Abstract:
A multiple cup container device for separately storing two consumables to be later consumed together, has a first cup for storing a first consumable and a second cup for storing a second consumable. Each cup has a flange about its open end. The first cup&#39;s flange has a recess therein within which the second cup flange is nested. The nested flanges provide a continuous flat surface there across without any gaps between the flanges. A removable cover seals the container device and removably secures the second cup within the first cup. After removal of the cover, the second cup can be removed from the first cup. The second consumable may then be dispensed within the first cup to allow both consumables to be consumed from the first cup.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to a container device having two containers for separately containing two consumables therein, wherein one container is removable from the other container to allow the dispensing of its contents into the other container for mixing with the other consumable and to thereafter provide a container from which the consumables can be consumed.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     It is increasingly common for foods to be purchased in containers from grocery stores, convenience stores and fast food outlets in packages that also act as the container from which the foods are consumed. As a result of this general trend, a particular need exists for multiple compartment containers that allow the packaging of two consumables which are intended to be consumed together, but cannot be packaged together in direct contact with each other, because to do so would compromise the freshness, crispness or texture of one or both of the consumables.  
         [0005]     The need also exists for a multiple compartment container which is easy to grip, provides a space convenient for mixing the consumables together without spilling, and is convenient to eat from once the consumables are mixed together. Moreover, such a container needs to be relatively compact, attractive, simple and inexpensive to manufacture. A further need of the multiple compartment container is that it must be capable of efficient filling of each of the separate consumables during mass processing, and thereafter be provided with a reliable and secure seal to close the container.  
         [0006]     A need exists for a multiple container device wherein the containers are positioned together in a manner which does not create any voids or crevices into which food or foreign products might enter. When this occurs, it results not only in an unsightly appearance, but also presents the possibility of the development an unhealthy or unsanitary condition.  
         [0007]     A number of multiple container packages have been disclosed in the prior art, each with its own particular short comings. For example, YoFarm Co., of Naugatuck, Conn., has a yogurt and granola combination separately contained and sold in one package. The package has two separate containers stacked in a piggy back arrangement. The yogurt is filled in a lower plastic container and the granola is packaged in a separate second plastic container. The granola container is removably mounted on top of, and outside of, the lower yogurt container. Such a container device has at least two drawbacks. First the piggy back arrangement adds to the overall height of the container, and thus the container takes up additional space during shipping and storage. Secondly, the lower container, when filled with yogurt, may lack adequate head space above the yogurt packaged therein to minimize spilling when the granola is dispensed by the consumer into the lower container. The possibility of spillage is also an issue when the yogurt granola combination is later consumed from the container.  
         [0008]     Other examples of multiple container packages are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,237,610 and 3,349,941. U.S. Pat. No. 2,237,610 discloses an upper container for holding cream, with the upper container being removably mounted within a larger lower container for holding cream cheese. U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,941 discloses an upper container suitable for storing fresh fruit and removably mounted within a larger lower container suitable for storing cottage cheese. Neither of these patents however, provides a lower container which has two distinct compartments in which the lower container has a significantly reduced diameter lower compartment for the purpose of allowing the container to be conveniently gripped during the consumption of its contents. They also do not provide a container having an upper compartment of increased diameter relative to the lower compartment for conveniently receiving and mixing the food product from the removed upper container. Also, those container devices do not provide an upper container that nests within the uppermost top surface of the rim of a bottom container, with a single cover that contacts and seals both the bottom and top containers.  
