WO2018053376A1 - Food container system - Google Patents

Food container system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018053376A1
WO2018053376A1 PCT/US2017/051945 US2017051945W WO2018053376A1 WO 2018053376 A1 WO2018053376 A1 WO 2018053376A1 US 2017051945 W US2017051945 W US 2017051945W WO 2018053376 A1 WO2018053376 A1 WO 2018053376A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
food container
coupling structure
lid
food
cup
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2017/051945
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jeff ANGEL
Allen Tucker
Mike Henry
Original Assignee
Snacktops, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Snacktops, Inc. filed Critical Snacktops, Inc.
Priority claimed from US15/706,755 external-priority patent/US10232997B2/en
Publication of WO2018053376A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018053376A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G19/00—Table service
    • A47G19/02—Plates, dishes or the like
    • A47G19/06—Plates with integral holders for spoons, glasses, or the like
    • A47G19/065—Plates with integral holders for spoons, glasses, or the like with thumb holes, handles or the like enabling the user to support the plate from below
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0238—Rigid or semi-rigid containers provided with a recess in order to be seated on the neck or similar protrusion of a larger container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2231/00—Means for facilitating the complete expelling of the contents
    • B65D2231/02—Precut holes or weakened zones
    • B65D2231/022—Precut holes or weakened zones for permitting the insertion of a tubular contents-removing device, e.g. a drinking straw
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00055—Lids serving as, or incorporating, drinking or measuring vessels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00259—Materials used
    • B65D2543/00296—Plastic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00342—Central part of the lid
    • B65D2543/00351—Dome-like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/00537—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to food containers.
  • Patent Application SN 13/733153 entitled “CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” filed on January 3, 2013; U.S. Patent Application SN 14/263993 entitled “LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” filed on April 28, 2014; U.S. Patent Application SN 14/269016 entitled “A CONTAINER LID WITH ONE OR MORE CAVITIES” filed on May 2, 2014; U.S. Patent Application SN 14/274576 entitled “A CONTAINER LID FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
  • yogurt manufacturers have placed a small food container on the lid of a yogurt cup.
  • the food container (often holding nuts or granola) must be removed from the yogurt cup and then flipped over and opened, then the contents are poured into the yogurt cup. It is therefore not possible to simultaneously access the contents of the yogurt cup and the contents of the food container; rather, the food container must be completely disengaged from the cup to access either the contents of the yogurt cup or the contents of the food container.
  • the food container that attaches to the yogurt cup in an upside-down position has a limited food-volume capacity because its walls taper as they proceed upward toward the bottom of the upside-down container. Without this tapering, the yogurt cup/food container complex would become top-heavy and cumbersome.
  • a food container system includes a food container lid.
  • the lid has a beverage container coupling structure that removably attaches to a beverage container.
  • the beverage container coupling structure circumscribes a footprint of the lid.
  • the lid also has a drink-hole surface within the lid footprint and an annular surface above the beverage container coupling structure and within the lid footprint.
  • the annular surface is connected to the drink-hole planar surface and includes food container coupling structure that removably attaches to a second food container.
  • a food compartment is formed from a food compartment inner wall extending from the annular surface, and a bottom connected to the food compartment inner wall.
  • the lid also includes a drink hole extending through the drink-hole surface.
  • the annular surface may include a rim and an annular surface outer wall extending from the rim to a position lower than the rim and the annular surface outer wall outer wall contains the food container coupling structure.
  • the annular surface may be concentric or non-concentric with the lid footprint.
  • the food container system may also include a cup adapted to nest in the food container, the cup may have a cover.
  • the cup may also have a cup coupling structure, while the FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM container inner wall may have a complementary cup coupling structure that detachably mates with the cup coupling structure, thereby securing the cup in the food container.
  • the food container system may also have a second food container that includes a bottom with a complementary food container coupling structure that detachably mates with the food container coupling structure, thereby securing the cup to the second food container to the food container lid.
  • the complementary food container coupling structure may also have an inner wall with an inner wall coupling structure, and an outer wall with an outer wall coupling structure.
  • the food container coupling structure may be located near the annular surface rim on the food compartment inner wall, much like the cup coupling structure.
  • the complementary food container coupling structure outer wall coupling structure 110 mates with the food container coupling structure.
  • FIG. 1 A illustrates a first embodiment of food container lid.
  • FIG. IB illustrates the food container lid of FIG. 1 A.
  • FIG. 1C is a front view showing the food container lid of FIG. 1A receiving a cup.
  • FIG. ID is a side view showing the food container lid of FIG. 1A receiving the cup.
  • FIG. IE is a front view showing the food container lid of FIG. 1A with the cup nested therein.
  • FIG. IF is a side view showing the food container lid of FIG. 1 A with the cup nested therein
  • FIG. 1G is a perspective view showing the food container lid of FIG. 1 A mounted to a beverage container receiving a food container cup.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a second embodiment of food container lid.
  • FIG. 2B is a front view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A receiving a cup.
  • FIG. 2C is a side view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A receiving the cup.
  • FIG. 2D is a front view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A with the cup nested therein.
  • FIG. 2E is a side view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A with the cup nested therein
  • FIG. 2F is a front view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A receiving a shallow cup.
  • FIG. 2G is a side view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A receiving the shallow cup.
  • FIG. 2H is a front view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A with the shallow cup nested therein.
  • FIG. 21 is a side view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A with the shallow food nested therein FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
  • FIG. 3A illustrates the food container lid receiving a food tray to be mounted thereon.
  • FIG. 3B is a front view of the food container lid receiving the food tray to be mounted thereon.
