Patent Application
20190283943
The present disclosure relates generally to food containers. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to improved food storage containers. The containers generally include a container cup and a lid with a compartment for food storage. The container cup is adapted to hold a first product and the lid compartment is adapted to hold at least a second product.
Food processors typically can only choose from a limited number of preservation methods for a food product. A preservation process suitable for one food product may be incompatible with another food product. Food products may also be damaged or spoil if stored in contact with other food products.
Food containers must protect stored food products from contamination and spoilage. Packing requirements vary depending on the food product. Some food products require processing after being sealed in a container. Containers and packages used to store prepared food products are frequently suitable for storing only one type of food product. Specifically, due to processing and packaging limitations, containers for food products are typically adapted to hold a single type of food product. For example, food products which include a liquid (such as soups and beverages) are generally sealed in a container with a single storage compartment, such as a can. Dry foods, such as condiments or toppings for a soup (for example, croutons, cheeses, nuts, and vegetables) are generally stored and sold separately. Thus, a consumer must purchase two separate products stored in different containers.
The following patent applications related food containers and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,180,079, 6,364,152, 8,172,103, 8,870,010, 8,939,312, 9,038,845, 9,469,459, U.S. Patent Pub. 2003/0087015, U.S. Patent Pub. 2007/0172556, U.S. Patent Pub. 2013/0056463, U.S. Patent Pub. 2016/0324371, U.S. Design Pat. No. 792,765, PCT Pub. WO 2013/164482, and PCT Pub. WO 2017/152189. The aforementioned references fail to teach various novel features and devices of the present disclosure as shown and described herein.
There has been a long-felt but unmet need to provide a food container configured to store two different food products.
One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a food container comprising a container cup and a lid. The container cup generally includes a closed end, a sidewall extending upwardly from the closed end, and an opening opposite the closed end. The lid has an upper end, a lid body extending downwardly from the upper end, and a lower opening. The lid is adapted to cover or seal the open end of the container cup. At least one compartment is formed within the lid for storing a food product. In various embodiments, the lid comprises two or more compartments for storing food products with different handling and storage requirements.
The container cup is configured to store a first product in a cup compartment. In one embodiment, the first product is a liquid, such as a soup or a beverage. The lid compartment is operable to store at least a second product. Optionally, the second product can be a condiment to be added to the first product. For example, the second product may generally be solid, such as cheese, bread (such as a crouton), nuts, fruit, vegetables, and the like.
One or more of the first product and the second product can be sealed in a package before being positioned within the cup compartment or the lid compartment. For example, a package of a product, such as noodles, can be stored in the lid compartment. Optionally, at least one other product can be stored in the lid compartment with the pre-packaged product. The cup compartment can also be used to store two or more pre-packaged products, such as a dry product and a liquid product.
In one embodiment, the first product requires a first preservation process. The second product requires a different treatment or preservation process.
In one embodiment, the lid includes a partition wall which divides the lid compartment into at least a first compartment and a second compartment. The first and second compartments are operable to store food products prepared by different preservations processes. More specifically, the second compartment of the lid is operable to store a third product. The third product may comprise a seasoning (such as a spice) or other food product to be consumed with the first and second products.
In one embodiment, the partition wall has a shape configured to strengthen or increase the rigidity of the lid. Specifically, in one embodiment, the partition wall is not planar. Optionally, the partition wall has a shape that is fluted or furrowed. More specifically, in one embodiment, a horizontal cross-section of the partition wall has a shape of a wave including a plurality of crests and troughs.
