepared and located in
food containers that a consumer may select for either immediate
consumption, or transport to another location for consumption.
[0004] Many types of foods are provided with condiments and/or
toppings that are selected and added to a main dish as desired by
the consumer. For example, a salad may be provided with salad
dressing. The type of condiment or topping to be used on a
particular main dish is often selected from a number of different
options, depending upon the consumer's taste. Continuing with the
salad example, a consumer may select from a number of different
salad dressings for the salad, the selection may depend upon the
consumer's particular tastes and/or available options for salad
dressings.
[0005] Additionally, many consumers want to reduce the amount of
resources that they are responsible for consuming, including both
renewable and non-renewable resources. Such reduction of resources
may allow for the reduction in an individuals `carbon footprint,`
allowing for a more sustainable community and world. Such reduction
of resources may be accomplished through a number of activities,
including through the increased recycling of materials and
increased use of compostable materials, such as described above.
Additionally, such consumers may desire to use products formed from
recycled materials and otherwise that allow the reduction of
consumed resources. For example, consumers may desire to use
products formed from what would otherwise be waste material.
SUMMARY
[0006] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a food
container comprising a base and a lid, the lid comprising a recess
configured to receive a second container. In some embodiments, the
base is comprised of a formed cavity that provides a bowl into
which food or other items may be placed. In some embodiments, the
recess is configured to receive a cup containing a food item that
accompanies a food located in the base, such as a condiment or
topping, for example. The cup with the condiment or topping may be
inserted into the recess, and removed from the recess, without
removing the lid from the base. The lid may be formed from a
transparent plastic material, and the base may be formed of a
compostable material, in some embodiments.
[0007] In other embodiments, the lid may comprise two or more
recesses that are configured to receive other containers. The two
or more recesses in such embodiments may be different sizes and
configured to receive different sized other containers. In some
embodiments, the lid may comprise two or more recesses, one or more
of which being configured to receive a second container and one or
more of which being configured to receive a cutlery item such as a
utensil. In some embodiments, a closure mechanism may be included
that may secure a container lid to a container, and also secure one
or more utensils to the container. Such a closure mechanism may
also cover a recess in the lid that is configured to receive a
second container. In still further embodiments, one or more inserts
may be placed in a container, with the insert(s) providing one or
more cavities into which food or other items, such as cutlery, may
be placed. In some embodiments, an insert may include a lip that
rests on a corresponding lip of a base, and a lid may be coupled
with the lip of the base and thereby secure the insert within the
base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the
present invention may be realized by reference to the following
drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features
may have the same reference label. Further, various components of
the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label
by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar
components. If only the first reference label is used in the
specification, the description is applicable to any one of the
similar components having the same first reference label
irrespective of the second reference label.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of a food container according to
various embodiments of the disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of a lid according to various
embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top view of a lid according to various
embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a base according to various
embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of a base according to various
embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a side view of another lid according to various
embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a top view of another lid according to various
embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a top view of another lid according to various
embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a top view of a lid having cutlery and container
recesses according to various embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a top view of another lid having cutlery and
container recesses according to various embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lid and an associated
closure mechanism according to various embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a base and associated
insert according to various embodiments.
[0021] FIG. 12B is a perspective view of a base and associated
insert located within the base according to various
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] This description provides examples, and is not intended to
limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention.
Rather, the ensuing description will provide those skilled in the
art with an enabling description for implementing embodiments of
the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and
arrangement of elements.
[0023] Thus, various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add
various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, it
should be appreciated that aspects and elements described with
respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other
embodiments.
[0024] Food containers of various embodiments described herein
provide containers having a base and a lid. The base, according to
some embodiments, comprises a formed cavity that may hold food
items. The lid, according to some embodiments, comprises a recess
or cavity that may receive a cup or other container. The cup or
other container may contain a condiment, sauce, dressing, or
topping, for example, for a food item contained in the base.
[0025] Such a cup or other container may hold, for example, salad
dressing for use on a salad that may be in located in the base.
Numerous different types of salad dressing are available and often
offered at food serving establishments, as is well known. Often,
salad dressing, and/or other toppings, are placed in a container or
pouch and made available to the consumer. Such a container for
salad dressing may be a small souffle cup, for example. Thus,
containers according to various embodiments may enable the
selection and transport of such dressing (and/or other topping) in
an efficient and convenient manner.
