Containers and Container Assemblies

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to containers for storing and shipping food and, more particularly, pertains to nesting containers and container assemblies. According to one embodiment, a container assembly includes an outer container and an inner container. The outer container includes an outer container wall extending upwardly from an outer container base. The outer container wall transitions into a ledge extending outwardly from the outer container wall. The inner container includes an inner container wall extending from an inner container base and transitioning into a support flange. When the container assembly is assembled, the support flange of the inner container rests upon the ledge of the outer container such that the inner container is removably nested within the outer container.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/063,891, filed on Feb. 7, 2008, for Nested Bowls.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to containers for storing and shipping food and, more particularly, pertains to nesting containers and container assemblies for maintaining separation of two or more products, such as dry food components and wet food components, during packaging, storage and shipment.

BACKGROUND

Food products are often packaged in packaging to be shipped and stored on a shelf or at a retailer. The food may be purchased by a consumer who unwraps or opens the package to consume and enjoy the food. Food items having a relatively high moisture content, such as chili or salsa, for example, may be provided within a container. Similarly, dry food items, such as crackers or chips, for example, may also be provided within a separate container. Providing food products, such as the chips and the salsa, in separate, individual packages requires more shelf space and packaging. Further, selling individually packaged food items may lead to a consumer buying one of the food items from a competitor, thus resulting in lost sales.

Accordingly, a need exists for alternative container assemblies for the storage of both wet and dry food items within a compact package.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a container assembly includes an outer container and an inner container. The outer container includes an outer container wall extending upwardly from an outer container base. The outer container wall transitions into a ledge extending outwardly from the outer container wall. The inner container includes an inner container wall extending upwardly from an inner container base and transitioning into a support flange. When the container assembly is assembled, the support flange of the inner container rests upon the ledge of the outer container such that the inner container is removably nested within the outer container.

According to another embodiment, a container assembly includes an outer container and an inner container. The outer container includes an outer container wall extending upwardly from an outer container base. The outer container wall transitions into a ledge extending outwardly from the outer container wall. The inner container includes an inner container wall extending upwardly from an inner container base and a circumferentially extending inner container neck extending upwardly from the inner container wall and terminating at a support flange. When the container assembly is assembled, the support flange of the inner container rests upon the ledge of the outer container such that the inner container is removably nested within the outer container.

According to another embodiment, a container assembly includes an outer container and an inner container. The outer container includes an outer container wall extending upwardly from an outer container base and transitioning into an outwardly extending ledge. The ledge transitions into a circumferentially extending outer container neck. The inner container includes an inner container wall extending from an inner container base and transitioning into a shoulder, a circumferentially extending inner container neck extending inwardly from the shoulder and transitioning into a support flange, and a seal coupled to the support flange. When the container assembly is assembled, the support flange rests upon the ledge of the outer container such that the inner container is removably nested within the neck of the outer container in an inverted position with respect to the outer container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the inventions defined by the claims. Moreover, the individual features of the drawings will be more fully apparent and understood in view of the detailed description. The following detailed description of specific embodiments can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary container assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an exemplary outer container according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a top view of an exemplary outer container according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary outer container according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1E is a perspective view of an exemplary inner container according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1F is a top view of an exemplary inner container according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1G. is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary inner container according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary container assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary container assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C is a side view of an exemplary outer container according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2D is a side view of an exemplary inner container according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1A, embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to containers and container assemblies and, more particularly, containers and assemblies to keep food components or products contained within separate during packaging, shipment and storage. Particular embodiments of the container assembly may generally comprise a plurality of containers. According to some embodiments, container assemblies may comprise a first container containing a first food component and a second container containing a second food component. The separated food components may be mixed together prior to consumption, if desired.

As will be discussed herein, the second container (i.e., the inner container) may be nested within the first container (i.e., the outer container). The first container may comprise a retaining surface or ledge that is configured to support a corresponding retaining surface or support flange located on the second container such that the second container is retained or nested within the first container. Although exemplary embodiments described herein may comprise two containers, it is contemplated that embodiments of the present disclosure may comprise more than two containers.