In other embodiment, the shape of the partition wall is configured to reduce friction with a solid product stored in one of the first and second compartments. In this manner, when the lid is tilted sideways, the solid product will fall out of the compartment easily. Optionally, the shape of the partition wall can improve the flow of a liquid product from one of the first and second compartments. Specifically, the shape of the partition wall may be configured to reduce suction or “glugging” when the liquid product is poured from one of the first and second compartments of the lid.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is a lid for a food container. The lid generally includes a closed end. A body extends from the closed end to an open end which is in opposing relationship with the closed end. In one embodiment, the body includes at least a first compartment and a second compartment which are separated by a partition wall. A first food product and a second food product can be stored in the respective first and second compartments. A sealing material, such as metal foil or plastic film, can be affixed over the open end to seal the first and second compartments with the food products therein. The sealing material can be affixed to a free end of the partition wall which is distal to the closed end. The first and second compartments can optionally be opened at different times. For example, the first and second compartments can be individually sealed by a first seal and a second seal respectively. Alternatively, a single piece of sealing material can seal both the first and second compartments, but the single piece of sealing material can be configured to open the first and second compartments separately. In one embodiment, a score or tear line is formed in the single seal such that the first compartment can be opened without breaking the seal of the second compartment.
Optionally, the partition wall has a shape that is fluted. The fluted shape of the partition wall increases the strength of the lid. Additionally, fluting the partition wall increases the surface area of the free end of the partition wall compared to a partition wall of the same thickness which is straight or planar. In this manner, the strength of a bond between the sealing material and the partition wall is increased.
The lid includes an attachment means proximate to the open end. The attachment means is configured to selectively engage one of a container cup and a second lid. Accordingly, two or more lids can be selectively attached together. In this manner, a lid including first and second food products can be attached to a second lid including third and fourth food products. Optionally, the second lid can be attached to the container cup.
The lid can be formed of a thermoplastic polymer. In one embodiment, the lid comprises a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material. Alternatively, the lid can comprise polypropylene. In one embodiment, the cup is formed of one or more of PET and polypropylene.
Optionally, the lid and/or the cup can be produced by a thermal forming method. For example, in one embodiment, a sheet of material is heated, a mold is configured to form a lid or a cup in the heated sheet, and the lid or cup is trimmed or cut from the sheet. Alternatively, the lid and/or the cup can be produced by injection molding.
It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a food container including at least three different food products stored therein. The food container generally includes, but is not limited to, a lid attached to a container cup.
The lid includes a body extending from a closed end to an open end. A flange extends from the body proximate to the open end of the lid. The lid includes at least a first compartment and a second compartment formed within the body. A partition wall within the lid body separates the first and second compartments. The partition wall may be generally planar. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the partition wall is not planar. Optionally, the partition wall has a shape that is furrowed and includes a plurality of crests and troughs.
In one embodiment, the first and second compartments are of substantially the same volume. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the first compartment has a volume that is different than the volume of the second compartment.
The container cup includes a closed end, a sidewall extending from the closed end to an upper opening, and a flange extending outwardly proximate to the upper opening. A cup compartment is defined by the closed end and the sidewall.
A first food product is sealed in the first compartment of the lid, a second food product is sealed in the second compartment of the lid, and a third food product is sealed in the cup compartment. In one embodiment, the first and second compartments of the lid are sealed by a single piece of sealing material. The single piece of sealing material for the first and second compartments can be configured to selectively open one of the first and second compartments while the other one of the second and first compartments remains sealed. Optionally, the sealing material comprises a disc of one of a plastic film and a metal foil. In one embodiment, the sealing material is adhered to the lid body and to a free end of the partition wall, the free end being distal to the closed end of the lid.
The cup flange is configured to engage the lid flange. The lid and the container cup are attached such that the lid flange is engaged with the cup flange. Accordingly, the open end of the lid is oriented toward the upper opening of the container cup.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is a process of storing food in a food container comprising at least two storage compartments. The process generally comprises: (1) treating a first food product in a first process; (2) sealing the first food product in a compartment of a lid; (3) treating a second food product with a second process; (4) filing a container cup with the second food product; (5) sealing the container cup; and (6) securing the lid to the container cup. In one embodiment, one or more of the lid compartment and the container cup are sealed with a plastic film or a metal foil. Optionally, the container cup is sealed by the same equipment which has sealed the lid. In one embodiment, the container cup may be sealed with the lid.