[0026] Using prior containers, the consumer would select a salad
dressing and carry the cup or pouch separately from the container,
which may cause difficulty if the consumer is carrying one or more
other items as well, such as a drink or other item. In some cases,
salad dressing and/or one or more toppings (e.g., olives or
croutons) may be placed inside the container, thus not requiring
that the consumer carry anything separately from the container.
However, in such situations the consumer is not able to select the
particular type of salad dressing or toppings, or has to open the
container to insert the cup or pouch with the dressing or topping.
Embodiments described herein thus provide for enhanced convenience
and efficiency relative to prior containers used for such
purposes.
[0027] With reference now to FIG. 1, a food container 100 according
to various embodiments is described. In the example of FIG. 1,
container 100 includes a lid 105 and a base 110. The base 110,
according to some embodiments, comprises a unitary formed recess
that may receive, for example, a food product. Base 110 is
illustrated as a bowl-shaped cavity, although other shapes may be
employed, such as a square cavity or cavity with two straight edges
and two rounded or radiused edges, to name but two examples. One
skilled in the art will readily recognize that numerous different
shapes may be employed based of desired characteristics of the
container 100 and the item(s) to be transported and/or stored in
the container 100. The lid 105, according to various embodiments,
may receive a cup 115 in a cavity or recess 120 that is formed in
the lid 105. While a separate lid 105 and base 110 are illustrated
here, concepts described herein are equally applicable to
containers that have a hinged or foldable connection between a lid
and base, or to containers having two or more flaps that are folded
over an opening in a base to close the container.
[0028] With reference now to FIG. 2, a lid 105-a according to some
embodiments is described in more detail. Lid 105-a may receive a
cup 115-a in cavity or recess 120-a. In the example of FIG. 2, the
cup 115-a is a souffle cup having a cup portion 205 and a cover 210
that may be secured to the cup portion 205. The recess 120-a is
sized and shaped to receive cup 115-a by simply dropping the cup
115-a into the recess 120-a. The recess 120-a may be deep enough to
allow the cup 115-a to sit in the recess 120-a with the top of the
cover 210 being at approximately the same height as the portions of
lid 105--that are adjacent to the recess 120-a. Lid 105-a also
includes a lip 215 and an upward projection 220 that extends around
a circumference of the top of the lid 105-a. In some embodiments,
lip 215 has a detent or other securement mechanism on an interior
portion thereof that may be coupled with a complementary portion of
base 110 to secure the lid 105-a to the base 110. In some
embodiments, the upward projection 220 may be sized and shaped to
fit with a corresponding groove or ledge in a base, in order to
provide more stable stacking of containers. Lid 105-a may be made
of any of a number of suitable materials, such as plastic, foam, or
a paper or pulp based material. In some embodiments, lid 105-a is
formed of a transparent plastic material to provide convenient
viewing of food items located in the container.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a top view of a lid 105-b according to some
embodiments. Lid 105-b may receive a cup 115-b in recess 120-b. In
this embodiment, the lid 105-b has a generally square configuration
with a generally circular recess 120-b that receives cup 115-b. The
recess 120-b, according to some embodiments, includes a channel 305
extending away from the cup 115-b that may be used to assist in
removing cup 115-b from the recess 120-b. In some embodiments, a
label 310 may be affixed to the lip 105-b, which may include
information about the contents of the container, for example. Lid
105-b may also include a tab 315 that may assist in the removal of
lid 105-b from an associated base.
[0030] With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a base 110-a according
to various embodiments is described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view
of a base 110-a, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of base
110-a. The base 110-a of FIGS. 4-5 has a generally square shaped
top opening that has a lip 405 extending therefrom that may engage
with a detent or other securement mechanism of lid 105. The base
110-a includes a formed cavity 410 having sloping sidewalls to form
a bowl, although other shapes may be used as will be readily
understood by one of skill in the art.
