Abstract:
A container assembly for holding, shipping, and consuming a product, such as a frozen confection, is provided. The container assembly includes a container, a lid, and a utensil. The utensil is connected to the assembly so that a consumer is able to spoon the product from the container. A consumer may purchase the assembly containing a product, open the container, remove the utensil, and consume the product using the self-contained utensil. The assembly may also include a membrane for ensuring freshness and to indicate tampering of the product. The utensil may be attached directly to the lid, or in a pocket between sealed membranes.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to an improved container. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a container for holding, shipping, and storing a product, such as a frozen confection, and an integrated utensil for use with consuming the product. However, other products besides a frozen confection may be held, stored, and shipped in the container. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Product, such as a frozen confection and including ice cream, can be packed, stored, and shipped in many forms of containers. Many containers are sized to hold enough product for providing multiple servings for several people. However, it is sometimes desirable to provide a container having a fewer number of servings, and even a single serving of a product, such as ice cream. These containers are often referred to as personal size or single serving containers. 
         [0003]    Personal size or personal serving containers have many advantages. The containers generally contain a proportioned amount of product sufficient to satisfy one consumer during one consumption. The containers fit people&#39;s on the go lifestyles, consist of little to no waste, and are generally easy to use. However, problems still remain with many of the containers. For instance, many of the containers do not include a utensil, such as a spoon, with the container. The consumer would have to have access, or remember a spoon to actually consume the product. This can be bothersome when the consumer may decide on a whim to purchase the product and not have access to any utensils. 
         [0004]    Problems also exist for product containers that do include a utensil. For instance, the utensils are undersized, under designed and inadequate for eating a frozen product, such as ice cream. To incorporate a utensil into a container or lid, many manufacturers add additional room and/or ridges to their containers, which can substantially add to the amount of product needed to manufacture each container. The additional material is expensive, especially in the case of high production volumes. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a need in the art for a container that includes a utensil, such as a spoon for eating product, such as ice cream, that overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art. There is also a need for a personal-sized container and spoon combination to allow an individual to consume product anywhere and anytime, and while on the go. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is therefore a primary object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide an improved container that overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art. 
         [0007]    It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide an improved container that includes a utensil in a lid without adding a substantial amount of material for production of the product. 
         [0008]    It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide an improved container equipped with tamper proof evidenced features. 
         [0009]    It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide an improved container that includes a sufficiently rigid utensil for removing frozen product from the container. 
         [0010]    It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide an improved container that is sized to hold a single serving of product. 
         [0011]    It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide an improved container that includes features shaped to coincide and accent with the size, shape, color combinations, texture, and graphics of the product packaging of the container. 
         [0012]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. The present invention is not to be limited to or by these objects, features and advantages, and no single embodiment need exhibit every object, feature, and advantage. 
         [0013]    According to one aspect of the present invention a lid and utensil assembly is provided. The assembly includes a lid and a one-piece rigid utensil. The lid has a continuous inner wall, a side wall formed around and extending generally perpendicularly from the inner wall, a non-continuous seal rib formed on the interior of the side wall and extending around the periphery of the side wall forming one or more vents, and an attachment member extending downwardly from the inner wall and including a lip surrounding a distal end of the attachment member. The utensil has a cup-shaped portion and a handle, the cup-shaped portion having a convex side, a plurality of strengthening ribs extending from the convex side of the cup-shaped portion substantially the length of the handle, and an aperture through the handle. The attachment member of the lid is adapted to engage the aperture such that the utensil is selectively secured to and removed from the lid. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a container, lid, and utensil assembly is provided. The assembly includes a container, a lid, and a one-piece rigid utensil. The container has a base, an integral sidewall extending upward from the base and forming a continuous sidewall around the base, an upper seal rim at an upper portion of the sidewall for engaging a lid, and a container skirt around an outside portion of the sidewall between the sidewall and the upper seal rim. The lid has a continuous inner wall, a side wall formed around and extending generally perpendicularly from the inner wall, a non-continuous seal rib formed on the interior of the side wall and extending around the periphery of the side wall forming one or more vents and adapted to engage the upper seal rim of the container, and an attachment member extending downwardly from the inner wall and including a lip surrounding a distal end of the attachment member. The utensil has a cup-shaped portion and a handle, the cup-shaped portion having a convex side, a plurality of strengthening ribs extending from the convex side of the cup-shaped portion substantially the length of the handle, and a utensil aperture through the handle. The attachment member of the lid is adapted to engage the aperture such that the utensil is selectively secured to and removed from the lid. 