As used herein, food components may comprise wet and/or dry food items. Exemplary food component products may include, but are not limited to, chips with sauces, meat dips with chips, oatmeal with fruit toppings, potatoes with flavorings, yogurts with toppings, noodles with toppings, and meats with vegetables or other side dishes. Embodiments of the present disclosure may hold or contain any combination of food component products in which separate storage and/or packaging is desirable to enhance or maximize flavor, freshness or other qualities, and which then may be combined for consumption. Although embodiments may hold or contain food component products that are combined for consumption, it is contemplated that containers described herein may also hold food component products that need not necessarily be combined for consumption, or products that are not intended for consumption.

Referring now to the exemplary container assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1G, a first or outer container 20, which is illustrated as an exemplary cup or bowl, may have a generally frustum configuration with a generally flat circular shaped outer container base 24. An outer container wall 32 may extend upwardly from the perimeter of the base 24 of the outer container 20. As illustrated, the outer container wall 32 may taper inwardly from an upper portion of the outer container 20 to the base 24. According to some embodiments, the outer container 20 may further have a slightly concave center section 28 within the base 24 as viewed from the bottom. It is noted that the outer container 20 of some embodiments may not comprise a concave center section 28. It is also contemplated that the outer container 20 of some embodiments may not be of a generally frustum configuration and/or have a base 24 that is not circular (e.g., rectangular, elliptical). Generally, the outer container 20 may have a retaining structure or ledge 100 configured to retain an inner container 60 within the outer container 20 (described herein below).

More specifically, referring to the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1D, the outer container wall 32 may transition into a circumferential ledge 100. A circumferentially extending outer container neck 104 may extend from the ledge 100 and transition into an outer rim 112 that extends outwardly from the ledge 100. According to some embodiments, the outer container wall 32 may comprises a perimeter shelf 48. A portion 40 of the outer container wall may extend upwardly from the perimeter shelf 48 and transition into the ledge 100. According to other embodiments, the outer container wall 32 may not include a perimeter shelf 48.

A second or inner container 60, illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1E-1G, may also have a generally frustum configuration corresponding with the configuration of the outer container 20. The inner container 60 may have a generally flat circular shaped inner container base 64 having a slightly concave center section 68 as viewed from the bottom. It is noted that the inner container 60 of some embodiments may not comprise a concave center section 68. It is also contemplated that the inner container 60 of some embodiments may not be of a generally frustum configuration and/or have a base 64 that is not circular (e.g., rectangular, elliptical, etc).

An inner container wall 72 may extend upwardly from the perimeter of the inner container base 64 such that the inner container wall 72 tapers from an upper portion of the inner container 60 to the inner container base 64. Similar to the outer container 20, the inner container 60 may have a circumferentially extending inner container neck 80. The inner container wall 72 may transition into a shoulder 88. The shoulder 88 may extend outwardly from the inner container wall 72, and the inner container neck 80 may extend upwardly and transition into an outwardly extending support flange 120. The inner container neck 80 may extend inwardly toward the support flange 120 at an angle with respect to the outer container wall 32 such that friction between the inner container neck 80 and outer container wall 32 may be minimized during nesting and denesting. According to other embodiments, the inner container wall 72 may transition directly into the support flange 120 without inner container neck 80 and shoulder 88.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the support flange 120 of the inner container 60 is configured to correspond to the ledge 100 of the outer container 20 such that when the inner container 60 is placed in the outer container 20 (i.e., when the container assembly 10 is assembled), the support flange 120 rests upon the ledge 100. As illustrated by the exemplary container assembly 10 in FIG. 1A, the inner container 60 may be nested within the outer container 20 such that a first food component may be stored within the outer container 20 in an outer container product storage area 22 and a second food component may be stored within the inner container 60 in an inner container product storage area 26. As such, the two food components may be separated during packaging, shipment and storage. Additionally, dividers may be positioned within the storage areas 22 and 26 to create additional storage compartments therein. The consumer may then remove the inner container 60 from the outer container 20 and empty the contents of the inner container 60 into the outer container 20 or vice versa.

