Attachable food container

Abstract

A food container (14) that is mountable on a cup (12), includes a container bottom recess (30) that receives the top (22) of the cup. Walls of the recess form a groove (44) that extends around the container axis (26) and snaps onto a bead (24) at the top of the cup to hold the container securely to the cup. The groove (44) lies at the top of a lead-in wall (42) that extends at an inward and upward incline, so the lead-in wall is deflected by the cup bead until the bead snaps into the groove.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/660,468 filed on Feb. 16, 2010.

BACKGROUND

A person who buys food in a cup, such as coffee or a soft drink, may wish to purchase a second food that comes in a separate container such as donut holes or chicken pieces that can be eaten with the food in the cup. It can be awkward to carry both the cup and the container, and to eat the food in one or both of them. A container that facilitated the carrying of the cup and container and the eating of food out of one or both of them, would be of value.

SUMMARY

According to a number of embodiments, a container for use with a cup and a straw includes a side wall and a bottom wall defining a cavity. A perimetrical groove is formed between the side wall and the bottom wall and is configured to be engageable with the cup such that the cup is perimetrically sealable by the container. A straw projection extends upwardly into the cavity from the bottom wall and has an opening configured such that when the straw is received through the opening, the straw is extendible from the cup, upward through the projection, and out of the cavity.

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a container system with the cup and lid shown in phantom lines.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1 without the lid.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing the container mounted on the top of the cup of FIG. 1 with the cup shown in phantom line.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of area 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4A is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, but showing a cup bead in the groove.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the container of FIG. 1 and showing the lid of FIG. 1 in phantom lines.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a dual container of another embodiment of the invention, with the container shown in an open configuration and showing a portion of a cup in phantom lines.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the open dual container of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the dual container of FIG. 6 in a closed configuration.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the closed container of FIG. 8, with a portion of a cup and of a straw shown in phantom lines.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a container of another embodiment of the invention, wherein the container has a hinged lid, and wherein the straw-passing projection extends to and above the lid.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the container of FIG. 10, shown in a closed position and with a cup and straw shown in phantom lines.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of area 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an exploded isometric view of a container of another embodiment of the invention wherein the container is of square rectangular configuration, and also showing a cup in phantom lines.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the container of FIG. 13 in a closed position and mounted on a cup that is shown in phantom lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a food container system 10 of the present invention, which includes a cup 12 for holding food, especially liquid food such as coffee or soda, a container 14 for holding a second food such as donut holes or chicken pieces, and a lid 16 that can close the container. The cup 12 is a conventional cup of wax-coated cardboard of round cross-sections, which has side walls 20, and a cup top 22 with a bead 24. The bead 24 is commonly formed by rolling the cup top wall into a tight spiral of almost circular cross-section that is fixed in its spiral shape as by wax. The cup and container are centered on an axis 26 and the bead projects radially outward (with respect to axis 26), or “outward” from the top of the cup side walls. A person may want to purchase both the cup 12 and container 14 (with the lid) and eat the contents of the two of them together. For example, a person may want to purchase a cup of coffee in the cup 12 and donut holes in the container 14, or soda in the cup and chicken pieces in the container, and eat them together. Applicant constructs the container 14 so it can be easily mounted on the cup to facilitate carrying them and eating out of them.

FIG. 3 shows that the container has a bottom recess 30 which receives the top 22 of the cup. The container has sidewalls 32 and has a lower portion 34 with a bottom 36 that can rest stably on a horizontal surface such as a shelf 40 on which the container has been placed. Walls of the recess 30 include a lead-in wall 42 that leads to a groove 44, and a horizontal cavity bottom wall 46 whose lower surface faces the groove. The container walls form a container cavity 52 that can hold a second food 53, while a first food 56 lies in the cup. As shown in FIG. 2, the groove has ten groove segments at 42 and has ten interruptions at 42i, with each interruption subtending no more than 1/10^th of a circle. As shown in FIG. 3, the top of the cup 12 is received or disposed within the recess 30 when the groove is engaged with the cup 12.

To install the container 14 on the cup a person places the cup top 22 within the bottom recess 30 of the container, with the cup bead 24 lying under the lead-in wall 42. A person then presses down firmly on the container to cause the cup bead to deflect the lead-in wall in a radially outward direction O (away from the axis). Finally, the cup bead 24 snaps into the groove 44, which retains the container on the cup until the container is forcefully removed. There is an interference fit between the cup bead 24 and the walls of the groove 44 after the cup bead lies fully in the groove, which seals the top of the first container 12. The lead-in wall preferably has interruptions 42i (FIG. 2) to facilitate its deflection to pass the cup bead into the groove.