  • FIG. 3C is a side view of the food container lid receiving the food tray to be mounted thereon.
  • FIG. 3D is a front view of the food container lid with the food tray mounted thereon.
  • FIG. 3E is a side view of the food container lid with the food tray mounted thereon.
  • FIG. 3F is an isometric bottom view of a first embodiment of a food tray that may be mounted to the food container lid of FIG. 3 A.
  • FIG. 3G is an isometric bottom view of a second embodiment of a food tray that may be mounted to the food container lid of FIG. 3 A.
  • FIG. 3H illustrates a third embodiment of food container lid.
  • FIG. 31 illustrates a detached view of the third embodiment of food container lid shown in FIG 3H.
  • FIG. 3J illustrates the lid of FIG. 3 A mounted to a lid and the position of the straw.
  • FIG. 3K illustrates the lid of FIG. 3 A mounted to a lid and the position of the straw.
  • FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the food container lid.
  • FIG. 4B is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A.
  • FIG. 4C is a front perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A, shown made of transparent material.
  • FIG. 4D is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A, shown made of transparent material FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
  • FIG. 4E is a front view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A.
  • FIG. 4F is a bottom view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A.
  • FIG. 4G is a bottom-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A.
  • FIG. 4H is a left-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A.
  • FIG. 41 is a top-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A.
  • FIG. 4J is a right-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A.
  • FIG. 4K shows the food container lid of FIG. 4A mounted to a beverage container.
  • FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the food container lid.
  • FIG. 5B is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
  • FIG. 5C is a front view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
  • FIG. 5D is a back view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
  • FIG. 5E is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
  • FIG. 5F is a side perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
  • FIG. 5G is a right-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
  • FIG. 5H is a left-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
  • FIG. 51 is a top-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
  • FIG. 5 J is a bottom-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
  • FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the food container lid.
  • FIG. 6B is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A.
  • FIG. 6C is a front perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A, shown made of transparent material.
  • FIG. 6D is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A, shown made of transparent material
  • FIG. 6E is a front view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A.
  • FIG. 6F is a bottom view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A.
  • FIG. 6G is a bottom-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A.
  • FIG. 6H is a left-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A.
  • FIG. 61 is a top-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A.
  • FIG. 6J is a right-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A.
  • FIG. 6K shows the food container lid of FIG. 6A mounted to a beverage container.
  • FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the food container lid.
  • FIG. 7B is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A.
  • FIG. 7C is a front perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A, shown made of transparent material.
  • FIG. 7D is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A, shown made of transparent material
  • FIG. 7E is a front view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A.
  • FIG. 7F is a bottom view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A.
  • FIG. 7G is a bottom-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A.
  • FIG. 7H is a left-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A.
  • FIG. 71 is a top-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A.
  • FIG. 7J is a right-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A.
  • FIG. 7K shows the food container lid of FIG. 7A mounted to a beverage container.
  • FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the food container lid.
  • FIG. 8B is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 8 A.
  • FIG. 8C is a front perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 8A, shown made of transparent material.
  • FIG. 8D is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 8A, shown made of transparent material
  • FIG. 8E is a front view of the food container lid of FIG. 8 A.
  • FIG. 8F is a bottom view of the food container lid of FIG. 8 A.
  • FIG. 8G is a bottom-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 8 A.
  • FIG. 8H is a left-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 8 A.
  • FIG. 81 is a top-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 8 A.
  • FIG. 8 J is a right-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 8 A.
  • FIG. 8K shows the food container lid of FIG. 8A mounted to a beverage container.
  • FIG. 9A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the food container lid.
  • FIG. 9B is a side perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 9A.
  • FIG. 9C is a side perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 9A.
  • FIG. 9D is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 9A.
  • FIG. 9E is a side perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 9A.
  • FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the food container lid.
  • FIG. 10B is a side perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 10A.
  • FIG. IOC is a side perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 10A.
  • FIG. 10D is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 10A.
  • FIG. 10E is a side perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 10A.
  • connection, relationship or communication between two or more entities does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection, as a variety of other entities or processes may reside or occur between any two entities. Consequently, an indicated connection does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection unless otherwise noted.
  • FIGS. 1A-10E The following list of example features corresponds with FIGS. 1A-10E and is provided for ease of reference, where like reference numerals designate corresponding features throughout the specification and figures:
  • FIGS. 1A and IB illustrate a food container system 5A that has a food container lid 10A and an optional cup 15.
  • the lid 10A has a beverage container coupling structure 25 that removably attaches to a beverage container.
  • the beverage container coupling structure 25 circumscribes a footprint of the lid 30 (shown in shaded Crosshatch).
  • the lid 10A also has a drink-hole surface 35 that is shown in a position above the beverage container coupling structure 25 and an annular surface 40 above the beverage container coupling structure 25 and within the lid footprint 30.
  • the drink hole surface 35 is shown as planar, and the annular surface 40 has an inward jut 41 that allows more space for the drink-hole surface.
  • the drink- hole surface 35 may be formed into and continuous with the annular surface 40.
  • the annular surface 40 may include a rim 42 and a container outer wall 44 extending from the rim 42 to a position lower than the rim 42.
  • the food container coupling structure 45 may be part of the container outer wall 44.
  • a food compartment 50 is formed from a food compartment inner wall 55 extending from the annular surface rim 42 to a position lower than the annular surface rim 42, and a bottom 60 connected to the food compartment inner wall 55.
  • the lid 10A also includes a drink hole 65 extending through the drink-hole surface.
  • the food container system may also include a cup 15 adapted to nest in the food compartment 50, the cup 15 may have a cover 20.