         [0015]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a container, lid, and utensil assembly is provided. The assembly includes a container, a lid, a heat-sealed pouch, and a one-piece rigid utensil. The container has a base, an integral sidewall extending upward from the base and forming a continuous sidewall around the base, an upper seal rim at an upper portion of the sidewall for engaging a lid, and a container skirt around an outside portion of the sidewall between the sidewall and the upper seal rim. The lid has a continuous inner wall, a side wall formed around and extending generally perpendicularly from the inner wall, a non-continuous seal rib formed on the interior of the side wall around the periphery of the side wall forming one or more vents and adapted to engage the upper seal rim of the container. The pouch is attached to the upper seal rim of the container, the pouch comprising a first membrane continuously attached to the upper seam rim, and a second membrane connected to the first membrane to create a pocket between the first and second membranes. The one-piece rigid utensil has a cup-shaped portion and a handle, the cup-shaped portion having a convex side, a plurality of strengthening ribs extending from the convex side of the cup-shaped portion substantially the length of the handle, with the utensil positioned in the pocket between the first and second membranes of the heat-sealed pouch. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a container and lid of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a front view of the container and lid of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  is a front view of the container without the lid. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the container and lid of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the container and lid of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a top view of one embodiment of the container of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the container according to line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a portion of the container of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a lid of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the lid of  FIG. 8  with a utensil attached. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the lid of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a front sectional view of the lid of  FIG. 10  along line  11 - 11 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a side sectional view of the lid of  FIG. 10  along line  12 - 12 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of a section of the lid of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a utensil according to the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a bottom perspective view of the utensil of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is top view of the utensil of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is a front view of the utensil of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  is a bottom view of the utensil of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 19  is a sectional view of the utensil of  FIG. 14  along line  19 - 19 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 20  is a front view of one embodiment of a container according to the present invention and including a pouch holding a utensil. 
           [0037]      FIG. 21  is a top view of the container of  FIG. 20 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 22  is a sectional view of the container of  FIG. 21  along line  22 - 22 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0039]      FIGS. 1-19  show an embodiment of a container, lid, and utensil assembly  10  of the present invention. The assembly  10  includes a container  12 , a lid  42 , and a utensil  60  in connection with one another. It is preferred that the container  12 , lid  42 , and utensil  60  be made of food grade polypropylene, however, any other type of food grade material can be used with this invention. The container is a personal size container to aid in a person&#39;s on-the-go lifestyle. Because of the size and design of the container, it can be used more than once, which allows for little to no waste. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 1-4  show views of the assembly  10  with the lid  42  connected to the container  12 . The utensil  60  is connected within the container/lid assembly, and is out of sight when the lid and container are connected. The container  12  includes a base  14 . A sidewall  16  extends upward from the base  14  and around the base, thereby creating a product holding portion of the container  12 . While the sidewall  16  can take any shape, the assembly  10  is generally oval shaped, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The oval shape allows for easier removal of contents from within product holding portion of the container  12 . Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 4 , the sidewall  16  of the container is slightly tapered. The taper of the sidewall allows for ease of molding the container  12 , removing the entirety of the product, as well as stacking or nesting empty containers. As will be mentioned below, the lid  42  includes similarly tapered sides to allow for the same stacking or nesting of lids while not in use or during storage. 
