Dual separable containers

[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/365,590, filed Feb. 11, 2003.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to dual containers for storing and shipping goods and more particularly relates to dual associated containers for dispensing goods from a primary container and complimentary goods from a secondary attached container.

[0004] 2. Background Information

[0005] The present invention relates to containers and particularly food containers for storing and marketing food items. These are containers for foods such as cheeses, shrimp, and other types of snack foods with complimentary foods such as sauces, chips, and condiments. Typically such food items are shipped in a sealed container for use with other food items such as a sauce or a special type of dip. For example, shrimp may be shipped in one container while the shrimp sauce which would have to be purchased separately in another container.

[0006] It is known in the art to use of containers having several compartments for storing different food items. For example there are a variety of compartmentalized devices for storing food in one section and a condiment or a beverage in another section. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,443 of Szczerbinski issued May 14, 2002 discloses in combination a food container and a condiment container. The food container however is not a seal-proof container but an open container that has a condiment dispenser attached to the side. Another patent with a compartmentalized section is a lunch box with a slidable divider disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,391,816 of Swett issued Jul. 9, 1968. This device is comprised of a container with outwardly bowed walls having a movable divider to adjust the size of adjacent sections. This device has a lid to seal the container after filling with food in the compartments.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,998 of Carlson issued Feb. 19, 1985 describes a food container with a removable lid and a divider to partition the container into a number of distinct zones. The container also includes a bottle adapted to be held in the container.

[0008] The U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,528 of Schluckebier issued Sep. 11, 1990 also describes a container having separate compartments for food and condiments. This is an open container generally used for French fries in one side and a condiment in an adjacent compartment. It is not a sealed container for storing food to be marketed.

[0009] Another patent that shows a compartmentalized food and beverage package is disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,376 of Privert issued Jul. 13, 1999. This patent discloses a container having a rectangular tray with internal and peripheral flanges defining recessed food receiving compartments. At least one of the compartments of the tray may contain a beverage. The beverage compartment is generally rectangular recess formed adjacent one of the side edges. The beverage compartment additionally has a recessed design so that the weight of the contained beverage permits the container to be stood upright upon the base.

[0010] The diversity of various types of foods available for snacking indicates that containers for these foods that can carry a snack as well as a condiment or a dip would be advantageous. The above patents indicate that manufacturers have responded with a wide variety of products to satisfy the demands for these snackfoods.

[0011] Another need is the availability of single-service packages which provide not only a snack but condiments or other products that go with it. For example, yogurt is typically sold with fruit mixed in the yogurt. It would be advantageous if the yogurt could be sold and the fruit could be separate for adding to the yogurt after the package is opened. This type of arrangement would require dual packaging that can be separated to allow the mixing of yogurt and fruit. Other types of snack foods could also be packaged with this type of container.

[0012] It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide dual attached containers that can be separated to provide goods in a primary container and complementary goods in a secondary container attached and separable from the primary container.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide dual attached containers for storing and distributing food items in a primary container and complimentary food items such as a sauce, condiment or dip in a secondary container separably attached to the primary container.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a dual containers in which one container nests in the other with both being sealed by a single cover or a cap.

[0015] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a nested dual containers for containing goods such as a food item in a primary container and goods such as a condiment or complementary food item in the second separable container.

[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide dual separable containers in which a food item is contained in a primary container cup or bowl and a secondary container comprised of a receptacle on the inside surface of a cover that seals the container having a complementary food item.

[0017] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dual container for containing a food item in a primary container and a complementary food in a secondary container on a lid that mounts on the primary container.

[0018] Still another object of the present invention is to provide dual separable containers having a primary cup or bowl containing a food item and a lid having a compartment forming a secondary container for containing a complementary food item that sits on top of and is fastened to the main container.

[0019] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a dual separable containers for storing and marketing goods such as food items that are complementary. The containers have a variety of configurations providing a main or primary container or bowl for storing a food item and a secondary container attached and integral with the first that can contain a complementary food item. The dual containers can be separated for use.