         [0009]     The need exists for a multiple container device for storing two consumables that is convenient to grip and minimizes spilling when the two consumables are combined and consumed from the container device. The multiple container device also needs to have one container removably secured to the other container in a manner which does not create voids or crevices in places that might allow unwanted food or foreign products to accumulate.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     In accordance with the one aspect of the present invention, a container device is provided which has a bottom cup for storing a first consumable and a top cup for storing a second consumable. The bottom cup has a lower compartment and an upper compartment. The lower compartment of the bottom cup has an outer periphery of a diameter which allows convenient and sure gripping within the hand of a typical consumer. The lower compartment also provides a chamber for storing the first consumable, while the upper compartment provides a space for the removable mounting of the top cup within the bottom cup. After removal of the top cup, the upper compartment provides a space into which the second consumable can be dispensed to rest above the first consumable in the lower compartment. The upper compartment is provided with an increased diameter relative to the lower compartment to provide a chamber in which the second consumable can be conveniently dispensed and mixed with the first consumable, and to reduce the chance of spilling. Also, the increased diameter of the upper compartment provides a more convenient space from which the mixed consumables may be accessed by the consumer. It also reduces the likelihood of spilling when the contents are eaten with a spoon since the increased diameter allows the spoon to be removed at a more shallow angle from the lower cup.  
         [0011]     In another aspect of the present invention the lower cup is provided with a flanged rim at its open end which has an annular recess therein, and the top cup is provided with an annular flange formed about its open end. The top cup flange is positioned within the recess of the lower cup flange to removably mount the top cup within the bottom cup. The annular flange of the top cup is formed of a diameter and thickness that closely matches the diameter and depth of the bottom cup&#39;s annular recess to provide a continuous flat surface across the top of the flanges. This allows for effective mounting of the container&#39;s cover which to seals the bottom and top cups, while also removably securing the top cup within the bottom cup. Moreover, by closely matching the size and shape of the top cup flange and bottom cup flange recess, no voids or crevices occur between the mating surfaces which could allow entrance therein of food particles during the filling of a food product by the manufacturer. If this did occur, the food products trapped in the container would likely be spilled out when the top cup is removed from the lower container. Such voids and crevices, if present, also would increase the opportunity for foreign particles to lodge therein, resulting in an increased possibility that unsanitary or unhealthy conditions might occur. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the container device, showing in broken lines the cover of the container device.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a separated top cup and bottom cup.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the lower cup.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a vertical sectional view of on line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 a  container device, generally indicated as  10 , has an upper or top cup  12 , nested within a lower or bottom cup  14 . A top or cover  16  closes and seals container device  10 . Cups  12  and  14  may be formed from a variety of known materials and in a number of known ways, but preferably are thermoformed of a plastic material, such as polypropylene, polyester or polystyrene, and cover  16  is preferably formed of a thin flexible plastic material, for example, a lamination of polypropylene or polyester with or without metallization, and a suitable heat-sealable layer.  
         [0017]     Bottom cup  14  has sidewall  18  with an integrally formed bottom end  20 , and an annular flange  22  at its top end  24 . Flange  22  defines opening  26  providing access to the hollow interior of container device  10 . As best seen in  FIG. 4 , sidewall  18  has a lower section  28  of a generally frusta-conical shape, and an upper section  30 , also is of a generally frusta-conical shape. The lower section  28  of sidewall  18  transitions in into upper section  30  at shoulder, or flange  32 , radially extending outward from top end  34  of lower section  28  of sidewall  18  to the bottom end  36  of the upper sidewall section  30 .  
         [0018]     Top cup  12  has a sidewall  38  and is closed at the bottom end by an integrally formed bottom  40  providing top cup  12  with an inverted dome shape. On the top end of sidewall  38  there appears an annular flange  42 . Annular flange  42  of top cup  12  has a generally flat top surface  44 , a generally flat bottom surface  46 , and a generally vertical outer peripheral edge  48 . Flange  22  of bottom cup  14  has a top surface  50  and a bottom surface  52 , and formed within the innermost region of flange  22  is an annular recess  54 .  