One or both containers 20 and 60 may be molded of suitable flexible plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene, or more rigid plastic materials. One or both containers 20 and 60 may be formed of heat resistant microwavable materials to enable the food components to be heated in a microwave oven.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D, another exemplary embodiment of the container assembly 200 generally comprises a plurality of containers. Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C an exemplary outer container 220 has a generally frustum configuration with a generally flat circular shaped outer container base 224 having a slightly concave center section 228 as viewed from the bottom. A circumferential outer container wall 232 may extend upwardly from the perimeter of the outer container base 224 such that the outer container wall 232 tapers from an upper portion to the base 224. According to some embodiments, the circumferential outer container wall 232 may transition into an outwardly extending ledge 248. A circumferentially extending outer container neck 240 may extend upwardly from the ledge 248. The outer container neck 240 may transition into an additional outwardly extending ledge 256 from which an additional circumferentially extending outer container neck 252 may extend. The additional outer container neck 252 may then transition into an outwardly extending circumferential outer rim 290. Although FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate an outer container 220 having two necks 240, 252, some embodiments may comprise only one circumferential neck and ledge (e.g., neck 240 and ledge 248 or neck 252 and ledge 256).

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2D, an inner container 260 may also have a generally frustum configuration with a generally flat circular shaped inner container base 264, having a slightly concave center section 268 as viewed from the bottom. A circumferential inner container wall 272 may extend from the perimeter of the inner container base 264 such that the inner container wall 272 tapers toward the base 264. The circumferential inner container wall 272 of the inner container 260 may transition into an outwardly extending ledge or shoulder 288. A circumferentially extending inner container neck 280 may extend from the shoulder 288 to an outwardly extending circumferential support flange 320. According to some embodiment, the inner container neck 280 may extend toward the support flange 320 at an angle such that the circumferential inner container neck 280 bends slightly inward with respect to the outer container neck 240 and/or outer container neck 252. A seal may be coupled to the support flange 320. According to other embodiments, the inner container wall 272 may transition directly into the support flange 320, thereby eliminating the inner container neck 280 and the shoulder 288.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the circumferential support flange 320 of the inner container 260 is configured to correspond with the circumferential ledge 248 of the outer container 220 such that when the inner container 260 is placed in the outer container 220 in an inverted position (i.e., when the container assembly 200 is assembled), the circumferential support flange 320 rests on the outwardly extending ledge 248. The circumferential support flange 320 may also be of a diameter such that it rests on the ledge or shelf 256 formed by the additional outer container neck 252. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the outer container 220 may be sealed with a heat seal 400, which may also comprise a pull tab 410 for removal of the seal 400 from the outer container 220.

As previously stated, the containers and their similar equivalents that have been described herein need not be cylindrical or of frustum configuration, but may be oval or polygonal in configuration. Moreover, it will be understood that the containers can range in size and depth so that when assembled, containers of different interior volume can be established. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the inner container is prevented from substantial lateral movement, however, it is generally free to move upward.

In addition, any number of containers can be utilized and contain any number of sealing members, including lids between or enclosing the containers. For example, the nested containers may be heat sealed such that the inner container is sealed to the outer container and then provided with a lid. In an alternative embodiment, the nested containers may be clip sealed and then lidded with a shrink band to provide tamper evidence and ameliorate food safety concerns. In yet another alternative embodiment, the nested containers may be individually sealed depending upon the nature of the food components, and then provided with a lid. According to some embodiments, the inner and outer containers may function as an eating vessel, thus facilitating portability for both the end user who consumes the food components and intermediaries who may package or ship the item, as well as flexibility in offering the food components, such as by vending machine. Pull tabs may also be included in the container assembly to aid in the removal of the inner container or containers from the assembly. Because the two containers (or in other embodiments, more than two containers) are nested, the overall assembly is compact and uses less shelf and storage space.

