Abstract:
A container assembly has three portions, namely a bowl, a tray, and a cover. The tray has a sealable mounting on the bowl, and spaced peripheral clasps for engaging a flange of the bowl to make the seal seat tightly. The tray doubles both as a sealing lid and a carrying frame for auxiliary containers such as for salad dressing, condiments or the like. The tray is symmetrically arranged such that two side accommodations bracket a third, central accommodation for utensils. The two side accommodations are deeper than the central accommodation. The cover encloses all of the items carried in the tray.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design application No. 29/362,230, filed May 21, 2010, in the name of Rachael Ray et al. and entitled CONTAINER ASSEMBLY, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the field of portable containers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is often desirable to have a container assembly that incorporates, in one convenient package, not merely a main storage area for food, but also auxiliary containers and utensils such as may be used therewith. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In an aspect of the invention there is a container assembly. The container assembly has a first member; a second member; and a third member. The first member defines a containment vessel capable of retaining liquid. The second member includes a first portion defining a closure member for the first member, and a second portion defining at least two accommodations. At least one of the accommodation is an accommodation for at least one of (a) utensils; (b) an auxiliary container formed matingly to sit in the at least one accommodation. The third member defining a cover adapted to seat over the second member and such of (a) and (b) as may be contained in the at least one accommodation. 
         [0005]    In a feature of that aspect of the invention, the assembly includes a seal that is trapped between the first member and the second member when the first and second member are in mating engagement. In another feature, the first and second members have mutually engaging first and second securements that work together co-operably to retain the second member in position enclosing the containment vessel. In still another feature, the securements include a circumferentially extending ring of one of the first member and the second member, and a mating grip of the other of the second member and the first member. The mating grip is positionable at a plurality of locations on the circumferentially extending member whereby the second member and the first member can be secured to each other at many different angular positions. In a further feature, the first member is a bowl, the circumferentially extending ring is a flange of the bowl, the second member has at least three of the grips spaced thereabout, and each of the grips is a releasable clasp having a finger operable to engage the flange. 
         [0006]    In another feature the first member is a bowl having a base upon which to sit, and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base. The side wall has an upper margin, the upper margin being upwardly distant from the base of the bowl. The second member has at least one well defined therein. When the second member is mounted on the first member at least a portion of the well extend to a height lower than the upper margin of the bowl. In a still further feature the second member defines first, second and third accommodations, the first and second accommodations being spaced apart and the third accommodation being defined therebetween. In a still further feature, the first and second accommodations are mirror images of each other and are located symmetrically to either side of an axis of symmetry, the axis of symmetry then bi-secting the third accommodation. In yet a further feature, the first and second accommodations include first and second wells respectively, the third accommodation has a bottom panel, and the wells have bases that extend to a depth lower than the bottom panel of the third accommodation. In a still further feature, the third member has a depending skirt, and when the third member is mounted above the second member the depending skirt defines at least a portion of a boundary wall of the third accommodation. In yet another further feature, the container assembly further includes first and second lidded auxiliary containers that nest in the first and second receptacles, and utensils that nest in the third receptacle between the first and second receptacles. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of the invention there is a container assembly. It has a first member; a second member; and a third member. The first member is a bowl. The bowl has a bottom upon which the bowl rests in use, and an upper margin distant from the bottom. The bowl has a peripheral sidewall that extends between the bottom and the upper margin. The upper margin has a rim. The second member is a removable closure panel mountable to the rim of the bowl. The second member has a central region and an outer periphery. The outer periphery is of a size corresponding generally to, and for seating about, the rim of the bowl. The second member has a seal for engaging the rim in a liquid tight closure. The second member has a first side that, when the second member is mounted to the first member, faces inwardly into the bowl. The second member has a second side that, when the second member is mounted to the first member, faces outwardly away from the bowl. The second member has a first accommodation, a second accommodation, and a third accommodation integrally formed therein. The first accommodation including an upstanding peripheral wall, the upstanding peripheral wall of the first accommodation having a first part and a second part. The first part of the upstanding peripheral wall of the first accommodation corresponds to a first portion of the outer periphery of the second member. The second part of the upstanding peripheral wall of the first accommodation diverges away from the outer periphery of the second member and runs inwardly toward, and at least partially across, the central region. The upstanding peripheral wall of the first accommodation defining a seat having a first footprint. The upstanding peripheral wall of the first accommodation has at least one rebate of reduced wall height formed therein. The second accommodation includes an upstanding peripheral wall. The upstanding peripheral wall of the second accommodation has a first part and a second part. The first part of the upstanding peripheral wall of the second accommodation corresponds to a second portion of the outer periphery of the second member. The second part of the upstanding peripheral wall of the second accommodation diverges away from the outer periphery of the second member and runs inwardly toward and at least partially across the central region. The second part of the upstanding peripheral wall of the first accommodation is spaced apart from the second part of the upstanding peripheral wall of the second accommodation. The third accommodation is defined between the respective second parts of upstanding peripheral walls of the first and second accommodations. An auxiliary receptacle is removably mounted in the first accommodation. The auxiliary receptacle has a footprint corresponding generally to the footprint of the upstanding peripheral wall of the first accommodation. The auxiliary receptacle has a closure member. The rebate in the peripheral wall of the first accommodation provides access to the auxiliary receptacle by which access removal of the auxiliary receptacle is facilitated. The third member defines a lid positionable to cover the second member. 