FIG. 4 shows that the groove 44 in the container has groove portions 44p around the axis that each opens in a direction 50 that is radially inward I (towards the axis) and downward D (by an angle of at least 10° to the horizontal). The facing direction 50 preferably extends at an inward and downward angle of 20° to 70° to the horizontal. The lead-in wall 42 has a top portion with a convex surface 54 that faces inwardly, with the convex surface merging with the groove 44. The convex surface 54 lies a distance G outward of the groove center line 62. It might appear that it is only necessary that the convex surface 54 lies below the outer side of the groove for the cup bead 24 to remain captivated in the groove 44.

As particularly shown in FIG. 4, the groove 44 or, more specifically, the walls of the groove 44 extend to include an inner end 60 that extends downward to lie radially inside the cup bead 24. This resists radially inward movement of the cup bead 24 that could result in the bead inadvertently moving out of the groove 44. The groove 44 preferably extends by an angle B of at least 180° about the groove centerline 62. Accordingly, when engaged as shown in FIG. 4A, the groove 44 extends about the bead 24 by more than 180° of the extent of the bead 24. The lead-in top convex surface 54 preferably extends radially inward of the groove outer side 64 by a distance C of at least 35% of the groove radius R.

The lead-in wall 42 extends at an inward and upward incline A from the vertical of about 25°, although an incline E of about 15° can enable easier deflection of the lead-in wall although with less tolerances allowed. Both the lead-in wall 42 and the groove 44 extend around the entire axis of the container so there are lead-in walls and groove portions on opposite sides of the axis, although they (especially the lead-in wall) may have interruptions. As shown in FIG. 3, the groove 44 extends continuously, that is, by 360° without interruption around the container axis 26. There are interruptions in the lead-in wall 42 but not in the groove 44. This avoids leakage of liquid out of the cup.

FIG. 3 shows that the container cavity bottom wall 46 has an upward projection 70 with a straw opening 72 in its top 73. FIG. 2 shows that the straw opening can comprise cross slits that are expanded by a straw. The projection reduces the possibility that a liquid in the cup 12 will spill into the container and wet a solid food in the container. The projection 70 preferably extends upward by a distance of at least ⅜ inch above the container bottom wall 46 for a container 12 whose bead has a diameter of about 3½ inches (2 to 5 inches). The height of the projection is between 10% to 60% of the width of the bottom of the container. The top of the projection 70 shown in FIG. 3 is below the top of the container 14.

FIG. 6-9 show a food container system 100 that includes a double container 102 that is mountable on a cup 12. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the double container includes a bottom container 104 and a top container 106 that are connected by a hinge 108. The figures show lidding films 110, 112 on the open ends 114, 116 of the containers. When the two containers are pivoted closed, the open ends are closed on each other. The containers can each contain food, as where the cup holds coffee, one container holds cream and the other container holds sugar. One of the containers may hold an eating utensil such as a spoon with a short handle. When applicant refers to “food” he is including a utensil useful in the eating of food. The containers have tabs 120, 122 that facilitate opening and that latch the containers closed.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the double container in a closed position. The bottom container 104 has an upward projection 124 with a straw opening 125 at the top wall 126, that is similar to that of FIG. 3, except that the projection 124 extends to the top of the bottom container. The upper container 106 has a depression 127 in its top that has a lower wall 128 that has a straw opening 129 and that lies facewise against the top wall 126 of the bottom container projection. As a result, a person can project a straw though the two horizontal walls 126, 128 to drink fluid in the cup, without opening the double container.

FIG. 10-12 show another food container system 130 that integrates different parts. The container system comprises a container 132 that has walls forming a cavity 134 and walls forming a bottom recess 136 similar to the recess of FIG. 3, for engaging a bead 24 at a cup top of a cup 12. The container includes a lid 140 that is joined to the container part by a hinge 142 formed in a plastic sheet that forms the container and lid. The container has a bottom wall 144 with an upward projection 146 that projects above the lid in the closed lid configuration shown in FIG. 11 and that has a straw opening 148. As a result, food in the cavity 134 is more isolated from liquid in the cup, since liquid from the straw is less likely to drip on food in the cavity 134 even when a wet straw is pulled out. Applicant prefers to form a deflection recess 150 in the lid that extends around the straw opening, which makes the inner edge 152 of the straw opening 154 more flexible to facilitate opening and closing the lid.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show another food container system 170 which is similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 10, except that the container 172 is of rectangular and especially square shape as viewed from above. A lid 174 is removable and re-attachable to the container. An upward projection 176 in the bottom wall of the container projects to above the lid and has a straw opening 178. The lid has a straw opening 180 in the form of a circle, and has a circular deflection recess 182 that extends around its straw opening.