         [0019]     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , annular recess  54  has a general flat bottom surface  56 , and a generally vertical and generally flat edge wall  58 . It is noted that annual flange  42  of the cup  12  is formed to have an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the diameter of recess  54  at vertical edge  58  of annual recess  54 . Also, the thickness of top cup flange  42  is approximately the same as the thickness of the depth of bottom cup flange recess  54 . Thus, it can be appreciated that when top cup  12  is nested within bottom cup  14 , outer vertical edge  48  of top cup flange  42  abuts against the inner vertical edge  58  of recess  54  in bottom cup flange  22 . Also, since the thicknesses of top cup flange  42  and bottom cup annular recess  54  are substantially the same, the top surfaces  44  and  50  of flanges  42  and  22 , respectively, provide a continuous flat surface across the top surface of container device  10 .  
         [0020]     Thus, when cups  12  and  14  are nested together there are no voids or open spaces along the top surface of container device  10  into which food particles might enter upon the filling or packaging processes, especially as may occur during the filling of top cup  12 . Moreover, it is noted that when cups  12 ,  14  are nested, the continuous level top surfaces  44 ,  50  of flanges  42  and  50 , respectively, is advantageous for attaching and sealing container cover  16  to surfaces  40 , 50 . The flat continuous surface also reduces the possibility that thin cover  16  might be punctured at the juncture of flange edges  48 ,  58  during shipping and handling of container device  10 .  
         [0021]     While container  10  may be utilized for a variety of applications, it is especially adaptable for the packaging of two separate food products which are to be packaged separately in a single container device  10 , and that are intended for later combining and consumption from within container  10 . For purposes of illustration, container  10  is described as packaging a yogurt as a first consumable  76  contained in bottom cup  14 , and granola flakes as a second consumable  78  separately contained in top cup  12 .  
         [0022]     Before further discussing utilization of container  10 , it is noted that container  10  provides, in effect, three distinct compartments or chambers. Lower cup  14  has a lower compartment  60  defined by the inner surface  62  of sidewall lower section  28 , and by the inner surface  64  of bottom end  20 . Bottom cup  14  also has an upper compartment  66  defined by the inner surfaces  68  of upper sidewall section  30  and by the inner surface  69  of annular flange  32 . Lower compartment  60  is open at its top end adjacent to the bottom end opening of upper compartment  66 . Upper compartment  66  is also open to the exterior through top opening  26 . A third compartment  70  is provided for container  10  by top cup  12 , and is defined by the inner surface  72  of top cup bottom wall  40  and the inner surfaces  74  of the top cup sidewall  38 . Prior to attachment of cover  16 , compartment  70  is open to the exterior at opening  80 .  
         [0023]     In the packaging process, an empty bottom cup  14  is positioned at a typical filling station (not shown), such as that is known in the art. At the station, bottom cup  14  is filled with yogurt  76  to substantially fill the bottom cup lower compartment  60 . Normally, yogurt  76  would not be filled to a level which would extend into lower cup upper compartment  66 . After the filling of the yogurt  76 , top cup  12  is positioned within the upper compartment  66  of bottom cup  14  with flange  42  nested within annular recess  54 . This may be accomplished at the same filling station, or at another station to which the bottom cup  14  has been transported.  
         [0024]     In any event, when top cup  12  is positioned on bottom cup  14 , top cup  12  acts to seal opening  26  and thus also seals lower compartment  60  containing the previously filled yogurt  76 . At this point, the container device  10  is ready for filling with a second consumable  78  such as granola flakes  78 . After filling, foil top cover  16  is positioned over the top surfaces  42 ,  50 , of flanges  22  and  42 , respectively, and sealed thereto by any suitable means known in the art, such as, for example, by adhesive. Once so positioned, top  16  seals top opening  57  of top cup  12  and also acts to further seal bottom cup opening  26 , as well as to removably secure top cup  12  within bottom cup  14 . The filling of top cup  12 , and securing of cover  16 , may take place at separate stations dedicated for those processes, with container device  10  being transported between such stations. Thus, yogurt  76  and granola  78  can be separately packaged in a single container device  10  to maintain freshness and crispness of those products until later consumption together.  