  • the cup 15 may also have a complementary cup coupling structure 75, while the food compartment inner wall 55 may have a cup coupling structure 70 that detachably mates with the complementary cup coupling structure 75, thereby securing the cup 15 in the food compartment 50.
  • the cup 15 is shown to have the cover 20, the cover 20 may be applied directly to the annular surface rim 42, and the cup 15 need not be used.
  • the cover may be a seal-on/peel-off membrane, a hinged cover or a removable/reusable cover.
  • FIG. 1C illustrates the complementary cup coupling structure 75 in greater detail.
  • the cup coupling structure 70 disposed of on the inner wall 55 of the food compartment is a bump that fits into the groove of the complementary cup coupling structure 75, thus securing FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM the cup 15 to the food container lid 10A.
  • the cup coupling structure 70 is illustrated as a bump, it can be a groove or a combination of a bump and groove and the complementary cup coupling structure 75 would have a shape that is complementary to make a secure fit.
  • FIGS. ID through IF illustrate the nesting of the cup 15 in the food container lid 10A.
  • the food container lid 10A may mount to a beverage container 77 via the beverage container coupling structure 25 as shown in FIG. 1G.
  • FIGS. 2A though 21 illustrate a second embodiment of the food container system 5B with a lid 10B similar in many respects to the lid 10A just described. The difference is that the lid 10B shown in FIGS. 2A through 21 has a friction fit with the cup 15, thereby negating the cup coupling structure 70 and the complementary cup coupling structure 75.
  • FIGS. 3A through 3C illustrate a second food container/tray 80A about to be mounted to the food container lid 10A via the food container coupling structure 45.
  • the food container/tray 80A has a complementary food container coupling structure 90 with a an inner wall coupling structure 100 that fits under the food compartment coupling structure 45, thus securely mating the food container/tray 80A to the food container lid 10A.
  • FIGS. 3F and 3G show two food container/trays that may be mounted to the food container lid 10A of FIG. 3A. These food container/trays are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 15/401028 entitled “MOUNT ABLE FOOD CONTAINER” filed on January 7, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
  • FIG. 3G is a bottom perspective view of the food container/tray 80 A shown in FIGS. 3A-3E.
  • the food container/tray 80A features a bottom 85 and the complementary food container coupling structure 90, which extends from the bottom 85 and is comprised of the inner wall 95 with an inner wall coupling structure 100.
  • the food container/tray 80A can also mount to a beverage container, a can, or even a bottle by mating with a compatible coupling structure.
  • the food container lid 10A may have the cup 15 nested in FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM the food compartment 50, and this nesting does not interfere with the food container coupling structure 45, such that the food container/tray 80A may be mounted securely on the food container lid 10A.
  • FIG. 3G illustrates yet another the food container/tray 80B with a complementary food container coupling structure 90 that allows the food container 80B to be mounted on top of the food container lid.
  • the food container/tray 80B can also mount to a beverage container, a can, or even a bottle by mating with a compatible coupling structure.
  • the embodiment shown in FIG. 3G includes the following features: a bottom 85, the side walls 115, strengthening ribs 120, and the complementary food container coupling structure 90, which extends from the bottom 85 and is comprised of the outer wall 105 with an outer wall coupling structure 110 and the inner wall 95 with an inner wall coupling structure 100.
  • the complementary food container coupling structure 90 shown in FIG. 3F mates via the inner wall coupling structure 100 to the food container coupling structure 45 on the food container lid shown in FIG. 3 A.
  • the food container coupling structure 45 may be placed on the near the annular surface rim 42 near the food compartment inner wall 55, much like the cup coupling structure 70.
  • the cup coupling structure 70 could be used as the food container coupling structure 45.
  • the complementary food container coupling structure outer wall coupling structure 110 mates with the food container coupling structure. Such a configuration is shown in FIG. 3H and 31.
  • FIGS. 3 J and 3K illustrate the position of drink/straw hole 65 relative to the mounting of the second food container/tray 80A. Theses figure demonstrate that a user can still access the liquid in the beverage container when the second food container/tray 80A is mounted.
  • the drink/straw hole 65 is placed adjacent to the outer edge of the food container lid 10A, allowing the straw to enter with being obstructed by the second food container/tray 80A.
  • annular surface may be concentric with the lid footprint (see e.g. FIG. 6A-6K, 8A-8K) or non-concentric (see e.g. FIGS. 4A-4K, 5A-5J, and 7A-7K).
  • the food container tray herein may be constructed using a variety of methods, including by non-limiting example thermoformed (thin gauge) and thin wall injection molding.
  • the types of material would be apparent to one of skill in the art and may include by non-limiting example PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), CPET, RPET Polyethylene (HDPE/LDPE), styrene, HIPS, HMWPE, PP/PE blends, custom blends of thermoplastics (which may or may not include post-consumer or post-industrial content) and other proprietary blends of thermoplastics.
  • the materials used may allow for elastic deflection such that the coupling structures disclosed above can deflect when mating to components together and then re-assume their original shape to assist in maintaining a secure fit between the components.

Abstract

A food container system is disclosed that includes a food container lid. The lid has a beverage container coupling structure that removably attaches to a beverage container. The beverage container coupling structure circumscribes a footprint of the lid. The lid also has a drink-hole surface within the lid footprint and an annular surface above the beverage container coupling structure and within the lid footprint. The annular surface is connected to the drink-hole planar surface and includes food container coupling structure that removably attaches to a second food container. A food compartment is formed from a food compartment inner wall extending from the annular surface, and a bottom connected to the food compartment inner wall. The lid also includes a drink hole extending through the drink-hole surface.