In one embodiment, the first food product is treated in the first process after the first food product is sealed in the compartment. Optionally, the second food product can be treated with the second process after the second food product is sealed in the container cup. The first and second processes can be one or more of a steam treatment, high pressure processing (HPP), or high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing.
One aspect of the present disclosure is a food container configured to store at least two different food products. The food container generally includes, but is not limited to, one or more of: (1) a lid having an upper end, a body, at least one lid compartment within the body, and a lower opening; and (2) a container cup including a closed end, a sidewall, a cup compartment defined by the sidewall and the closed end, and an upper opening, wherein the lid and the container cup are configured to be selectively interconnected. When the lid and the container cup are selectively interconnected, the lower opening of the lid is oriented toward the upper opening of the container cup.
In one embodiment, the lid includes a partition wall dividing the at least one lid compartment into a first compartment and a second compartment for storing different food products. The partition wall can optionally divide the at least one lid compartment into three or more compartments.
In one embodiment, the partition wall is not planar. More specifically, the partition wall can include a plurality of troughs and crests. In one embodiment, the shape of the partition wall is selected to strengthen the lid during sealing and increase a surface area to which a sealing material, such as a plastic film or a metal foil, can be adhered.
Optionally, the food container may further include a first food product sealed in the first compartment of the lid, a second food product sealed in the second compartment of the lid, and a third food product sealed in the cup compartment. In one embodiment, the first, second, and third food products are treated with at least two different food preservation processes. The food preservation processes can include one or more of a steam treatment, high pressure processing (HPP), or high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing. In one embodiment, one or more of the first, second, and third food products can be treated after being sealed in a compartment.
In one embodiment, a method of storing food products in a food container is provided. The method comprises: (1) preparing a first food product according to a first process; (2) placing the first food product in a first compartment of a lid of the food container; (3) preparing a second food product according to a second process; (4) placing the second food product in a second compartment of the lid; (5) sealing the first and second compartments of the lid; (6) preparing a third food product according to a third process; (7) placing the third food product in a compartment of a container cup of the food container; (8) sealing the compartment of the container cup; and (9) attaching the lid to the container cup. Optionally, the first and second compartments are sealed substantially simultaneously.
In one embodiment, one or more of the first, second, and third food products are prepared (or treated) after the respective first and second lid compartment or the container cup compartment has been sealed. Sealing the first and second compartments may include adhering a disc of plastic film or metal foil to the lid. Optionally, the compartment of the container cup can be sealed by the disc adhered to the lid when the lid is attached to the container cup. Alternatively, the container cup compartment is sealed by a second disc of plastic film or metal foil.
In one embodiment, the lid includes at least three compartments. It is further contemplated that additional lids are prepared in a similar manner, and a user is provided with the option of selecting and selectively attaching a plurality of lids to a product at a point-of-sale. In such embodiments, a user is provided with a nearly-infinite array of options for food additives and supplements based on user-preference, etc.
By way of example, the first food product is contemplated as comprising one of a cracker and a bread. Optionally, the second food product is a cheese. Additionally, the third food product can include a liquid, such as a soup or a broth.
Attaching the lid to the container cup can further include orienting a lower opening of the lid toward an upper opening of the container cup such that, after the lid is attached to the container cup, the lid lower opening is proximate to the upper opening of the container cup.
Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a food storage system configured to store at least two different food products, comprising: (1) a first lid including a first body with an upper end, a lower opening, and a first compartment within the first body; (2) a second lid including a second body with an upper end, a lower opening, and a second compartment within the second body, the second lid being configured to selectively attach to the first lid; and (3) a container cup with a closed end, a sidewall, a cup compartment defined by the sidewall and the closed end, and an upper opening, the first and second lids being configured to be selectively interconnected to the container cup. The first and second lids can include one or more of a snap, a hook and loop material, and an adhesive to facilitate attachment of the first lid to the second lid. Optionally, an attachment means of the first lid can be used to attach the first lid to the second lid.