[0031] In some embodiments, the base 110-a may also include one or
more dividing partitions formed as part of the formed cavity. Such
dividing partitions may prevent food items from commingling when
placed in the container. Dividing partitions may extend from the
bottom of the base 110 to provide a partition between different
areas of the bottom of the base 110. In some embodiments, the
inside surfaces of base 110 may be coated with a laminate to help
prevent liquid from the contents of the container from penetrating
the material that is used to form the container. In other
embodiments, an insert may be placed in the container 100, and such
an insert may be sized and shaped to fit within the base 110-a, and
also may include dividing partitions. In such a manner, a
particular container 100 may be used with different inserts which
may have different, or no, dividing partitions based on the
particular use desired for the container 100. In some embodiments,
the insert may be formed of compostable or biodegradable material,
such as Polylactic acid (PLA) plastic, for example.
[0032] With reference now to FIG. 6, a lid 600 according to some
embodiments is described in more detail. Lid 600 according to this
example may have a cup 605 secured to a molded recess 610 that is
molded into the lid 600 and is configured similarly to a
traditional lid for cup 605. In the example of FIG. 6, the cup 605
is a souffle cup that may contain, for example, salad dressing or
some other topping/condiment. The molded recess 610 is sized and
shaped to receive cup 605 by simply inserting the cup into the
recess, thus holding the cup in place and keeping the material in
the cup 605 separated from other food within the container. Lid
600, similarly as the lid described above, also includes a lip 615
and an upward projection 620 that extends around a circumference of
the top of the lid 600. In some embodiments, lip 615 has a detent
or other securement mechanism on an interior portion thereof that
may be coupled with a complementary portion of a base to secure the
lid 600 to the base. In some embodiments, the upward projection 620
may be sized and shaped to fit with a corresponding groove or ledge
in a base, in order to provide more stable stacking of containers.
Lid 600 may be made of any of a number of suitable materials, such
as plastic, foam, or a paper or pulp based material. In some
embodiments, lid 600 is formed of a transparent plastic material to
provide convenient viewing of food items located in the
container.
[0033] As noted above, containers of the present disclosure may
have any of numerous shapes and configurations, depending upon the
anticipated use of the container. FIG. 7 illustrates one example of
a lid 700 for a circular container. In this embodiment, an outside
circular lip 705 may engage with a circular base, and secure lid
700 thereto. The lid 700 may receive cup 710 in recess 715,
similarly as described above. FIG. 8 illustrates a lid 800
according to various other embodiments, which includes multiple
cavities 805, 810, which may receive cups 815 and 820 in a similar
manner as described above. In such embodiments, multiple dressings
and/or toppings may be included in cups 815 and 820, such as a
salad dressing and a topping (e.g., croutons, cheese, olives, etc.)
for a salad, for example. Lid 800 may include a tab 825 and label
830, and may engage with a base similarly as described above. In
some embodiments, cavities 805, 810, may have different shapes
and/or sizes, depending upon the desired contents to be included in
one or more containers that are to be placed in the cavities 805,
810. For example, one recess may be circular and configured to
receive a cup, and another recess may be rectangular and configured
to receive a rectangular-shaped bowl or packet of dressing or other
accompaniment for the food carried in the container. For example,
if sushi is contained in the base of the container, a cup may
include soy sauce with the separate bowl having wasabi and ginger
in separate compartments thereof.
[0034] In such an embodiment, the lid may also include a recess for
chop sticks as well. In still further embodiments, the lid and base
may be connected to each other through a common edge or other
foldable connection, thereby having a "clamshell" type of
configuration.
[0035] FIG. 9 illustrates another lid 900 according to various
embodiments. In the example of FIG. 9, lid 900 includes multiple
cavities 905, 910, into which different items may be placed. In the
example of FIG. 9, recess 905 may receive a cup, similarly as
described above, and recess 910 may receive cutlery 920, such as a
fork and spoon as illustrated, although it will be understood that
other items of cutlery may be placed in such a recess 901. In some
embodiments, recess 910 is sized to receive a packet that may
contain, for example, cutlery, one or more napkins, and/or one or
more seasoning packets such as salt or pepper packets. Such a
recess 910 for cutlery 920 (and/or other items) may be used in
conjunction with any of the lids described herein, and may be deep
enough such that the cutlery does not extend above the plane of the
lid 900 that surrounds the recess 910, thereby allowing for
convenient stacking of containers and lids which have items in
cavities 905, 910. Lid 900 may include a tab 925, and may engage
with a base similarly as described above.