Thus, the invention provides a food container system that includes a container that easily and securely mounts on the top of a common liquid cup in which coffee or soda is sold, wherein the cup has an outward projecting bead at its top. The container has a recess in its bottom that receives the top of the cup. The recess walls include walls forming a groove that receives the cup bead, and also includes a lead-in wall that extend at an upward and radially inward incline to the groove. The lead-in wall is deflected outward by a cup bead moving upward along the lead-in wall, until the bead snaps into the groove. The bottom wall of the container cavity can have an upward projection with a straw opening for the reception of a drinking straw. The projection can extend up to the top wall of the container, and the container can have a circular deflection recess around a circular hole that receives the top of the projection. The system can include a double container that includes top and bottom containers that can open and close on each other. The container can be of circular shape or of rectangular and especially square shape as seen from above.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art, and consequently, it is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.

Claims

1. A container for use with a cup and a straw, the container comprising:

a side wall and a bottom wall defining a cavity;

a perimetrical groove formed between the side wall and the bottom wall and being configured to be perimetrically engageable with the cup such that the cup is sealable continuously without interruption around the container; and

a straw projection extending upwardly into the cavity from the bottom wall and having an opening configured such that when the straw is received through the opening, the straw is extendible from the cup, upward through the projection, and out of the cavity.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the projection has a top that is disposed below the top of the side wall such that when the straw is received through the opening, the straw is extendible from the cup, upward through the projection, through an upper portion of the cavity, and out of a top of the cavity.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein the projection has a height that is between 10% to 60% of the width of the bottom wall.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein the groove is annular and extends continuously 360 degrees such that when the groove is engaged with the cup, the cup is circumferentially sealed by the container.

5. The container of claim 1 further comprising a bottom recess configured such that when the groove is engaged with the cup, the top of the cup is disposed in the recess.

6. The container of claim 5 further comprising a bottom disposed between the side wall and the recess and configured such that the container can rest stably on a surface.

7. The container of claim 5 further comprising a lead-in wall disposed such that when the container is being disposed on to the cup, a top of the cup deflects the lead-in wall radially outward.

8. The container of claim 7 wherein the top of the cup has a bead disposed on the top thereof and the groove is further configured such that the bead engages the lead-in wall as the container is urged on to the cup and the bead snaps into the groove.

9. The container of claim 7 wherein the groove is configured to be engageable with an outwardly radially annular portion of the bead.

10. The container of claim 1 further comprising a lid for engaging with a top of the side wall to close the cavity.

11. The container of claim 10 wherein the lid has a straw opening configured such that when the lid is engaged with the container, the straw is extendible from the cup, upward through the projection, through the cavity, and out of the opening in the lid.

12. A food container system comprising a cup and the container of claim 1.

13. The food container system of claim 12 further comprising a straw.

14. A method for utilizing the food container system of claim 12.

15. A method for manufacturing the container of claim 1.

16. A container for use with a cup and a straw, the container comprising:

a side wall and a bottom wall defining a cavity;

a perimetrical groove formed between the side wall and the bottom wall and being configured to be engageable with the cup such that the cup is sealable by the container; and

a straw projection having a top with an opening and extending upwardly into the cavity from the bottom wall to a point at which the top of the project is disposed below a top of the side wall;

the projection having a height that is 10% to 60% of a width of the bottom wall such that when the straw is received through the opening, the straw is extendible from the cup, upward through the projection, through an upper portion of the cavity, and out of a top of the cavity.

17. The container of claim 16 wherein the groove is annular and extends continuously 360 degrees without interruption around the container such that when the groove is engaged with the cup, the cup is circumferentially sealed by the container.

18. A container for use with a cup and a straw, the container comprising:

a side wall and a bottom wall defining a cavity;

a perimetrical annular groove: formed between the side wall and the bottom wall; extending continuously 360 degrees without interruption around the container; and configured to be engageable with the cup such that when the groove is engaged with the cup, the cup is circumferentially sealed by the container; and

a straw projection extending upwardly into the cavity from the bottom wall and having an opening configured such that when the straw is received through the opening, the straw is extendible from the cup, upward through the projection, and out of the cavity.

19. The container of claim 18 wherein the cup has a bead with which the groove is engageable, and the groove includes an inner end;

the groove being configured to extend more than 180° such that: the inner end extends downward to lie radially inside the bead; and groove extends about the bead by more than 180° of the extent of the bead;

whereby the groove inhibits the bead from accidentally popping out from the groove.

20. The container of claim 18 wherein the projection has a height that is configured such that a top of the projection is disposed below the top of the side wall such that when the straw is received through the opening, the straw is extendible from the cup, upward through the projection, through an upper portion of the cavity, and out of a top of the cavity.