In one embodiment, a first food product is provided within the first compartment, a second food product is provided within the second compartment, and a third food product is provided within the cup compartment. Optionally, the first and second food products are treated with two different food preservation processes. In another embodiment, the first lid includes a partition wall dividing the first compartment into a first storage area and a second storage area. Accordingly, the first lid can optionally store two different food products.
Additionally, or alternatively, the first body can be oriented at an angle of between approximately 93° and 99° relative to a plane defined by the upper end.
The first body can optionally include indentations forming scallops. In one embodiment, the indentations extend from a lower portion of the first body to the upper end of the first lid.
In one embodiment, the first lid includes an attachment means configured to selectively interconnect to an engagement means of the container cup. The attachment means of the first lid may comprise a first flange with an outer curl, the first flange extending from the first body. The engagement means of the container cup can include a second flange extending from the sidewall.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is a food container configured to store at least two different food products. The foot container generally includes, but is not limited to: (1) a lid having: (a) an upper end; (b) a body; (c) at least one lid compartment within the body; (d) a lower opening; (e) a first flange extending outwardly from the body; (f) a curl extending downwardly from an outer portion of the first flange; and (g) an engagement feature extending inwardly from an inwardly facing surface of the curl; and (2) a container cup including: (i) a closed end; (ii) a sidewall; (iii) a cup compartment defined by the sidewall and the closed end; (iv) an upper opening; (v) a second flange extending outwardly from the sidewall; and (vi) a free end that extends downwardly from an outer portion of the second flange, wherein the annular bead of the lid is configured to selectively engage the container cup to interconnect the lid to the container cup.
In one embodiment, the engagement feature comprises an inwardly oriented protrusion. The protrusion can have a shape that is generally rounded, such as like an annular bead. Alternatively, the protrusion can have a generally planar shape and a triangular cross section. Optionally, a second flange can extend outwardly from the engagement feature.
The lid can be formed of a PET material. Optionally, the container cup can also be formed of a PET material.
In one embodiment, the lid includes a partition wall dividing the at least one lid compartment into a first compartment and a second compartment for storing different food products. Optionally, a first food product is sealed in the first compartment of the lid, a second food product is sealed in the second compartment of the lid, and a third food product is sealed in the cup compartment. In one embodiment, the first, second, and third food products have been treated with at least two different food preservation processes.
In one embodiment, when the lid and the container cup are interconnected, the lower opening of the lid is oriented toward the upper opening of the container cup. Additionally, or alternatively, when the lid and the container cup are interconnected, a lower surface of the first flange is generally parallel to an upper surface of the second flange and the annular bead contacts a lower surface of the free end of the second flange.
Still another aspect is a lid for a food storage system, comprising: (1) a body with an upper end, a lower opening, and a compartment within the body that is configured to store a food product; (2) a flange extending outwardly from the body; (3) a curl extending downwardly from an outer portion of the flange; and (4) an engagement feature extending inwardly from an interior surface of the curl such that the flange is configured to engage a portion of a container cup to selectively interconnect the lid to the container cup. In one embodiment, the flange is approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the upper end. In another embodiment, the curl slopes outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the curl is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis.
In one embodiment, the engagement feature is an annular bead.
The lid can optionally include a flange curl extending outwardly from a lowermost portion of the engagement feature. The second flange can be oriented approximately parallel to the flange extending from the body.
Optionally, the lid can further comprise a partition wall to divide the compartment into a first compartment and a second compartment for storing two different food products. In one embodiment, the partition wall is fluted such that a horizontal cross-section of the partition wall includes a crest and a trough.
The body of the lid can slope outwardly from the upper end to the lower opening. More specifically, in one embodiment, the body slopes outwardly at an angle of between approximately 3° and 9° relative to a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the upper end.
In one embodiment, the lid comprises a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material. Optionally, the lid can be produced by a thermal forming method.