         [0041]    FIGS.  2 B and  5 - 7  show the container  12  without the lid  42  attached thereto. In addition to the base  14  and sidewall  16 , the container  12  includes an upper seal rim  18  located at an upper portion of the sidewall, and a container skirt  20  positioned between the sidewall  16  and the upper seal rim  18 . Both the upper seal rim  18  and the container skirt continuously surround the sidewall  16  of the container  12 . However, it should be noted that the container skirt  20  does include an arcuate-shaped cutout  22  at the front and back sides of the container  12 . The arcuate-shaped cutout  22  extends through the entirety of the container skirt  20 . The cutout  22  is designed to match and accent the size, shape, color combinations, contour, texture, and other graphics of product packaging (not shown) on the sidewall  16  of the container  12 . For instance, when the container  12  is used to hold a frozen confection, such as ice cream, the cutout  22  may be designed to match the size and shape of a scoop of ice cream, which may be shown on the product packaging for the container  12 . The cutout  22  and other features may be used to accentuate the features of the contents of the container, as well as to enhance the trade dress of the container  12 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 2B  shows an embodiment of the container  12  including a membrane  26  attached to the upper seal rim  18 . The membrane  26  is connected to the container  12  to ensure that the product or contents of the container stay fresh, as well as to allow a consumer to know if the container has been tampered with in some manner. The membrane may be a wax-coated foil material and is attached to the upper seal rim  18  by a glue or other adhesive, by heat sealing, or by another manner that will not affect the contents of the container, while also sealing the membrane  26  to the container  12 . Furthermore, the membrane  26  includes a plurality of tabs  28  spaced around the peripheral edge of the membrane. The tabs  28  allow a consumer to remove the membrane  26  by pulling on the tabs away from the container  12 . Therefore, it should also be noted that the membrane  26  is frangibly connected to the container  12  such that the connection may be broken without the need of substantial force. For example, the membrane may be a peel-off or tear-away membrane that is easily removable from the container. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the upper seal rim  18  of the container comprises a surface  30  that is substantially planar. The surface  30  allows an abutment with the lid  42  such that the surface does not allow the contents of the container  12  to be able to spill over the upper seal rim  18  and down the sidewall  16 .  FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the container  12  of  FIG. 5  taken along line  6 - 6 .  FIG. 6  shows a fill line  34  generally set below the surface  30 . Filling the container  12  to a fill line  34  below the surface  30  or top of the upper seal rim  18  allows the contents to slightly expand without damaging the container  12  or spoiling the contents. This is important when the filled containers are shipped to areas with either greater or less atmospheric pressure, which can cause the contents to expand or shrink.  FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a portion of the section of the container  12  of  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 7  shows an area of the upper portion of the container, showing the container skirt  20  and the upper seal rim  18 . The figure also shows how both the sidewall  16  and the container skirt  20  are tapered, or slightly sloped, as mentioned above.  FIG. 7  shows how the upper seal rim  18  includes both the substantially planar top surface  30 , as well as a container lip  32  extending generally downward from the surface  30 . The container lip  32  surrounds the full periphery of the container  12 , and connects and holds the lid  42  to the container  12 . It should be noted, however, that the lip  32  does not extend below the container skirt  20  or the container cutout  22  so that it will not block the product packaging of the container  12 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 8-13  show various views of a preferred embodiment of a lid  42  of the present invention.  FIGS. 8 and 9  are top and bottom perspective views of the lid and utensil assembly  40 . The lid  42  is comprised of an inner wall  44  being generally oval shaped. However, it should be noted that the shape of the inner wall does not have to be oval, but it should match the shape of the base  14  of the container  12 . A side wall  46  extends generally downward from the inner wall  44 . It may be preferred to also extend the skirt  46  slightly upward from the inner wall  44  to allow for easier stacking of lids. Additionally, while the skirt  46  extends generally downward, it will also extend slightly outwardly from the inner wall  44  such that lids are to be more easily molded and stacked. The side wall  46  extends completely around the inner wall  44 , however. In a preferred embodiment, a lid skirt  58  will extend generally downwardly and slightly outwardly from the side wall  46 . The lid skirt  58  is extended away from the inner wall  44  to aid in molding and stacking of lids. The inner wall  44 , side wall  46 , and lid skirt  58  form a one-piece lid, which may be molded. However, it should be appreciated that the lid skirt  58  is not required in all embodiments, and that the length of the side wall  46  or the lid skirt  58  may be adjusted to best fit the lip  32  of a container  12 . 