Description

FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
1.0 TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to food containers.
2.0 RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application 15/706755 entitled "FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM" filed on September 17, 2017, to U.S. Patent Application 15/700155 entitled "FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM" filed on September 10, 2017, to U.S. Patent Application 29/580613 entitled "BEVERAGE CONTAINER LID" filed on October 11, 2016, and to U.S. Patent Application 29/580615 entitled "BEVERAGE CONTAINER LID" filed on October 11, 2016, the contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.
[0003] This application is also related to U.S. Patent 8596491 entitled "CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" issued on December 3, 2013; U.S. Patent 8695845 entitled "TOP MOUNTING CAN CONTAINER" issued on April 15, 2014; U.S. Patent 8381935 entitled "CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" issued on February 26, 2013; U.S. Patent 8714393 entitled "CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" issued on May 6, 2014; U.S. Patent 8590730 entitled "TOP MOUNTING CAN CONTAINER" issued on November 26, 2013; U.S. Patent 8708181 entitled "LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" issued on April 29, 2014; U.S. Patent 8701914 entitled "TWO-PART RECYCLABLE CUP" issued on April 22, 2014; U.S. Patent Application SN 13/412602 entitled "TOP MOUNTING BOTTLE CONTAINER" filed on March 5, 2012; U.S. Patent Application SN 13/680011 entitled "CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" filed on November 17, 2012; U.S. Patent Application SN 13/680049 entitled "CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" filed on November 17, 2012; U.S. Patent Application SN 13/733153 entitled "CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" filed on January 3, 2013; U.S. Patent Application SN 14/263993 entitled "LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" filed on April 28, 2014; U.S. Patent Application SN 14/269016 entitled "A CONTAINER LID WITH ONE OR MORE CAVITIES" filed on May 2, 2014; U.S. Patent Application SN 14/274576 entitled "A CONTAINER LID FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
WITH A FOOD COMPARTMENT AND A SIP-HOLE" filed on May 9, 2014; U.S. Patent Application SN 14/313907 entitled "A CONTAINER LID SYSTEM WITH A LID PORTION AND FOOD CONTAINER PORTION" filed on June 24, 2014; and U.S. Patent Application SN 62/005862 entitled "A CONTAINER LID SYSTEM WITH A LID PORTION AND FOOD CONTAINER PORTION" filed on May 30, 2014; U.S. Patent Application 29/500266 entitled "BEND ABLE DRINKING STRAW" filed on August 22, 2014; U.S. Patent Application 62/038209 entitled "BEND ABLE SAFETY STRAW" filed on August 16, 2014; U.S. Patent Application 62/105256 entitled "BEND ABLE SAFETY STRAW AND LIDS WITH FOOD COMPARTMENT" filed on January 20, 2015; U.S. Patent Application 62/239483 entitled "FOOD CONTAINER WITH PEEL OFF COVER" filed on October 9, 2015, U.S. Patent Application 14/986703 entitled "CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" filed on January 3, 2016; U.S. Patent Application 15/287697 entitled "FOOD CONTAINER WITH SEAL-ON COVER" filed on October 6, 2016; U.S. Patent Application 15/287700 entitled "PORTABLE PACKAGING SYSTEM" filed on October 6, 2016; and U.S. Patent Application 15/401028 entitled "MOUNT ABLE FOOD CONTAINER" filed on January 7, 2017, all of which are assigned to the same entity as the present application. Each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference.
3.0 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The increased popularity of fast-food establishments, coupled with the popularity of consumption of food and beverages on the go, have led to the need for more convenient takeout packaging.
[0005] Billions of disposable beverage cups are used every year. Often those cups are part of a larger meal, and current technology dictates placing a lid on the beverage cup, and packing the food in a separate and detached container. This may be satisfactory for a consumer seated at a table. However, when the consumer must eat on the go, use of the current technology is problematic. Consider, for example, a consumer who is drinking a beverage and would like to FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM access a breakfast sandwich in a takeout bag. The consumer must set aside the beverage, and then use one hand to hold the bag and the other hand to access the sandwich, then set aside the bag and use both hands to open the sandwich packaging. As shown in this example, current technology does not allow for convenient on-the-go consumption. Standard cup lids are simple covers that do not include an integrated container. Rather, known lids cover the contents of a cup which forms a closed container in combination with the cup itself
[0006] To address some of these problems, yogurt manufacturers have placed a small food container on the lid of a yogurt cup. The food container (often holding nuts or granola) must be removed from the yogurt cup and then flipped over and opened, then the contents are poured into the yogurt cup. It is therefore not possible to simultaneously access the contents of the yogurt cup and the contents of the food container; rather, the food container must be completely disengaged from the cup to access either the contents of the yogurt cup or the contents of the food container. The food container that attaches to the yogurt cup in an upside-down position has a limited food-volume capacity because its walls taper as they proceed upward toward the bottom of the upside-down container. Without this tapering, the yogurt cup/food container complex would become top-heavy and cumbersome.
[0007] Other known devices having a container or shelf combined with a lid have limitations which makes these devices impractical to use. One category of devices includes a container combined with a cup, but utilizes a hole in the middle of the lid. This makes it impossible to store relatively circular items, i.e., non-ring or non-annular items having no central hole, in the container, such as hamburgers, cookies or muffins, for example. Another category of devices includes a container combined with a lid, but does not allow for simultaneous access to the contents of the cup and the container, nor for the container to be resealed or a drop-in container to be removed from the container. Other devices that include drop-in functionality require removal of the container before accessing the contents of the cup. Other devices have relatively small peel containers for pills such as mints and are not suitable for larger food items. FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
[0008] Thus simultaneous or intermittent access to the contents of known cups and the contents of an attached container is not possible. This makes for difficult consumption of coffee, soda, snacks, popcorn, etc., in malls, fast food restaurants, theaters, amusement parks, sports stadiums or in any other venue. For example, this makes it difficult to eat and drink food in a theater or stadium with one cup-holder per seat.