In another embodiment, at least one product is sealed in the compartment of the lid. The product can be sealed in a package before being placed in the compartment. In one embodiment, the product comprises a package of noodles.
The Summary is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the present disclosure is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary. Additional aspects of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions.
Similar components and/or features may have the same reference number. Components of the same type may be distinguished by a letter following the reference number. If only the reference number is used, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same reference number. To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
Referring now to
Optionally, the body 12 tapers inwardly toward the upper end 10. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the lower opening 34 has a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the upper end 10. In one embodiment, body 12 slopes inwardly at an angle of less than approximately 10°.
The lid 8 is configured to selectively attach to the container cup 40 by an attachment means 26. In one embodiment, the attachment means 26 is adapted to snap onto the container cup 40.
The attachment means 26 can comprise a flange 28, illustrated in
Optionally, the curl 30 slopes outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the curl 30 is oriented at an angle of between approximately 1° and approximately 10°, or approximately 3° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lid 8. The flange 28 extends outwardly from the body 12 such that an interior surface 30A of the curl 30 is spaced a predetermined distance from the body 12. In one embodiment, the curl interior surface 30A is at least approximately 0.190 inches from the body 12. The curl interior surface 30A can optionally be between approximately 0.190 inches and approximately 0.205 inches from the body 12.
The annular bead 32 extends inwardly from the curl interior surface 30A. Optionally, the annular bead can have a rounded or curved surface. In one embodiment, a vertical cross-section of the annular bead 32 has a shape that is generally hemispherical. The annular bead 32 can be spaced from a lower surface 28A of the flange 28 by a predetermined distance 36A. In this manner, the lower surface 28A and the bead 32 define a gap 36. In one embodiment, the distance 36A is at least approximately 0.08 inches. The gap 36 is configured to receive a flange 50 of a container cup 40 as generally illustrated in
The attachment means 26 may selectively attach the lid to the container cup in other ways. For example, in one embodiment, the attachment means 26 includes threads which engage corresponding threads formed on the container cup.
Optionally, two or more lids 8 may be joined together. For example, at a point of sale, a consumer may select two or more lids 8 with food products to be consumed with a food product sealed in a container cup 40. Each lid 8 may include two or more different food products. After selecting the two or more lids 8, the consumer can connect the second lid to the first lid. One of the first and second lids can also be connected to the container cup 40 selected by the consumer.
In one embodiment, the attachment means 26 of a first lid 8 is configured to engage bot a flange of a container cup and a body 12 of a second lid 8. For example, the first lid 8 can be joined to the second lid 8 using the attachment means 26.
In another embodiment, lids 8 of the present disclosure can be selectively interconnected together with a snap fit or similar means. For example, the lids can include a projection and a recess. A projection of a first lid can engage a recess of a second lid to selectively interconnect the first and second lids together. Optionally, the projection and recess can be positioned on an exterior surface of the upper end 10 of the lids.
In still another embodiment, the lids can include a hook and loop material, such as Velcro®, that can be used to join two or more lids 8 together.
Additionally, or alternatively, in another embodiment of the present disclosure a first lid 8 can be releasably joined to a second lid 8 by an adhesive 11. For example, a consumer can remove a cover from an adhesive layer or tape 11 on the first lid 8. The consumer can then use the exposed adhesive layer to selectively join the second lid to the first lid. In one embodiment, the lids 8 include an adhesive layer 11 on an exterior surface of the upper end 10 such as generally illustrated in
In one embodiment, a lid 8A can have only one interior compartment 16 as generally illustrated in
Optionally, the first and second compartments 16A, 16B are of substantially the same volume. Alternatively, one of the compartments 16A may have a different volume than the other compartment 16B. Although only one partition wall 20 is illustrated, the lid 8 may include two or more partition walls forming from two to six compartments 16 in the lid.