[0020] A first embodiment of the invention is the provision of dual nested containers for containing a food item in a primary container and a complementary food item in a secondary container is nested with the primary container. Both containers are closed and sealed by a single lid. The nested container has a peripheral rim that fits over the rim of the main container and has a surface that seals against an inside skirt of a lid that snaps around both peripheral rims of the main or primary container and the nested secondary container.

[0021] The nested secondary container is formed with a peripheral rim that has an edge angled under to provide a ridge or smooth surface that tightly engages an inside surface of the lid to assure a complete seal of both the primary and the nested secondary container. To provide the sealed ridge that acts similar to an O-ring, the nested container is formed in a mold that produces a polished edge around the periphery of the rim and a straight section adjacent to the shut off area of the mold.

[0022] The nested container is molded such that after removal from the mold and shrinkage, the peripheral rim migrates under forming a smooth sealing edge. The sealing edge is formed as a ridge and acts like an O-ring providing a secure seal against the inside surface of the lid when attached to both containers.

[0023] In the first embodiment of the secondary cup nested in the primary container, the sealing lid also includes a centrally located ridge or ring that matches the outside diameter of the bottom of the nested secondary cup. This allows the lid to be used as a tray when removed from the containers.

[0024] Another embodiment of the invention includes a primary container or bowl and a secondary container in the form of a receptacle that fits inside the main container and is an integral part of the lid that seals the primary container. The primary container is sealed by a lid having a peripheral flange or skirt that fits around the rolled peripheral rim of the main container.

[0025] The under side or inside surface of this lid has a circular wall forming a receptacle on the underside of the lid. This receptacle provides a secondary container that is closed by a lid that snaps around the circular wall of the receptacle. Optionally the receptacle is closed by a foil or film that is sealed around the peripheral edge of the receptacle.

[0026] The latter embodiment is suitable for such products as yogurt in the primary bowl and perhaps a fruit or other complementary food item in the secondary receptacle on the inside surface of the lid. The lid is removed and turned over and the lid or foil sealing the secondary receptacle in the lid is then removed. The contents of the receptacle on the inside surface of the lid can then be mixed with the contents (e.g., yogurt) in the primary container. Other options are the provision of a food item in the main bowl and a complementary sauce, condiment, or dip in the secondary receptacle on the inside of the lid.

[0027] Another embodiment is in the form of a cup on a cup or a secondary container acting as a lid for a main or primary container. The primary container has a peripheral lip for receiving a skirt having a notched peripheral flange that engages the peripheral rim of the primary container. This acts as a cover for the primary container. The cover also includes a receptacle formed in the central part of the lid for receiving a complementary food item. The secondary container formed in the lid is sealed by foil or plastic film in a recess at the top of the container. The recess forms a shelf for receiving a sealing foil or film.

[0028] This embodiment is also suitable for storing yogurt in the main or primary container and a complementary food item such as a fruit in the upper or secondary lid container. The primary container is preferably sealed by a film or foil after being filled with a suitable food item such as yogurt. The secondary lid container is filled with a complementary food item and sealed also by a film or foil and then snapped onto the main container. Preferably the secondary lid container is clear plastic so that a label printed with description of the contents or food items in the primary and secondary containers can be easily provided.

[0029] The peripheral recess on the top of the secondary lid container for receiving the sealing foil or film serves a dual purpose. The peripheral recess also serves the dual purpose of allowing the food containers to be comfortably and easily stacked.

[0030] The above and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a side view of a nested cup-in-a-cup configuration of dual associated primary and secondary containers according to the invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the dual containers taken at 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view illustrating a seal formed on nested bowl or secondary container against the inner peripheral surface of a lid.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the lid being used as a tray for the nested secondary container.

[0035] FIGS. 5a-5d illustrate various possible configurations for producing the dual associated containers.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an optional embodiment in which a receptacle forms a secondary container on the primary container lid.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating the primary lid of the embodiment of FIG. 6 removed from the primary container and reversed to allow use of a complementary food item in the secondary lid container.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating the removal of a lid from the secondary lid container to use complementary food items in the lid.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating the primary lid reversed with the secondary lid container sealed by a film or foil.

[0040] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of dual associated containers with the upper or secondary container acting as a lid for the main or primary container.