[0009] For at least the limitations described above, there is a need for a cup lid with integrated container that works within a food container system.
4.0 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides an elegant solution to the needs described above and provides numerous additional benefits and advantages as will be apparent to persons of skill in the art. A food container system is disclosed and claimed that includes a food container lid. The lid has a beverage container coupling structure that removably attaches to a beverage container. The beverage container coupling structure circumscribes a footprint of the lid. The lid also has a drink-hole surface within the lid footprint and an annular surface above the beverage container coupling structure and within the lid footprint. The annular surface is connected to the drink-hole planar surface and includes food container coupling structure that removably attaches to a second food container. A food compartment is formed from a food compartment inner wall extending from the annular surface, and a bottom connected to the food compartment inner wall. The lid also includes a drink hole extending through the drink-hole surface.
[0011] The annular surface may include a rim and an annular surface outer wall extending from the rim to a position lower than the rim and the annular surface outer wall outer wall contains the food container coupling structure. The annular surface may be concentric or non-concentric with the lid footprint.
[0012] The food container system may also include a cup adapted to nest in the food container, the cup may have a cover. The cup may also have a cup coupling structure, while the FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM container inner wall may have a complementary cup coupling structure that detachably mates with the cup coupling structure, thereby securing the cup in the food container.
[0013] The food container system may also have a second food container that includes a bottom with a complementary food container coupling structure that detachably mates with the food container coupling structure, thereby securing the cup to the second food container to the food container lid. The complementary food container coupling structure may also have an inner wall with an inner wall coupling structure, and an outer wall with an outer wall coupling structure.
[0014] In a separate embodiment, the food container coupling structure may be located near the annular surface rim on the food compartment inner wall, much like the cup coupling structure. In this configuration, the complementary food container coupling structure outer wall coupling structure 110 mates with the food container coupling structure.
[0015] Additional aspects, alternatives and variations as would be apparent to persons of skill in the art are also disclosed herein and are specifically contemplated as included as part of the invention. The invention is set forth only in the claims as allowed by the patent office in this or related applications, and the following summary descriptions of certain examples are not in any way to limit, define or otherwise establish the scope of legal protection.
5.0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components within the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed on clearly illustrating example aspects of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views and/or embodiments. It will be understood that certain components and details may not appear in the figures to assist in more clearly describing the invention.
[0017] FIG. 1 A illustrates a first embodiment of food container lid.
[0018] FIG. IB illustrates the food container lid of FIG. 1 A. FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
[0019] FIG. 1C is a front view showing the food container lid of FIG. 1A receiving a cup.
[0020] FIG. ID is a side view showing the food container lid of FIG. 1A receiving the cup.
[0021] FIG. IE is a front view showing the food container lid of FIG. 1A with the cup nested therein.
[0022] FIG. IF is a side view showing the food container lid of FIG. 1 A with the cup nested therein
[0023] FIG. 1G is a perspective view showing the food container lid of FIG. 1 A mounted to a beverage container receiving a food container cup.
[0024] FIG. 2A illustrates a second embodiment of food container lid.
[0025] FIG. 2B is a front view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A receiving a cup.
[0026] FIG. 2C is a side view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A receiving the cup.
[0027] FIG. 2D is a front view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A with the cup nested therein.
[0028] FIG. 2E is a side view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A with the cup nested therein
[0029] FIG. 2F is a front view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A receiving a shallow cup.
[0030] FIG. 2G is a side view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A receiving the shallow cup.
[0031] FIG. 2H is a front view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A with the shallow cup nested therein.
[0032] FIG. 21 is a side view showing the food container lid of FIG. 2A with the shallow food nested therein FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
[0033] FIG. 3A illustrates the food container lid receiving a food tray to be mounted thereon.
[0034] FIG. 3B is a front view of the food container lid receiving the food tray to be mounted thereon.
[0035] FIG. 3C is a side view of the food container lid receiving the food tray to be mounted thereon.
[0036] FIG. 3D is a front view of the food container lid with the food tray mounted thereon.
[0037] FIG. 3E is a side view of the food container lid with the food tray mounted thereon.
[0038] FIG. 3F is an isometric bottom view of a first embodiment of a food tray that may be mounted to the food container lid of FIG. 3 A.
[0039] FIG. 3G is an isometric bottom view of a second embodiment of a food tray that may be mounted to the food container lid of FIG. 3 A.
[0040] FIG. 3H illustrates a third embodiment of food container lid.
[0041] FIG. 31 illustrates a detached view of the third embodiment of food container lid shown in FIG 3H.
[0042] FIG. 3J illustrates the lid of FIG. 3 A mounted to a lid and the position of the straw.
[0043] FIG. 3K illustrates the lid of FIG. 3 A mounted to a lid and the position of the straw.
[0044] FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the food container lid.
[0045] FIG. 4B is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A.
[0046] FIG. 4C is a front perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A, shown made of transparent material.
[0047] FIG. 4D is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A, shown made of transparent material FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
[0048] FIG. 4E is a front view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A.
[0049] FIG. 4F is a bottom view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A.
[0050] FIG. 4G is a bottom-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A.
[0051] FIG. 4H is a left-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A.