The compartment 16 can be sealed by a disc (not illustrated) comprising a plastic film or metal foil. The sealing disc may be affixed the body 12. More specifically, in one embodiment, a sealing disc is affixed to at least a portion of the flange 28 and the free end 21 of the partition wall to seal the first and second compartments 16A, 16B. Optionally, the sealing disc can be configured to permit opening the first and second compartments 16A, 16B individually at separate times. The sealing disc can be scored or configured to tear along the free end 21 of the partition wall 20 such that one of the compartments 16 can be opened while the other one of the compartments remains sealed. In one embodiment, the first and second compartments 16A, 16B are individually sealed by separate pieces of sealing plastic or metal foil.
Referring now to
The fluted shape of the partition wall 20 provides several benefits. For example, the fluted shape can increase the strength or rigidity of the lid 8. The fluted partition wall 20 also increases the surface area of the free end 21. Accordingly, more surface area is provided on the free end 21 to adhere a sealing disc to the lid 8. In this manner, the strength of the seal between the sealing disc and the lid is improved.
The fluted shape of the partition wall 20 can also improve the release of food products from the first and second compartments 16A, 16B. The fluted shape can reduce suction and improve pouring of a liquid product from one of the compartments 16A, 16B. For example, the crests 22 of the partition wall can improve air flow into a compartment as a liquid product is poured from the compartment, resulting in an even flow and preventing or reducing “glugging”. The crests 22 can also reduce friction between the partition wall 20 and a generally solid food product stored in a compartment 16. Accordingly, the generally solid food product can be removed from the compartment more easily.
Optionally, the body 12 includes grip features 14. The grip features 14 may comprise a plurality of scallops. The grip features 14 are best seen in
A lid 8 may be colored to indicate a food product stored in one or more of the compartments 16. For example, a first lid may have a first color or indicia indicative of a first product stored in a compartment. A second lid can have a second color or indicia related to a second product stored in a compartment.
Each lid 8 may optionally have a color or indicia associated with each food product stored in the two or more compartments 16. Accordingly, a lid 8 with two compartments 16A, 16B can have a first color or indicia associated with a first food product to be stored in the first compartment 16A and a second color or indicia associated with a second food product to be stored in the second compartment 16B.
Similarly, a second lid which has three compartments 16 can have a third color or indicia associated with a third food product to be stored in a first compartment. The second lid can also include a fourth color or indicia associated with a fourth product to be stored in a second compartment and a fifth color or indicia associated with a fifth product to be stored in a third compartment of the second lid.
Referring now to
Optionally, at least a portion of the sidewall 48 can be covered by an insulating material. For example, the sidewall can be at least partially covered by a second material that is different than a material from which the container cup 40 is formed. In one embodiment, the second material comprises a plastic, an extruded polystyrene foam, a paper, rubber, and similar materials. Optionally, the second material can be paperboard. Additionally, the insulating material can be removably affixed to an exterior surface of the sidewall 48. Alternatively, the insulating material can be permanently affixed to the sidewall. Indicia, such as a product description including text, can be formed on one or more of the sidewall 48 and the insulating material.
In one embodiment, the closed end 42 has a shape of an inwardly oriented dome 44. One or more ribs 46 may extend inwardly from the sidewall 48 and attach to the closed end.
The sidewall 48 is configured to selectively engage the lid 8. In one embodiment, a flange 50 extends from the sidewall.
Referring now to
The flange 50 optionally includes a free end 52 that extends downwardly towards the closed end 42. The free end 52 of the flange 50 can have a rounded cross-sectional profile. The free end 52 is spaced a predetermined distance 52A from the flange 50. In one embodiment, the distance 52A between the free end 52 and the flange 50 is between approximately 0.18 inches and approximately 0.10 inches or approximately 0.090 inches.
Referring now to
The lid flange 28 and the cup flange 50 optionally form engagement surfaces for seals to close the compartments 16, 54 of the lid 8 and container cup 40. The seals may comprise a plastic film or a foil disc or sheet. Accordingly, as illustrated in
Referring again to
Dimensions are included in
The lid 8 optionally has a height of between approximately 1.25 inches and 2.25 inches or approximately 1.5 inches and an interior diameter of the lower opening 34 is between approximately 3.0 inches and 4.25 inches. In one embodiment, the body has a thickness of between approximately 0.025 inches and approximately 0.055 inches with the partition wall 20 being between approximately 0.065 inches and approximately 0.095 inches thick.