         [0008]    In another feature of that aspect of the invention the bowl has an outwardly protruding flange located adjacent to the rim. The second member has and array of grips for engaging the protruding lip. The second member has a ring seal for bearing down on the rim to form a sealed closure when the second member engages the first member. In another feature the first and second accommodations are formed symmetrically to either side of a diametral centerline of the second member. There is one of the auxiliary receptacles mounted in each of the first and second accommodations. The first and second accommodations are deeper than the third accommodation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    These and other aspects of the invention may be more readily understood with the aid of the illustrative Figures included herein below, showing of an example, or examples, embodying the various aspects of the invention, provided by way of illustration, but not of limitation of the present invention, and in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of an example of an embodiment of a container assembly according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1   b  is a front view of the container assembly of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0012]      FIG. 1   c  is a side view of the container assembly of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0013]      FIG. 1   d  is a top view of the container assembly of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0014]      FIG. 1   e  is a bottom view of the container assembly of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0015]      FIG. 1   f  is a view taken on section ‘ 1   f - 1   f ’ of  FIG. 1   b;    
           [0016]      FIG. 1   g  is a view taken on section ‘ 1   g - 1   g ’ of  FIG. 1   c;    
           [0017]      FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a container assembly to that of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0018]      FIG. 2   b  is a front view of the container assembly of  FIG. 2   a;    
           [0019]      FIG. 2   c  is a side view of the container assembly of  FIG. 2   a;    
           [0020]      FIG. 2   d  is a top view of the container assembly of  FIG. 2   a;    
           [0021]      FIG. 2   e  is a bottom view of the container assembly of  FIG. 2   a;    
           [0022]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of the container assembly of  FIG. 2   a  with the cover thereof removed; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3   b  is a front view of the container assembly of  FIG. 3   a;    
           [0024]      FIG. 3   c  is a side view of the container assembly of  FIG. 3   a;    
           [0025]      FIG. 3   d  is a top view of the container assembly of  FIG. 3   a;    
           [0026]      FIG. 3   e  is an exploded view of the container assembly of  FIG. 2   a;    
           [0027]      FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view of a tray of the container assembly of  FIG. 3   a;    
           [0028]      FIG. 4   b  is a top view of the tray of  FIG. 4   a;    
           [0029]      FIG. 4   c  is a front view of the tray of  FIG. 4   a;    
           [0030]      FIG. 4   d  is a bottom view of the tray of  FIG. 4   a;    
           [0031]      FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view of a receptacle of the assembly of  FIG. 3   a;    
           [0032]      FIG. 5   b  is a top view of the receptacle of  FIG. 5   a;    
           [0033]      FIG. 5   c  is a bottom view of the receptacle of  FIG. 5   a;    
           [0034]      FIG. 5   d  is a front view of the receptacle of  FIG. 5   a;    
           [0035]      FIG. 5   e  is a side view of the receptacle of  FIG. 5   a;    
           [0036]      FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view of a fork of the container assembly of  FIG. 3   a;    
           [0037]      FIG. 6   b  is a side view of the fork of  FIG. 6   c;    
           [0038]      FIG. 6   c  is a top view of the fork of  FIG. 6   a;    
           [0039]      FIG. 7   a  is a perspective view of a spoon of the assembly of  FIG. 3   a;    
           [0040]      FIG. 7   b  is a side view of the spoon of  FIG. 7   a ; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 7   c  is a top view of the spoon of  FIG. 7   c.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]    The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the invention. In the description, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are substantially to scale, except where noted otherwise, such as in those instances in which proportions may have been exaggerated in order more clearly to depict certain features of the invention. 