[0041] A first embodiment of associated or linked dual containers of a nested cup in a cup is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4. FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a usual food storage container 10 having a main or primary food container 12 and a lid 14 to seal the container. Preferably lid 14 is a tamper evident lid that will prevent tampering with contents of food container 10.

[0042] Dual food container 10 is shown in greater detail in sectional views of FIGS. 2 and 3. Primary food container 12 is the usual cylindrical configuration having bottom recess 16 when molded to provide additional strength and a peripheral rim 18 having flange 20 for engaging lid 14. A secondary container 15 is fitted inside and nests with primary container 12. Nested secondary container 15 can store and provide complementary food or other items that go with the contents of main or primary container 12. Secondary container 15 has a peripheral rim 22 that fits over upper edge 24 of flange 20 on primary container 12 as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

[0043] A critical element of the invention is the provision of a seal to seal the contents of primary container 12 and nested secondary container 15 containing complementary items. This seal must be secure to prevent items stored in nested secondary container 15 from leaking into primary container 12. This is particularly important if the items in nested container 15 are liquid or semi-liquid form. To provide a secure seal rim 22 formed on nested secondary container 15 is produced in a mold that creates a curvature to fit upper peripheral edge 24 of flange 20 on primary container 12. The mold produces a polished edge 26 around the periphery of rim 22 and a straight section 28 adjacent to the shut off area of the mold. Nested container 15 is created in the mold so that after removal and shrinkage, the peripheral rim migrates under forming smooth sealing edge 26. Sealing edge 26 is formed as a ridge and acts like an O-ring providing a secure seal against inside surface 30 of a skirt 32 on lid 14. Straight surface 28 formed on rim 22 rests on flange 20 of primary container 12 and securely abuts the inside surface 30 of lid 14 forming a secure seal. Shoulder 34 on the underside of skirt 32 on lid 14 acts as a catch to engage flange 20 on primary container 12 and abut ridge 26 on rim 22 of nesting secondary container 15.

[0044] In use, primary container 12 is filled with a primary product or item such as yogurt while nested secondary container 15 can be filled with a complementary food item such as a fruit. When the lid 14 is removed, nested secondary container 15 can sit on lid 14 which acts as a tray. For this purpose lid 14 has circular boss or ring 34 formed on top 36. The bottom or periphery ring 38 on secondary container 15 fits into boss or ring 34 on cover 14 to secure it while cover 14 is acting as a tray.

[0045] While the preferred embodiment of the dual nested primary and secondary containers 12 and 15 is preferably substantially cylindrical, it can be in different shapes. For example FIG. 5a shows the preferred cylindrical shape 40 while FIGS. 5b through 5d show triangular 42, square 44, and rectangular 46, as optional shapes. The only requirement for the nested containers is that the respective rims be constructed such that cover 14 provides an airtight, secure seal after the respective containers are filled with food items.

[0046] Another embodiment of dual associated or linked containers is illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 9. In this embodiment, primary container 50 is constructed in the usual fashion with base or bottom 52 having a recessed section 54 to provide strength and a peripheral rounded rim 56 for receiving and securing cover or lid 58 that seals the contents of the container. For this purpose as before, skirt 60 has a peripheral shoulder 52 that engages the edge of rim 56 on primary container 50. A secondary independent container is formed on underside 62 of primary lid 58 by circular or cylindrical wall 64 integrally formed on cover or lid 58. Peripheral edge 66 of wall 64 provides a shoulder 68 (FIG. 8) that engages and latches sealing secondary lid 70 having a shoulder on the inside surface of skirt 74. In most cases, secondary lid 70 will be sufficient to retain food items inside receptacle 75 formed by wall 64 on inside surface 62 of cover 58. This is particularly effective if the items inside receptacle 75 are dry items such as fruit.

[0047] However in some cases the complementary food item in receptacle 75 forming a secondary container on the inside surface 62 of primary lid 58 may be a liquid. Thus secondary lid 70 may not be sufficient to maintain a secure seal to prevent the liquid from leaking from receptacle 75 into primary container 50. To seal secondary container 75 in this case, a foil or film 76 may be securely fastened around the peripheral edge 78 of cylindrical wall 64 with an adhesive or by heat sealing as is well known in the art. Also preferably, film or foil 76 has an overlapping edge 80 that allows the film to be easily peeled off peripheral edge 78 exposing the contents of secondary container 75.