In one embodiment, the sidewall 48 of the container cup has a thickness of between approximately 0.025 inches and approximately 0.045 inches. The container cup 40 has a height of between approximately 3.5 inches and 5.0 inches. Optionally, a diameter of the closed end 42 is between approximately 2.25 inches and approximately 3.5 inches. The upper opening has an interior diameter of between about 3.0 inches and 4.25 inches.
The lid 8 and container cup 40 may be filled with different food products. In one embodiment, a first food product is prepared according to a first process. The first food product is then placed in a compartment 16 of the lid 8. The open end 34 of the lid 8 is then sealed. Optionally, a disc of a sealing material is interconnected to the lid flange 28. The sealing material can also be interconnected to the free end 21 of the partition wall. The disc may be of any suitable material known to those of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the material comprises a plastic film or a metal foil.
Continuing this example, a second food product is prepared according to a second process. The compartment 54 of the container cup 40 is then filled with the second food product. The open end 56 of the container cup 40 is then sealed. In one embodiment, a disc of sealing material is interconnected to the cup flange 50. Optionally, the sealing material is one of a plastic film and a metal foil. The sealing material may be the same as, or different than, the material used to seal the lid lower opening.
Food products can be treated before or after being positioned in the lid compartment 16 and/or the cup compartment 54. Optionally, the compartments 16, 54 can be sealed before food products therein are treated. In one embodiment, food products stored in compartments 16, 54 can be treated by one or more of a stream process, high pressure processing, high hydrostatic pressure processing, and the like.
Optionally, the lid 8 may be connected to the container cup 40. When the lid 8 and container cup 40 are interconnected, the lid opening 34 is oriented toward the cup opening 56. In one embodiment, a single disc of sealing material can seal both the lid compartment 16 and the cup compartment 54. More specifically, the sealing material can be adhered to the lid 8 to seal the lid compartment. The lid may then be aligned with the container cup 40 with the sealing material facing the upper opening 56 of the container cup. When the lid is connected to the container cup, the sealing material adhered to the lid 8 will also seal the cup upper opening 56.
Alternatively, the lid 8 and container cup 40 may by stored, shipped, and sold separately. In one embodiment, lids 8 with a plurality of different food products may be offered for sale separately from container cups 40 with two or more different food products. In this manner, a customer can select a container cup 40 with a desired food product and a lid 8 with a complimentary food product. For example, a first container cup may include oatmeal and a second container cup may store yogurt. A first lid may store nuts and a second lid may contain dried or fresh fruit.
Optionally, the first and second lids can each contain two or more food products. In various embodiments, the lids can be selectively interconnected providing the consumer the flexibility to create a custom container 4. For example, the consumer may select a first lid and a second lid which each contain two compartments with two or more desired products. The consumer can then connect the first lid to the second lid. A container cup 40 with another desired food product may be selected by the consumer from a plurality of container cups containing different food products. One of the first and second lids 8 can then be connected to the selected container cup 40 by the consumer. In this manner, the consumer can create a container 4 which includes a container cup 40 with a first food product, a first lid 8 with one or more food products, and at least a second lid 8 with one or more additional food products. Additionally, it is contemplated that a user may continue to select and purchase lids of the present disclosure without a limitation on quantity. A user may select a plurality of lids in accordance with the present disclosure and is not limited to any particular lid or group of lids.
Referring now to
Lid 8B generally includes an upper end 10, a body 12 extending downwardly from the upper end 10, and a lower opening 34 in opposing relationship to the upper end 10. The body 12 is substantially hollow and defines at least one compartment 16.