         [0045]    It should be noted, when both a side wall and a lid skirt  46 , 58  are provided, the offset of the two skirts creates a lid skirt ridge  90 . This is shown in  FIGS. 9-13 . The ridge  90  is substantially planar, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . When the lid  42  is connected to the container  12 , the rim seal surface  30  will abut tightly against the lid skirt ridge  90 . This abutment prevents product from being able to leak from the container, and ensures that the lid remains tightly connected to the container. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIGS. 9-13 , the bottom side of the lid  42  may also include a non-continuous seal rib  48 , an attachment member  52 , and a plurality of side wall ribs  56 . The non-continuous seal rib  48  is located around the inner periphery of either the side wall or lid skirt  46 , 58 . The seal rib  48  is a small protrusion extending inwardly around one of the lid skirts. The seal rib  48  is used to engage the rim seal lip  32  of the container  12  to connect the lid  42  to the container. The flexibility of the material of the lid  42  allows the seal rib  48  to expand outwardly to go over the lip  32 , while the elasticity and shape of the material brings the rib  48  back towards the sidewall  16  to provide a tight connection around the upper seal rim  18  of the container. As shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , however, the seal rib  48  is not continuous about the full inner periphery of the lid  42 . The break in continuity of the rib creates vents  50  between the lid  42  and the upper seal rim  18  of the container  12 . The vents  50  allow air to move in and out of the container  12  as air pressure increases or decreases during transport. For instance, when a container that is full of product to about the fill line  34  and is transported to lower pressure areas, such as high altitudes, the pressure created in the lid  42  can escape. This prevents either air or expanding product in low pressures from popping the lid  42  off of the container  12  at the low pressure areas. However, when going to high pressure areas, air cannot enter through the vents  50  because the pressure in the high pressure areas actually pushes the lid  42  tighter onto the container  12  preventing air from entering under the lid. 
         [0047]    Additionally, a plurality of side wall ribs  56  are shown on the underside of the lid  42  extending from the inner wall  44  to the side wall  46 . The side wall ribs  56  have a thin width and height not to exceed generally the height of the side wall  46 . The ribs  56  are spaced around the inner periphery of the side wall  46  to add structural integrity to the lid  42 . In the case of only a side wall  46 , the side wall ribs  56  will not extend to the end of the skirt  46  so that the lower end of the skirt maintains its flexibility for connecting the lid to the container. However, the side wall ribs  56  allow the lid to not collapse upon itself, while also ensuring a space for the utensil  60  to fit within the lid, as will be discussed below. When both a side wall and lid skirt  46 , 58  are used, the side wall ribs  56  do not extend beyond the height of the side wall so that the lid skirt maintains its flexibility to connect to the lip of the upper seal rim  18  of the container  12 . The side wall ribs  56  may be molded as part of the lid, and are evenly spaced around the inner periphery of the lid to ensure that the upper part of the lid is not collapsible and also so that a sufficient space remains to fit the utensil in connection with the lid. It should be appreciated that the size and number of the side wall ribs  56  may vary depending on the size, shape, and material of the lid. 
         [0048]      FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the lid  42  showing the utensil  60  attached to the lid to form a lid assembly  40 . The utensil  60  is stored in connection with the lid  42  during transport of filled containers, or whenever a consumer needs a place to put the utensil. To connect the utensil  60  to the lid  42 , an attachment member  52  extends downwardly a short distance from the inner wall  44  of the lid. At the distal end of the attachment member  52  is a lip or ridge  54  around the end of the member. The lip  54  is sized commensurate with the aperture  72  in the utensil  60  to hold the utensil  60  in place when connected to the lid  42 . The attachment member  52  is positioned on the inner wall  44  such that the utensil  60  is able to fit against the inner wall so that the utensil is able to fit into the smallest amount of area as needed. This will keep the cost of material to a minimum. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 14-19  show an embodiment of a utensil  60  used with the assembly  10  described thus far. The utensil  60  is a one-piece or single-piece rigid component comprising a cup-shaped portion  62  and a handle  64 . The cup-shaped portion  62  includes a concave side  66  and a convex side  68 . The concave side  66  of the utensil  60  has an edge  80  that is substantially planar with the handle  64 . Furthermore, the utensil has a length L, generally designated by reference numeral  76 . It should also be noted that the handle is longer than the length of the cup-shaped portion. The overall length  76  of the utensil is greater than the distance between the base  14  and the upper seal rim  18  of the container  12 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 16  shows a top view, or a view of the concave side  66  of the utensil  60 . The cup-shaped portion  62  and the handle  64  are made of one piece of material. For instance, the utensil  60  could be molded, just as the rest of the assembly  10 .  