[0052] FIG. 41 is a top-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A.
[0053] FIG. 4J is a right-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 4A.
[0054] FIG. 4K shows the food container lid of FIG. 4A mounted to a beverage container.
[0055] FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the food container lid.
[0056] FIG. 5B is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
[0057] FIG. 5C is a front view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
[0058] FIG. 5D is a back view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
[0059] FIG. 5E is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
[0060] FIG. 5F is a side perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
[0061] FIG. 5G is a right-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
[0062] FIG. 5H is a left-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
[0063] FIG. 51 is a top-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
[0064] FIG. 5 J is a bottom-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 5 A.
[0065] FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the food container lid.
[0066] FIG. 6B is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A.
[0067] FIG. 6C is a front perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A, shown made of transparent material.
[0068] FIG. 6D is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A, shown made of transparent material
[0069] FIG. 6E is a front view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A.
[0070] FIG. 6F is a bottom view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A.
[0071] FIG. 6G is a bottom-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A. FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
[0072] FIG. 6H is a left-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A.
[0073] FIG. 61 is a top-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A.
[0074] FIG. 6J is a right-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 6A.
[0075] FIG. 6K shows the food container lid of FIG. 6A mounted to a beverage container.
[0076] FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the food container lid.
[0077] FIG. 7B is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A.
[0078] FIG. 7C is a front perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A, shown made of transparent material.
[0079] FIG. 7D is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A, shown made of transparent material
[0080] FIG. 7E is a front view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A.
[0081] FIG. 7F is a bottom view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A.
[0082] FIG. 7G is a bottom-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A.
[0083] FIG. 7H is a left-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A.
[0084] FIG. 71 is a top-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A.
[0085] FIG. 7J is a right-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 7A.
[0086] FIG. 7K shows the food container lid of FIG. 7A mounted to a beverage container.
[0087] FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the food container lid.
[0088] FIG. 8B is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 8 A.
[0089] FIG. 8C is a front perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 8A, shown made of transparent material.
[0090] FIG. 8D is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 8A, shown made of transparent material
[0091] FIG. 8E is a front view of the food container lid of FIG. 8 A.
[0092] FIG. 8F is a bottom view of the food container lid of FIG. 8 A. FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
[0093] FIG. 8G is a bottom-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 8 A.
[0094] FIG. 8H is a left-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 8 A.
[0095] FIG. 81 is a top-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 8 A.
[0096] FIG. 8 J is a right-side view of the food container lid of FIG. 8 A.
[0097] FIG. 8K shows the food container lid of FIG. 8A mounted to a beverage container.
[0098] FIG. 9A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the food container lid.
[0099] FIG. 9B is a side perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 9A.
[00100] FIG. 9C is a side perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 9A.
[00101] FIG. 9D is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 9A.
[00102] FIG. 9E is a side perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 9A.
[00103] FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the food container lid.
[00104] FIG. 10B is a side perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 10A.
[00105] FIG. IOC is a side perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 10A.
[00106] FIG. 10D is a back perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 10A.
[00107] FIG. 10E is a side perspective view of the food container lid of FIG. 10A.
6.0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00108] Reference is made herein to some specific examples of the present invention, including any best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. Examples of these specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying figures. While the invention is described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the described or illustrated embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
[00109] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Particular example embodiments of the present invention may be implemented without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, process operations well known to persons of skill in the art have not been described in detail in order not to obscure unnecessarily the present invention. Various techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be noted that some embodiments include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple mechanisms unless noted otherwise. Similarly, various steps of the methods shown and described herein are not necessarily performed in the order indicated, or performed at all in certain embodiments. Accordingly, some implementations of the methods discussed herein may include more or fewer steps than those shown or described. Further, the techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes describe a connection, relationship or communication between two or more entities. It should be noted that a connection or relationship between entities does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection, as a variety of other entities or processes may reside or occur between any two entities. Consequently, an indicated connection does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection unless otherwise noted.
[00110] The following list of example features corresponds with FIGS. 1A-10E and is provided for ease of reference, where like reference numerals designate corresponding features throughout the specification and figures:
[00111] Food container system (first embodiment) 5A
[00112] Food container system (second embodiment) 5B
[00113] Food container lid (first embodiment) 10A
[00114] Food container lid (second embodiment) 10B
[00115] Cup 15
[00116] Cover 20
[00117] Beverage container coupling structure 25 FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
[00118] Lid footprint 30
[00119] Drink-hole surface 35
[00120] Annular surface 40
[00121] Inward jut 41
[00122] Annular surface rim 42
[00123] Annular surface outer wall 44
[00124] Food container coupling structure 45
[00125] Food compartment 50
[00126] Food compartment inner wall 55
[00127] Food compartment bottom 60
[00128] Drink/straw hole 65
[00129] Cup coupling structure 70
[00130] Complementary cup coupling structure 75
[00131] Beverage container 77
[00132] Second food container/tray (first embodiment) 80A
[00133] Second food container/tray (second embodiment) 80B
[00134] Second food container bottom 85
[00135] Complementary food container coupling structure 90
[00136] Complementary food container coupling structure inner wall 95
[00137] Complementary food container coupling structure inner wall coupling structure 100
[00138] Complementary food container coupling structure outer wall 105
[00139] Complementary food container coupling structure outer wall coupling structure 110
[00140] Second food container side walls 115
[00141] Strengthening ribs 120 FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
[00142] FIGS. 1A and IB illustrate a food container system 5A that has a food container lid 10A and an optional cup 15. The lid 10A has a beverage container coupling structure 25 that removably attaches to a beverage container. The beverage container coupling structure 25 circumscribes a footprint of the lid 30 (shown in shaded Crosshatch). The lid 10A also has a drink-hole surface 35 that is shown in a position above the beverage container coupling structure 25 and an annular surface 40 above the beverage container coupling structure 25 and within the lid footprint 30. The drink hole surface 35 is shown as planar, and the annular surface 40 has an inward jut 41 that allows more space for the drink-hole surface. The drink- hole surface 35 may be formed into and continuous with the annular surface 40.