Optionally, the body 12 tapers inwardly toward the upper end 10. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the lower opening 34 has a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the upper end 10. In one embodiment, body 12 slopes inwardly at an angle of less than approximately 10°.
A portion of the upper end 10 can optionally include a depression or recess 13. The recess can be configured to increase the strength of the lid 8B.
The lid 8B is configured to selectively attach to a container cup 40 of any embodiment of the present disclosure by an attachment means 26. In one embodiment, the attachment means 26 is adapted to snap onto the container cup 40.
The attachment means 26 can comprise a flange 28, illustrated in
Optionally, the flange 28 extends substantially radially away from the body 12. More specifically, in one embodiment the flange 28 is oriented generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lid 8B, the longitudinal axis being approximately perpendicular to the upper end 10 of the lid.
In one embodiment, the curl 30 is oriented substantially parallel relative to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the curl 30 is oriented at an angle less than approximately 2° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lid 8B. The flange 28 extends outwardly from the body 12 such that an interior surface 30A of the curl 30 is spaced a predetermined distance from the body 12. In one embodiment, the curl interior surface 30A is at least approximately 0.190 inches from the body 12. The curl interior surface 30A can optionally be between approximately 0.190 inches and approximately 0.205 inches from the body 12.
The protrusion 32A is similar to the annular bead 32 of the lid 8. More specifically, the protrusion 32 extends inwardly from the curl interior surface 30A. Optionally, the protrusion 32A can have a vertical cross-sectional profile of a triangle. The protrusion 32A can be spaced from a lower surface 28A of the flange 28 by a predetermined distance 36A. In this manner, the lower surface 28A and the protrusion 32A define a gap 36. In one embodiment, the distance 36A is at least approximately 0.11 inches, or optionally about 0.1 inches. The gap 36 is configured to receive a flange 50 of a container cup 40 in a manner similar to that shown in
The cup 8B can optionally include an outer flange 33. More specifically, an outer flange 33 can extend from the protrusion 32A. In one embodiment, the outer flange 33 is oriented approximately parallel to the first flange 28. The outer flange can have an outer diameter of between approximately 4.1 inches and approximately 4.5 inches, or approximately 4.30 inches.
The outer flange 33 can optionally be configured as a lever to facilitate separating the lid 8B from a container cup 40. More specifically, a user can apply a force to the outer flange 33 to bend the outer flange 33 upwardly toward the upper end of the lid. In this manner, the protrusion 32A can be bent or hinged outwardly to increase the minimum interior diameter of the protrusion 32A.
The lid 8B can be formed of a thermoplastic polymer. In one embodiment, the lid comprises a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material.
Optionally, the lid can be produced by a thermal forming method. For example, in one embodiment, a sheet of PET material is heated. A lid mold which is configured to form a lid is pressed into the heated sheet of PET. The lid is subsequently cut from the sheet.
One or more products can be stored in a compartment 16 of the lid 8B. Optionally, the lid 8B can include a partition wall 20 and two or more compartments 16. In one embodiment, the compartment 16 of the lid 8B can be sealed with a sealing material, such as a plastic, a metal foil, or a paper. Additionally, or alternatively, a product can be sealed in a package before being positioned within the compartment 16 of the lid 8B. In one embodiment, a package of a product, such as noodles, is stored the lid compartment 16.
The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, ratios, ranges, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” or “approximately”. Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, ratios, ranges, and so forth used in the specification and claims may be increased or decreased by approximately 5% to achieve satisfactory results.
The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein.
While various embodiments of the disclosed device have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, as set forth in the following claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “adding” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.
The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing description for example, various features of the disclosure have been identified. It should be appreciated that these features may be combined together into a single embodiment or in various other combinations as appropriate. The dimensions of the component pieces may also vary, yet still be within the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, though the description has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g. as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
The present disclosure, in various embodiments, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, subcombinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the devices of the disclosure after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various embodiments, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment.
This application claims priority and benefits under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/643,260 filed on Mar. 15, 2018, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62643260 | Mar 2018 | US |