[0036] With reference now to FIG. 10, an exemplary lid 1000 of
other embodiments is illustrated. In the example of FIG. 10, the
lid 1000 has a top surface 1005 that includes one or more upward
projections 1010. These upward projections 1010, may engage with
one or more other items to secure the items to the lid 1000 with a
frictional engagement with a recess in the other item. In the
example of FIG. 10, a cup 1050 includes a recess 1020 that may
engage with an upward projection 1010. Similarly, a piece of
cutlery 1025 has an aperture 1030 that may fit over an upward
projection 1010 to secure the piece of cutlery 1025 to the lid
1000. While the lid 1000 is illustrated with upward projections
1010, in other embodiments lids may have recesses that may receive
outward projections of other items, and thereby secure the items to
the lid in a similar manner. For example, lid 1000 may have a
recess that is configured to receive an outwardly extending nub of
a piece of cutlery 1025. Additionally, the piece of cutlery 1025
may include an aperture that is configured to receive an outwardly
extending nub of another piece of cutlery, thereby allowing
multiple pieces of cutlery to be secured together and secured to a
lid, such as lid 1000. In still further embodiments, lids may have
combinations of upward projections and recesses that may be used to
secure various items with the lid. Additionally, in still further
embodiments, a base of the associated container may have a recess
or projection that is configured to engage with a projection or
recess of a lid, thereby allowing stacking of multiple containers
in a manner that the containers may be secured to each other to
provide for easier and more reliable transport.
[0037] With reference now to FIG. 11, a perspective view of a lid
and closure mechanism 1100 is described for various embodiments. In
the example of FIG. 11, lid 1105 may be secured to a base (not
shown) by a closure mechanism 1110. The closure mechanism 1110 may
engage with lid 1105 through a tab 1115. The tab 1115 (or other
portion of the closure mechanism 1110) may include projections that
engage with one or more cavities of the lid 1105 to provide a
frictional fit that secures the closure mechanism 1110 to the lid
1105, and thereby secure the lid 1105 to the base. In some
embodiments, the tab 1115 (or other portion of the closure
mechanism 1110) may include apertures, with corresponding portions
of the lid 1110 having projections that may engage with the
apertures to provide a frictional fit that secures the closure
mechanism 1110 to the lid 1105, and thereby secure the lid 1105 to
the base. In still further embodiments, a portion of the tab 1115
may be inserted into a slit in the lid 1105 to secure the closure
mechanism 1110 to the lid 1105, and thereby secure the lid 1105 to
the base. Of course, various other techniques may be used to secure
such a closure mechanism 1110 to the lid 1105, as will be readily
appreciated by one of skill in the art. The closure mechanism 1110
may be secured to the base in any appropriate manner, such as
through a frictional fit with projections and/or cavities of the
base that engage with apertures and/or projections of the closure
mechanism, adhesive or other bonding, or through being molded with
the base during manufacturing, to name but a few examples.
[0038] In the example of FIG. 11, the closure mechanism 1110 also
includes a utensil engagement portion 1120 that may be used to
secure a utensil 1125 to the container 1100. In some embodiments,
the lid 1105 may include a recess that can receive a second
container, such as a souffle cup, for example, with this recess
being covered by the tab 1115 of the closure mechanism 1110. In
such a manner, a second container may be secured with the lid 1105
and container. Lid 1105 may be made of any of a number of suitable
materials, such as plastic, foam, or a paper or pulp based
material. In some embodiments, lid 1105 is formed of a transparent
plastic material to provide convenient viewing of food items
located in the container. Similarly, the closure mechanism 1110 may
be made of any of a number of suitable materials, such as plastic,
foam, or a paper or pulp based material. The lid 1105 and/or
closure mechanism 1110 may be configured to engage with the bottom
portion of a base, in a similar manner as described above, to
provide for more secure and stable stacking of multiple
containers.
[0039] In some embodiments, the closure mechanism 1110 may be a
separate item from the base and lid 1105, thus providing
flexibility for an end user as to whether such a closure mechanism
1110 may be used in a particular situation. In some embodiments,
different closure mechanisms 1110 may be provided that may or may
not include a utensil engagement portion 1120 that may secure a
utensil to 1125 to the container when such a closure mechanism is
used. In still further embodiments, different utensils may be
secured to different closure mechanisms, and a user may select the
appropriate closure mechanism based on the particular food that is
in the container. For example, if a container is used to carry a
salad, a closure mechanism having a fork secured thereto may be
selected, and if a container is used to carry soup a closure
mechanism having a spoon secured thereto may be selected.
