Patent ID: 9592951
Date: 2017-03-14
CPC Classifications: B65B,B65D

Claim:
1. In combination, a container and a plurality of food items nested within the container, the combination comprising: a) a base having a base peripheral edge; b) at least a first cavity and a second cavity in the base to receive respective ones of the food items, the first cavity comprising a first inner surface extending along a first cavity axis generally terminating in a first cavity rim and the second cavity comprising a second inner surface extending along a second cavity axis and generally terminating in a second cavity rim; c) a first food item nested in the first cavity, the first food item comprising a first outer surface supported by the first inner surface of the first cavity and a first upper surface, the first upper surface having a first decorated section at least partially bounded by a first food item undecorated peripheral section; d) a second food item nested in the second cavity, the second food item having a second outer surface supported by the second inner surface of the second cavity and a second upper surface, the second upper surface having a second decorated section at least partially bounded by a second food item undecorated peripheral section; e) a lid having a lid peripheral edge and a substantially planar, upper lid surface connected about a perimeter thereof to the lid peripheral edge by a generally vertical lid sidewall, the lid being movable between a closed position, in which the lid peripheral edge is engaged with the base peripheral edge and the upper lid surface covers at least a portion of the first cavity, the second cavity, and an intermediate portion of the base extending laterally between the first and second cavities, and an open position in which the lid peripheral edge and base peripheral edge are disengaged to allow access to the food items; f) at least a first retaining protrusion extending downwardly from the upper lid surface when the lid is in the closed position, the retaining protrusion having a distal end spaced apart from the upper lid surface; g) the retaining protrusion including a protrusion first retainer adjacent the distal end of the retaining protrusion, wherein when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion first retainer is proximate the upper surface of the first food item and overlies a first portion of the first food item undecorated peripheral section to inhibit relative axial movement between the first food item and the first cavity to retain the first food item within the first cavity without damaging the first decorated section when the container is inverted; and h) the retaining protrusion including a protrusion second retainer adjacent the distal end of the retaining protrusion, wherein when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion second retainer is proximate the upper surface of the second food item and overlies a first portion of the second food item undecorated peripheral section to inhibit relative axial movement between the second food item and the second cavity to retain the second food item within the second cavity without damaging the second decorated section when the container is inverted.