The foregoing description of the various embodiments and principles of the inventions has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Moreover, although many inventive aspects have been presented, such aspects need not be utilized in combination, and various combinations of inventive aspects are possible in light of the various embodiments provided above. Accordingly, the above description is intended to embrace all possible alternatives, modifications, combinations and variations that have been discussed or suggested herein, as well as others that fall within the principles, spirit, and broad scope of the various inventions as defined by the claims.

It is noted that recitations herein of a component of the present invention being “configured” to embody a particular property, or function in a particular manner, are structural recitations as opposed to recitations of intended use. More specifically, the references herein to the manner in which a component is “configured” denotes an existing physical condition of the component and, as such, is to be taken as a definite recitation of the structural characteristics of the component.

Having described the invention in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present invention are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present invention is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A container assembly comprising:

an outer container comprising an outer container wall extending upwardly from an outer container base, the outer container wall transitioning into a ledge extending outwardly from the outer container wall; and

an inner container comprising an inner container wall extending from an inner container base and transitioning into a support flange, wherein when the container assembly is assembled, the support flange of the inner container rests upon the ledge of the outer container such that the inner container is removably nested within the outer container.

2. The container assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer container further comprises a circumferentially extending neck extending from the ledge.

3. The container assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the inner container is nested within the circumferentially extending neck.

4. The container assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer container comprises an outer rim extending outwardly from the circumferentially extending neck.

5. A container assembly comprising:

an outer container comprising an outer container wall extending upwardly from an outer container base, the outer container wall transitioning into a ledge extending outwardly from the outer container wall; and

an inner container comprising an inner container wall extending upwardly from an inner container base, and a circumferentially extending inner container neck extending upwardly from the inner container wall and terminating at a support flange, wherein when the container assembly is assembled, the support flange of the inner container rests upon the ledge of the outer container such that the inner container is removably nested within the outer container.

6. The container assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the inner container neck extends inwardly with respect to the outer container wall when the container assembly is assembled.

7. The container assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the outer container further comprises an outer rim extending outwardly from the neck.

8. The container assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the inner container further comprises an inner container seal removably coupled to the support flange and the container assembly further comprises a lid removably coupled to the outer rim.

9. The container assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the outer container further comprises an outer container seal removably coupled to the outer rim and positioned under the lid.

10. The container assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the container assembly further comprises a pull tab coupled to the outer rim.

11. The container assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein:

the outer container wall further comprises a perimeter shelf;

the inner container neck further comprises a perimeter shoulder; and

the perimeter shoulder removably rests on the perimeter shelf of the outer container.

12. The container assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the outer container and inner container bases are circularly shaped, the outer container wall tapers from the perimeter shelf to the outer container base, and the inner container wall tapers from the perimeter shoulder to the outer container base.

13. The container assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein:

the inner container is removably nested within the outer container such that a product storage area is defined by the inner container base, the outer container base and the outer container wall; and

the product storage area maintains a first product and the inner container maintains a second product.

14. A container assembly comprising:

an outer container comprising an outer container wall extending upwardly from an outer container base and transitioning into an outwardly extending ledge, the ledge transitioning into a circumferentially extending outer container neck; and

an inner container comprising an inner container wall extending from an inner container base and transitioning into a shoulder, a circumferentially extending inner container neck extending inwardly from the shoulder and transitioning into a support flange, and a seal coupled to the support flange, wherein the support flange rests upon the ledge of the outer container such that the inner container is removably nested within the neck of the outer container in an inverted position with respect to the outer container.

15. The container assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the outer container and inner container bases are circularly shaped, the outer container wall tapers from the ledge to the outer container base, and the inner container wall tapers from the shoulder to the outer container base.

16. The container assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein:

the inner container is removably nested within the outer container such that a product storage area is defined by the seal of the inner container, the outer container base and the outer container wall; and

the product storage area maintains a first product and the inner container maintains a second product.

17. The container assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the outer container further comprises an outer rim extending outwardly from the outer container neck and the container assembly further comprises a lid coupled to the outer rim.

18. The container assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the outer container further comprises an additional circumferentially extending outer container neck extending outwardly from an additional ledge.

19. The container assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein the outer container neck transitions into the additional ledge.