FIG. 16  also shows that the aperture  72  is positioned through the handle  64 . While the exact location of the aperture  72  on the handle may vary depending on the location of the attachment member  52  on the lid  42 , it is preferred to have the aperture through the handle and not the cup-shaped portion. The figures also show that the aperture  72  has a plurality of slots  82  extending from and radially spaced about the aperture. The slots  82  allow the material around the aperture to be flexible such that they can bend to allow the aperture to fit around the lip  54  of the attachment member  52  on the lid. However, it should be noted that the material of the utensil is rigid enough to bend back into place, such that the utensil  60  stays connected to the lid  42 , even when substantial force is applied to the lid or anywhere else on the container assembly  10 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 17-19  show details of the convex side  68  of the utensil  60 . As is shown in  FIGS. 17 and 19 , the concave side  66  of the utensil, including both the cup-shaped portion  62  and the handle  64  is generally planar. This allows the utensil to be connected to the lid  42  on the concave side so as to take up as little room a possible within the lid. The convex side  68  shows that the cup-shaped portion extends outwardly from the edge  80 . There is also a ridge  74  around the handle  64  that extends from the concave side  62 . Furthermore, there is a plurality of strengthening ribs  70  extending from the cup-shaped portion  62  to a part of the handle  64 . The strengthening ribs  70  and ridge  74  increases the rigidity and strength of the utensil  60 . This allows the utensil to be able to remove frozen product from the container  14  without breaking. It should be appreciated by those in the art that the height and thickness of the ridge and ribs  70 , 74  will be dependent on the type of material used to create the utensil. Additionally, the size of the cup-shaped portion may be varied depending on the type of product the utensil  60  is intended to be used with as well. However, the depth of the cup-shaped portion  62  and the height of the ridge and ribs  70 , 74  are kept to a minimum, so that the utensil is able to take as little space as possible in the lid  42  so that little to no extra material is required to mold or form the lid and the utensil. This will keep the costs of production to a minimum. It is preferred that the lid be manufactured to fit within the size of existing lids. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 20-22  shown another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a utensil  160  is included with a container assembly  100  for holding a product. The assembly  100  includes a container  150 , similar to the container  12  discussed above. The container includes a base  114 , a sidewall  116 , an upper seal rim  118 , a container skirt  120 , and a container cutout  122 . While a lid is not shown in  FIGS. 20-22 , it should be appreciated that a lid similar to the lid  42  described above may be used with the assembly  120 . However, an attachment member  52  is not required in this embodiment. 
         [0053]    The assembly  100  further includes first and second membranes  104 , 106 . The membranes may comprise a foil, or another material known in the art for use as seals for keeping products safe and fresh. The first membrane is attached to the upper seal rim  118  similarly to the manner in which the membrane  26  is attached to the container  12 , as described above. The first membrane  104  further includes first membrane tabs  110  for removing the membrane from the upper seal rim  118 . Attached to the first membrane  104  is a second membrane  106 . The second membrane  106  is heat-sealed around its edges to form a pocket  108  between the first and second membranes, respectively. A utensil  160  is placed between the two membranes before the second membrane is heat-sealed so as to be positioned in the pocket  108 .  FIG. 22  shows the arrangement.  FIG. 22  is a sectional view of the assembly  100  along line  22 - 22  of  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 22  shows that the pocket may be the full size of the top of the container. However, a smaller pocket close to the size of the utensil  160  may be used to limit the cost of materials. 
         [0054]    Furthermore, as shown in  FIGS. 20-22 , the first membrane  104  includes first membrane tabs  110 , and the second membrane  106  may include second membrane tabs  112 . In use, after the lid is removed from the assembly  100 , a consumer would use the first membrane tabs  110  to pull the first membrane  104  away from the upper seal rim  118  of the container. The user would then keep hold of the first membrane tabs, but also grab the second membrane tabs  112  to pull the first and second membranes away from one another. This will break the heat-sealed connection, and will allow the consumer access to the pocket  108  to be able to use the utensil  160 . However, it should be appreciated that the second tabs  112  may not be needed. A material could be used for the membranes such that a consumer is able to tear or cut the membranes to gain access to the pocket between the two membranes  104 , 106 . In addition, a portion of one of the membranes may contain a pre-cut slot to allow for an easier tearing of the membranes. 
         [0055]    The foregoing embodiments describe container assemblies that allow a consumer to obtain product, such as a frozen confection, from a container at anytime and anywhere. The consumer does not require access to a utensil, such a spoon. A utensil may be snap fit into a lid of a container, or enclosed in a pocket between membranes used for sealing the container. Furthermore, the snap fit allows for re-use of the utensil and container. The utensil can be re-snapped to the lid, the components cleaned, and the container refilled with a product of the consumers choice. Therefore, the present invention also discloses a reusable container for storing a product to be used with a utensil. 
         [0056]    The invention has been shown and described above with reference to preferred embodiments, and it is understood that modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. The invention is only to be limited by claims appended hereto.