Ovoid container for condiments

An ovoid container which has two concave halves each with an open end and a closed end. As the open ends of the two halves are connected, the closed container takes on an egg or ovoid shape. The open ends are connected by combining an annular rib of one open end with an annular groove of the other open end. The two closed ends of the concave halves are joined by a press fit of protruding stubs from one closed end into corresponding depressions of the other closed end to form an egg cup that can also be used in a container for collecting eggs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention is related to an ovoid container for condiments. 
2. Description of Background and Relevant Information 
An ovoid container is adapted to contain condiments for egg-based dishes, 
or of any other food, and has the special characteristic of being 
transformed into an egg cup. In view of its forms and dimensions which are 
identical to those of a hen's egg, the invention can find its place in a 
container for packing eggs. 
The devices that have been manufactured up until now are cup-shaped 
containers closed by a cap, most often integrated into the container for 
eggs, and necessitating a special manufacturing process for the cap. The 
cup can contain only one type of product which limits the possible 
application. 
Egg-shaped containers are known in the art. German patent publication 
DE-C825,894 is related to a container adapted to contain and protect an 
egg, and can be transformed into an egg cup by assembling two sets of 
threads. It is provided with an external container equipped with a screwed 
cork and is able to contain a condiment. 
French patent publication FR-A-2,125,815 is related to a system enabling 
the assembly, with the help of a third element, of two hollow elements 
having any shape, including an ovoid shape. These devices have complex 
assembling means that necessitate complex manufacturing processes. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The device according to the present invention eliminates these 
disadvantages. The device is comprised of two completely separate 
compartments, each closed by a separate cap, and which can contain a 
different product. The ovoid shape enables it to be placed in any type of 
container for eggs, without having to be subject to modification, and 
thus, facilitates the mechanization of processing on production chains. 
The option of transforming the ovoid container into an egg cup is an 
important commercial attraction. 
It is comprised of a combination of two concave elements that can be 
assembled to form an egg-shaped container. The ovoid container may be made 
of a thin, possibly transparent plastic or an edible material. One of the 
elements forming the cover comprises an annular groove mounted with a 
force fit onto a corresponding annular rib of the other element to seal 
the container for the purpose of preserving the condiments. 
Each of the condiments contained in the ovoid container can be enclosed in 
a bag which prevents the evaporation of aroma and the penetration of 
humidity. 
Each of the two concave elements has a sealing cap forming an individual 
compartment, each of which can contain a different condiment. The sealing 
cap of the element forming the cover is recessed in order that the two 
elements can be assembled. A means is provided for enabling the bases of 
the two above-mentioned elements to be connected to form an egg cup, the 
cover acting as a base, the assembly means being able to be constituted by 
at least one stub being force-fitted in at least one depression or, 
alternatively, by the association of a circular groove that can be snapped 
onto a rib provided on the base of the other element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
FIG. 1 is a side view of an ovoid container in the assembled form. A first 
concave element 1 is connected to a second concave element 2 by means of 
an internal annular groove 3 integral to the plane of the opening of the 
first concave element 1, and an annular rib 4 integral to the plane of the 
opening of the second concave element 2. On the base of the second concave 
element 2 are three protruding stubs 7. First concave element 1 has 
external surfaces 9 and second concave element 2 has external surface 10. 
FIG. 2 is a plan view of first concave element 1 showing internal annular 
groove 3 and three receptor depressions 8 on the curved end of first 
concave element 1. 
FIG. 3 is a transverse section showing first concave element 1 in reverse 
connection to second concave element 2 by means of protruding stubs 7 into 
receptor depressions 8 to form an egg cup. Annular groove 3 is at the 
plane of the opening and integral to first concave element 1, and annular 
rib 4 is at the plane of the opening and integral to second concave 
element 2. 
FIG. 4 is a side view showing first concave element 1 with a recessed cap 5 
at the plane of the opening of first concave element 1 as a means to seal 
a first compartment formed by external surfaces 9, and the second concave 
element 2 with a surface cap 6 at the plane of the opening of second 
concave element 2 as a means to seal a second compartment formed by 
external surface 10. 
The base of the element 2 comprises three projecting stubs 7 that can be 
force-fitted into three corresponding depressions 8, provided on the top 
of element 1, enabling, after use of the condiments, to make an egg cup, 
the cover acting as a base, as shown in FIG. 4. 
The materials from which the ovoid container are made comprise a thin 
semi-rigid plastic material, which could be transparent and, 
alternatively, any suitable edible material. The two compartments formed 
by the ovoid container can be used to store different condiments 
separately and the different condiments can be enclosed in bags 11 and 12, 
schematically shown in dotted lines in first and second elements, 
respectively, to preserve the aroma and prevent exposure to humidity. 
The external surfaces 9, 10 of the container formed by connecting first and 
second elements 1, 2 may be used for logos or advertising messages and 
images. 
In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, instead of the 
aforementioned stubs and depressions, the first concave element 1', shown 
in FIG. 6, can have a circular groove 8' located at its end, whereas the 
second concave element 2', shown in FIG. 5, can have a corresponding rib 
7' located on its base. In this manner, the cirular groove 8' can be 
snapped onto the rib 7' to form an egg cup, as shown in FIG. 3. 
By virtue of its attractiveness to clients, the device as described is 
particularly well adapted for the manufacture of containers of eggs 
integrating condiments that enable different dishes to be prepared, such 
as omelets, custards, and is especially adapted for sale in larger 
supermarkets. 
The location of the different elements allows this device to have a maximum 
number of uses that have not yet been available until now, by similar 
devices.