Furthermore, such a closure mechanism may be configured to work
with multiple different sizes and shapes of containers that may be
used at an establishment that provides food, for example.
[0040] With reference now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, a container system
1200 for other embodiments is described. The system 1200 of FIG. 12
includes a container base 1205 and an insert 1210 that may be
placed in the container. The insert 1210 may be placed in the base
1205, and is sized and shaped to fit within the base 1205. In the
example of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the insert 1210 is sized and shaped
to fit in a diagonal configuration within the base 1205, although
in other examples the insert 1210 may fit into base 1205 in a
different configuration. The insert 1210 may hold a topping,
dressing, or sauce, for example, for a food that is located in the
base 1205. A lid may be secured to the base 1205 to enclose the
base 1205 and insert 1210. In the example of FIG. 12, the insert
1210 includes a lip 1215 that extends around a periphery thereof,
and rests on a corresponding lip 1220 of the base 1205. In some
embodiments, a lid may be secured to the base 1205 that extends
around both lips 1215 and 1220 and acts to secure the insert 1210
within the base 1205. In other embodiments, the lip 1220 may
include one or more detents or troughs that engage with
corresponding features of the insert lip 1215 to help secure the
insert 1210 within the base 1205. Furthermore, in some embodiments,
the insert 1210 and/or base 1205 also may include dividing
partitions. In such a manner, a particular container 1200 may be
used with different inserts which may have different, or no,
dividing partitions based on the particular use desired for the
container 1200. The insert 1210, in some embodiments, may be
configured to hold one or more utensils. In such embodiments, one
or more utensils may be placed in the cavity formed in the insert
1210, or the insert 1210 may have two (or more) cavities, one of
which holds one or more utensils and one or more of which holds a
topping or dressing, for example. The insert 1210 may be formed
from any number of materials, such as described in more detail
below. In some embodiments, the insert 1210 may be formed of
compostable or biodegradable material, such as Polylactic acid
(PLA) plastic.
[0041] Containers such as described according to embodiments of the
present disclosure may be formed of various materials, which may be
selected based on the needs and anticipated use of the containers.
In some embodiments, a container base, such as base 110 or base
1205, may be formed from a compostable material, and the lid, such
as lid 105 or lid 1105, may be formed from a clear plastic
material. In other embodiments, both the base and lid may be formed
of plastic material or compostable materials. In embodiments that
include a closure mechanism and/or insert, the closure mechanism or
insert may be formed of any such material as well. Compostable
materials may include pulped compostable material, such as bagasse
material (sugarcane), recycled corrugate, shredded straw, or
shredded bamboo, to name but a few examples. Containers, or
selected portions of containers such as base, may be fabricated by
preparing a slurry of the pulped material, which is placed into a
screen having a shape that corresponds to the shape of the base. A
complimentary press may be pressed into the screen to press the
pulped material into the desired shape of the container, and may be
heated to remove a substantial amount of liquid from the slurry and
pulped material to thereby form the container. The container may be
removed from the screen, and trimmed as necessary to form the final
container shape. In some embodiments, the screen size is selected
to provide an exterior surface texture for the container that
provides an easily gripped container. The press may be formed with
a smooth surface to provide an inside surface of the container that
is smooth and thereby conducive to transport and storage of food
items. Of course, other configurations are possible. After the
container is fabricated, the inside and/or outside surface may be
treated with material to provide desired surface properties, such
as by providing a non-stick and liquid-resistant material to the
inside and/or outside surface.
[0042] It should be noted that the methods and devices discussed
above are intended merely to be examples. It must be stressed that
various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures
or components as appropriate. For instance, it should be
appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the methods may be
performed in an order different from that described, and that
various steps may be added, omitted or combined. Also, features
described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in
various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the
embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. Also, it should be
emphasized that technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements
are exemplary in nature and should not be interpreted to limit the
scope of the invention. While in many examples, the containers
described are recyclable, compostable, or made from renewable
resources, in some embodiments different or alternative materials
may be used.
[0043] Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized
by those of skill in the art that various modifications,
alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without
departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the above
elements may merely be a component of a larger system, wherein
other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the
application of the invention. Also, a number of steps may be
undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are
considered. Accordingly, the above description should not be taken
as limiting the scope of the invention.
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