[0048] In use, for example with yogurt in primary container 50, secondary container 75 could contain a fruit or other complementary product. To use the product primary lid 58 is removed and turned over exposing secondary lid 70 or foil or film seal 76. Secondary lid 70 or foil seal 76 is removed allowing the contents to be exposed for use or mixing with yogurt in primary container 50.

[0049] A third embodiment of dual separable associated or linked containers is illustrated in FIG. 10. In this embodiment, primary container 90 is provided as before with peripheral rounded rim 92 and recessed bottom 94 to provide strength as is well known in the art. Upper peripheral rim 92 provides an edge 96 for seating with a cover as is known in the art and was described in previous embodiments.

[0050] However in this embodiment, cover or lid 100 is formed with skirt 98 having shoulder 102 that engages edge 96 of rim 92 on primary container 90.

[0051] Lid 100 also has a vertically extending wall 104 of sufficient height to allow secondary container 94 to be formed as an integral part of lid 100. Secondary container 94 is attached to wall 104 of lid 100 by a flange 106 that is secured to the underside of peripheral rim 108. Preferably cover 100 is formed as an integral part on a mold with container 94 integral with peripheral rim 108 and sidewall 104 as well as skirt 98. Secondary container 94 when attached to the peripheral rounded rim 108 of cover 100 leaves a recess 110 and shelf 112 for receiving a foil or film seal 114. Film or foil seal 114 is secured to shelf 110 by an adhesive or heat sealing as is well known in the art. When film 114 is securely sealed around peripheral shelf 112, recess 110 remains allowing additional containers 115 to be stably stacked.

[0052] As was described previously, lid 100 snaps on to peripheral rim 92 of primary container 90 with shoulder 102 on the underside of skirt 98 engaging an edge 96 of peripheral rounded rim 92. An additional seal to tightly seal the contents in main container 90 is provided by foil or film 112 securely fastened to the upper surface area 114 of rim 92 on main container 90. Foil or film again is securely fastened by means of adhesive or heat sealing to the upper edge of main container 90.

[0053] To use dual linked containers 105 comprised of primary container 90 and secondary container 94, they are each filled with a suitable food item. Main container 90 is then sealed with a foil or film 112 around the peripheral edge of rim 92. Secondary container 94 is then filled with a complementary food item and sealed by another foil or film 114 securely fastened to shelf 112 by adhesive or heat welding. Lid 100 having secondary container 94 is then snapped onto peripheral rim 92 of main container 90. To use the products stored in the container, the processed is simply reversed. Lid 100 is removed from container 90 and film seals 112 and 114 removed to expose the contents. Complementary contents in secondary container 94 can be used separately with the goods in primary container 90 or optionally they can contain products that can be mixed.

[0054] Another optional preferred feature is to manufacture lid 100 of a clear plastic material allowing a printed label 116 describing the contents to between wall 104 and the outside of secondary container 94. The printed label fits the curvature and when inserted extends only part way around the container allowing the contents in secondary container 94 to be visible.

[0055] Thus there has been described three different embodiments of dual associated or linked containers that are completely separable for using the products independently or cooperatively. In one embodiment a primary or main container has a nested secondary container with both being sealed by a lid that fits around the peripheral rims sealing both containers simultaneously. The lid when removed can also serve as a tray for the nested secondary container. In another embodiment, a secondary container is formed on the inside surface of the primary lid securely snaps around and seals a primary or main container. A lid on the secondary container formed on the underside of the lid seals the container against leakage. When liquid or semi-liquid goods are included in the secondary container or receptacle, a film or foil seal may be used. In a third embodiment, a secondary container sits on top of and is formed as an integral part of the lid on a primary or main container. The primary container is sealed by a foil or plastic film as is the secondary container integrally formed on the lid. The lid extends above the primary container and supports the secondary container. A space between the secondary container and the wall of the lid formed integrally therewith can be used for insertion of a printed label.

[0056] This invention is not to be limited by the embodiment shown in the drawings and described in the description which is given by way of example and not of limitation, but only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.