         [0025]     At the time for consumption, a consumer removes foil cover  16  by gripping flap  82 , shown in  FIG. 1 , to peel cover  16  away from flanges  22  and  42 . Thereafter, top cup  12  is removed from its position within bottom cup  14 . To aid this procedure, top cup  12  may be provided with a removal aid (not shown), which may be, for example, a pull tab secured to top cup  12 , or a depression or cut-out section formed within top cup sidewall  38  to better provide a grip for the removal of top cup  12 . Once so removed, the consumer dispenses granola  78  into container  10  through opening  26  into upper compartment  66  of bottom cup  14  to contact yogurt  76 .  
         [0026]     The novel container  10  of the present invention has been designed with a number of user friendly features. First, the lower section sidewall  28  of bottom cup  14  has a periphery which is of a shape and size which may be conveniently gripped in the hand of a wide range of consumers. Also, the upper compartment  66  of bottom container  14  is of an increased cross sectional area relative to lower compartment  60 . Whereas, the outer peripheral size of bottom compartment  66  is designed with the ability to grip in mind, the larger diameter size of upper compartment  66  is designed for the easy dispensing of second consumable  78  into lower cup  14 , and for also providing an increased diameter area for conveniently mixing consumables  76  and  78  together by means of a spoon (not shown), or other suitable utensil. In this regard, the increased diameter of opening  26  for upper compartment  66 , relative to the diameter of opening  82  for lower compartment  60 , also provides more room for the entrance of a spoon or other utensil used to consume the food products. It also provides a more convenient space to initially scoop the consumables from the container  10 .  
         [0027]     Stated another way, an advantage of the increased diameter upper compartment  66  relates to the angle at which a spoon needs to be disposed to initially scoop a consumable from container  10 . Generally speaking, the more narrow a container, the steeper the angle at which a spoon needs to be positioned to gain access to the food stored therein. For example, a bowl shaped container allows a shallow angle for scooping food therefrom, while on the other extreme, a more narrow “test tube” like shaped container would require a relatively steep angle. One problem with a steeper angle is that the product scooped by a spoon is more likely to spill from the spoon if the user withdraws the spoon at a steep angle. A consumer may attempt to compensate for this effect by tilting the container as the consumer scoops food content from within the container. A tilted container however, is more likely to cause spilling of the contents, especially initially when the container is more fully filled with food product.  
         [0028]     The present invention, with an increased diameter upper compartment, allows for a more shallow angle for initially scooping food products. Furthermore, as the volume of food content is reduced, the consumer may tilt the container to scoop the remaining contents from within container  10 , with the increased head space of the larger diameter top compartment  66  acting to prevent spilling of the contents from container  10 . Moreover, the above advantage is accomplished without increasing the diameter of lower section  28  to a point where the ease of gripping the container would be compromised.  
         [0029]     Another advantage of container device  10  of the present invention lies in the fact that the increased diameter upper compartment  66  of bottom cup  12  provides an illusion of greater volume for the container overall. This aids the manufacturer in marketing its product, and aids a diet conscious consumer by providing a serving portion which appears larger than it actually is.  
         [0030]     While the present invention has been described in conjunction with a yogurt and granola combination, the container may be used with countless other combinations. It may also have more than one consumable placed in an individual compartment, either in a layered arrangement or mixed together, as long as those consumables can be compatibly stored together. Moreover, the consumable need not be limited to edible consumables, and other types of materials may be advantageously stored in container device  10 . Also, other shapes maybe employed for the cups rather than the inverted domed shape shown for top cup  12  and the frusta-conical shaped compartments of the bottom cup  14 .  
         [0031]     Where used in the various figures of the drawing, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” “height,” “width,” “length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.  
         [0032]     Modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments nor to the theoretical description disclosed, but is intended to cover all modifications that are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.