         [0043]    Following from  Phillips  v.  AWH Corp ., this definition provided in the specification is intended to supplant any dictionary definition, and to prevent interpretation in the US Patent Office (or in any other Patent Office) that strays from the customary and ordinary meaning of the terms provided herein. 
         [0044]    To commence,  FIGS. 1   a - 1   g  illustrate a container assembly, indicated generally as  20 . Container assembly  20  includes a first member  22 , a second member  24 , and a third member  26 . 
         [0045]    First member  22  defines a containment vessel, such as may be used for carrying solids or liquids, and most particularly, such as may be used for foodstuffs whether soup or stew, or sauces, or vegetable dishes, or such other foods as may be. First member  22  may have the shape of a bowl  30  and may be made of a material suitable for placement in either a microwave of conventional oven, and may be made of a ceramic material. In some embodiments that material may be a vitreous or refractory material, be it glass, fired clay, or a material such as sold under the brand name “Pyrex” of Dow Corning. As may be appreciated, in some embodiments first member  22  may have the form of a body of revolution formed about a vertical axis, such that it is circular at any given horizontal plane. Bowl  30  may be bulging, having a substantially hemispherical shape, or may be parabolic, or may be a truncated cone. Bowl  30  may have a bottom or base portion  32 , and an upwardly extending sidewall portion  34  that may be tapering or curved as previously noted. Sidewall portion  34  may have an upper margin  36 , such as may be termed a mouth, or lip, or rim, defining an opening  40  of bowl  30  distant from base portion  32  by which contents may be added to or removed from the interior chamber  38  defined within bowl  30 . Upper margin  36  may be circular, and may include a outwardly extending member or array,  42 , which may be in the nature of a flange  44 , which may also be termed a lip or ridge. Flange  44  may have the form of a radially outwardly extending annulus, and may be so formed to provide a securement locus. That securement locus may include a downwardly protruberant circumferentially extending distal bead, or ridge at the radially outermost extreme of flange  44 . 
         [0046]    Second member  24  spans the opening of bowl  30 . In some embodiments second member  24  defines an outflow governor for bowl  30 , second member  24  being movable between a first and a second position relative to bowl  30 . The first position may be a mounted, or closed, position, in which second member  24  seats athwart opening  40  and in such position may prevent egress of material from bowl  30 . The second position is on open position in which second member  24  obstructs the opening of the bowl to a lesser degree than in the closed position, thus permitting materials to be introduced into or taken out of the bowl. In one embodiment the open position may be a detached position in which second member  24  is completely removed from first member  22 . 
         [0047]    In one embodiment second member  24  may have the form of a panel  46  with an engaging peripheral closure fitting  48  that mates with upper margin  36  of bowl  30 . Closure fitting  48  may have the form of a circumferentially extending labyrinth, or rebate, or groove, or slot that seats about the rim defined by upper margin  36 . Closure fitting  48  may include a seal  50 , which may have the form of a Nylon™ or neoprene O-ring captured in the slot or groove of fitting  48 . 
         [0048]    Second member  24  may be made of any of the glass, ceramic, clay or earthenware materials noted above in connection with a number of possible embodiments of bowl  30 . Alternatively, however, second member  24  (and in some embodiments bowl  30 ) may be made of a plastic or composite material, such as an high density nylon or other plastic, and such as may be suitable for use in a microwave oven, for example. 