[00143] The annular surface 40 may include a rim 42 and a container outer wall 44 extending from the rim 42 to a position lower than the rim 42. The food container coupling structure 45 may be part of the container outer wall 44.
[00144] A food compartment 50 is formed from a food compartment inner wall 55 extending from the annular surface rim 42 to a position lower than the annular surface rim 42, and a bottom 60 connected to the food compartment inner wall 55. The lid 10A also includes a drink hole 65 extending through the drink-hole surface.
[00145] The food container system may also include a cup 15 adapted to nest in the food compartment 50, the cup 15 may have a cover 20. The cup 15 may also have a complementary cup coupling structure 75, while the food compartment inner wall 55 may have a cup coupling structure 70 that detachably mates with the complementary cup coupling structure 75, thereby securing the cup 15 in the food compartment 50. While the cup 15 is shown to have the cover 20, the cover 20 may be applied directly to the annular surface rim 42, and the cup 15 need not be used. As non-limiting examples, the cover may be a seal-on/peel-off membrane, a hinged cover or a removable/reusable cover.
[00146] FIG. 1C illustrates the complementary cup coupling structure 75 in greater detail. The cup coupling structure 70 disposed of on the inner wall 55 of the food compartment is a bump that fits into the groove of the complementary cup coupling structure 75, thus securing FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM the cup 15 to the food container lid 10A. While the cup coupling structure 70 is illustrated as a bump, it can be a groove or a combination of a bump and groove and the complementary cup coupling structure 75 would have a shape that is complementary to make a secure fit. FIGS. ID through IF illustrate the nesting of the cup 15 in the food container lid 10A. Finally, the food container lid 10A may mount to a beverage container 77 via the beverage container coupling structure 25 as shown in FIG. 1G.
[00147] FIGS. 2A though 21 illustrate a second embodiment of the food container system 5B with a lid 10B similar in many respects to the lid 10A just described. The difference is that the lid 10B shown in FIGS. 2A through 21 has a friction fit with the cup 15, thereby negating the cup coupling structure 70 and the complementary cup coupling structure 75.
[00148] FIGS. 3A through 3C illustrate a second food container/tray 80A about to be mounted to the food container lid 10A via the food container coupling structure 45. As shown in FIG. 3D, the food container/tray 80A has a complementary food container coupling structure 90 with a an inner wall coupling structure 100 that fits under the food compartment coupling structure 45, thus securely mating the food container/tray 80A to the food container lid 10A.
[00149] FIGS. 3F and 3G show two food container/trays that may be mounted to the food container lid 10A of FIG. 3A. These food container/trays are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 15/401028 entitled "MOUNT ABLE FOOD CONTAINER" filed on January 7, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. FIG. 3G is a bottom perspective view of the food container/tray 80 A shown in FIGS. 3A-3E. The food container/tray 80A features a bottom 85 and the complementary food container coupling structure 90, which extends from the bottom 85 and is comprised of the inner wall 95 with an inner wall coupling structure 100. The complementary food container coupling structure 90 shown in FIG. 3G mates via the inner wall coupling structure 100 to the food container coupling structure 45 on the food container lid 10A as shown in FIGS. 3D and 3E. Preferably, the food container/tray 80A can also mount to a beverage container, a can, or even a bottle by mating with a compatible coupling structure. It should also be noted that the food container lid 10A may have the cup 15 nested in FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM the food compartment 50, and this nesting does not interfere with the food container coupling structure 45, such that the food container/tray 80A may be mounted securely on the food container lid 10A.
[00150] FIG. 3G illustrates yet another the food container/tray 80B with a complementary food container coupling structure 90 that allows the food container 80B to be mounted on top of the food container lid. Preferably, the food container/tray 80B can also mount to a beverage container, a can, or even a bottle by mating with a compatible coupling structure. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3G includes the following features: a bottom 85, the side walls 115, strengthening ribs 120, and the complementary food container coupling structure 90, which extends from the bottom 85 and is comprised of the outer wall 105 with an outer wall coupling structure 110 and the inner wall 95 with an inner wall coupling structure 100. The complementary food container coupling structure 90 shown in FIG. 3F mates via the inner wall coupling structure 100 to the food container coupling structure 45 on the food container lid shown in FIG. 3 A.
[00151] While the food container lids (10A, 10B) illustrate the food container coupling structure 45 on the annular surface outer wall 44, the food container coupling structure 45may be placed on the near the annular surface rim 42 near the food compartment inner wall 55, much like the cup coupling structure 70. Indeed, the cup coupling structure 70 could be used as the food container coupling structure 45. In this configuration, the complementary food container coupling structure outer wall coupling structure 110 mates with the food container coupling structure. Such a configuration is shown in FIG. 3H and 31.
[00152] FIGS. 3 J and 3K illustrate the position of drink/straw hole 65 relative to the mounting of the second food container/tray 80A. Theses figure demonstrate that a user can still access the liquid in the beverage container when the second food container/tray 80A is mounted. The drink/straw hole 65 is placed adjacent to the outer edge of the food container lid 10A, allowing the straw to enter with being obstructed by the second food container/tray 80A. FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
[00153] The teaching and disclosure herein may be used with a variety of food container lids, such as those shown in FIGS. 4 A- 10E. It should be noted that the annular surface may be concentric with the lid footprint (see e.g. FIG. 6A-6K, 8A-8K) or non-concentric (see e.g. FIGS. 4A-4K, 5A-5J, and 7A-7K).
[00154] The food container tray herein may be constructed using a variety of methods, including by non-limiting example thermoformed (thin gauge) and thin wall injection molding. The types of material would be apparent to one of skill in the art and may include by non-limiting example PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), CPET, RPET Polyethylene (HDPE/LDPE), styrene, HIPS, HMWPE, PP/PE blends, custom blends of thermoplastics (which may or may not include post-consumer or post-industrial content) and other proprietary blends of thermoplastics. Further the materials used may allow for elastic deflection such that the coupling structures disclosed above can deflect when mating to components together and then re-assume their original shape to assist in maintaining a secure fit between the components.
[00155] Although exemplary embodiments and applications of the invention have been described herein including as described above and shown in the included example Figures, there is no intention that the invention be limited to these exemplary embodiments and applications or to the manner in which the exemplary embodiments and applications operate or are described herein. Indeed, many variations and modifications to the exemplary embodiments are possible as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The invention may include any device, structure, method, or functionality, as long as the resulting device, system or method falls within the scope of one of the claims that are allowed by the patent office based on this or any related patent application.

Claims

FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
A food container system comprising:
a food container lid comprising:
a beverage container coupling structure adapted to be removably attached to a beverage container, the beverage container coupling structure circumscribes a footprint of the lid;
a drink-hole surface within the lid footprint;
an annular surface above the beverage container coupling structure, within the lid footprint, and connected to the drink-hole surface, the annular surface comprising a food container coupling structure adapted to removably attach to a second food container;
a food compartment comprising a container inner wall extending from the annular surface, and a bottom connected to the container inner wall; and a drink hole for drinking a liquid in the beverage container, extending through the drink-hole surface.
The food container system of claim 1, the annular surface comprising a rim and an annular surface outer wall outer wall extending from the rim to a position lower than the rim, wherein the annular surface outer wall comprises the food container coupling structure.
The food container system of claim 1, further comprising a cover that covers the food container. FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
4. The food container system of claim 1, further comprising a cup adapted to nest in the food compartment.
5. The food container system of claim 4, wherein the cup further comprises a cover.
6. The food container system of claim 4, wherein:
the cup comprises a cup coupling structure; and
the container inner wall comprises a complementary cup coupling structure adapted to detachably mate with the cup coupling structure, thereby securing the cup in the food container.
7. The food container system of claim 1 wherein the annular surface is non-concentric with the lid footprint.
8. The food container system of claim 1, further comprising the second food container, the second food container comprises a bottom, the bottom comprising a complementary food container coupling structure adapted to detachably mate with the food container coupling structure, thereby securing the cup to the second food container to the food container lid.
9. The food container system of claim 8, wherein the complementary food container
coupling structure comprises an inner wall that further comprises an inner wall coupling structure. FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
10. The food container system of claim 9, wherein the inner wall coupling structure mates with the food container coupling structure.
11. The food container system of claim 8, wherein the complementary food container
coupling structure comprises an outer wall that further comprises an outer wall coupling structure.
12. A food container system comprising:
a food container lid comprising:
a beverage container coupling structure adapted to be removably attached to a beverage container, the beverage container coupling structure
circumscribes a footprint of the lid;
a drink-hole surface within the lid footprint;
an annular surface above the beverage container coupling structure, within the lid footprint, and connected to the drink-hole surface;
a food compartment comprising a container inner wall extending from the annular surface, and a bottom connected to the container inner wall, the inner wall comprising a food container coupling structure adapted to removably attach to a second food container; and
a drink hole for drinking a liquid in the beverage container, extending through the drink-hole surface.
13. The food container system of claim 12, further comprising a cover that covers the food container. FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
14. The food container system of claim 12, further comprising a cup adapted to nest in the food compartment.
15. The food container system of claim 14, wherein the cup further comprises a cover.
16. The food container system of claim 14, wherein:
the cup comprises a cup coupling structure; and
the container inner wall comprises a complementary cup coupling structure adapted to detachably mate with the cup coupling structure, thereby securing the cup in the food container.
17. The food container system of claim 12 wherein the annular surface is non-concentric with the lid footprint.
18. The food container system of claim 12, further comprising the second food container, the second food container comprises a bottom, the bottom comprising a complementary food container coupling structure adapted to detachably mate with the food container coupling structure, thereby securing the cup to the second food container to the food container lid.
19. The food container system of claim 18, wherein the complementary food container
coupling structure comprises an inner wall that further comprises an inner wall coupling structure. FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEM
The food container system of claim 18, wherein the complementary food container coupling structure comprises an outer wall that further comprises an outer wall coupling structure.
The food container system of claim 20, wherein the outer wall coupling structure mates with the food container coupling structure.
PCT/US2017/051945 2016-09-16 2017-09-17 Food container system WO2018053376A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201662395911P 2016-09-16 2016-09-16
US62/395,911 2016-09-16
US201662406049P 2016-10-10 2016-10-10
US62/406,049 2016-10-10
US201715700155A 2017-09-10 2017-09-10
US15/700,155 2017-09-10
US15/706,755 2017-09-17
US15/706,755 US10232997B2 (en) 2016-09-16 2017-09-17 Food container system

Publications (1)

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WO2018053376A1 true WO2018053376A1 (en) 2018-03-22

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