         [0049]    Bowl  30  and second member  24  may include mutually engaging securement fittings. In one embodiment, those securement fittings may include a releasable grip or closure array  60 , which may include one or more releasable clasps or clamps  62 . In one embodiment there may be four such clasps or clamps spaced on 90 degree centers about the periphery. In another embodiment there may be three clamps on 120 degree centers. To the extent that the depending arms  64  of each clamp  62  have a radially inwardly extending finger or tooth  66  that has a bump or detent to engage to engage, or capture, or grip, the downwardly formed bead of radial circumferential flange  44 , the mating first and second members of the securement (namely the clasp and the flange) have a snap-fit securement. Since flange  44  extends fully about the circumference of bowl  30 , second member  24  may be positioned at any angle relative to bowl  30 , i.e., it is infinitely adjustable, and the two parts accept each other at any angle. When the clasps engage, they may tend to draw second member  24  onto the rim of the bowl, compressing the seal. Other forms of securement may be used, such as a threaded lid and threaded rim. However, when the container holds liquids, it may be preferred that the action of closing and opening the assembly involve motion that is either predominantly or entirely in one direction, namely the single axial degree of freedom in the direction of the z-axis (i.e., the vertical axis when bowl  30  is sitting on a level surface such as a kitchen counter). In the axial direction, when the clasps are released, the tips of a user&#39;s fingers fit easily between the upward face of flange  44  and the underside of the downwardly facing portion or skirt  70  of second member  24 , aiding in dislodging and moving second member  24  axially away from its closed position. 
         [0050]    Second member  24  may have the form of a spider, or framework, or tray  72 , that spans the opening of bowl  30 . In the embodiment illustrated the tray is a continuous moulding such that when in place, second member  24  seals the container. The spider or framework or tray,  72  may include a first accommodation,  74 , a second accommodation  76 , and a third accommodation  78 . Tray  72  may have a central region or portion  80 , which is surrounded at its radially outermost periphery be a depending skirt  82  whose lowermost margin seats about the rim of bowl  30 . Central region or portion  80  is substantially flat and planar. It is bounded on either side by first and second retainer arrays  84 ,  86 , which may in some embodiments have the form of upstanding wall structures such as first upstanding wall structure  88  and second upstanding wall structure  90 . First and second upstanding wall structures  88  and  90  may in some embodiments be continuous peripheral walls that define surrounding walls of first accommodation  74  and second accommodation  76 . 
         [0051]    Considering first peripheral wall structure  88 , we see that it has a first portion  92  and a second portion  94 . First portion  92  runs along, and generally corresponds to the outer circumferentially running depending skirt at the radially outermost extremity of second member  24 . In some instances, the outer wall of first portion  92  may be flush with skirt  70 . First portion  92  may extend about some portion of the periphery of second member  24 . In one embodiment, it may be from roughly the 1 o&#39;clock to roughly the 5 o&#39;clock position, or something in the range of about 100 to 140 degrees of included arc. Second portion  94  may meet with first portion  92  at first and second vertices, and be spaced radially inwardly therefrom to create the space that defines first accommodation  74 . Expressed differently, second portion  94  extends away from the outer periphery of second member  24  toward the midst of central region or portion  80 , and extends thereacross. Second portion  94  may include first, second and third sections  96 ,  98 ,  100 , in which sections  96  and  100  extend substantially radially, but are truncated short of the center of central region or portion  80 , and section  98  joins sections  96  and  100 , extending generally parallel to the Noon to 6 o&#39;clock diameter of second member  24 . Expressed somewhat differently, first peripheral wall structure  88  may be thought of as having a first or major axis that is parallel to the Noon to 6 o&#39;clock direction; and a second, or minor axis that is coincident with the 3 o&#39;clock direction. The overall width of first peripheral structure  88  in the direction of the minor axis is less than the overall radius of second member  24 . It may also be noted that the overall length of first peripheral structure  88  along the major axis is longer than the overall radius of second member  24 . 
         [0052]    First portion  92  may include a rebate, or relief, or carve-out  102 , which may be located at the three o&#39;clock position. That rebate, or carve-out  102  may have the form of a dip in the axial direction. Aside from rebate  102 , the upper edge or face of peripheral wall structure  88  may have higher elevation closer to the center of central region or portion  80 , with a decline, or sloping away toward the radially outermost edge. Peripheral wall structure  88  (and  90 ) may be re-entrant. That is, the base or floor or bottom panel  104  defining the bottom surface of first accommodation  74  (and a corresponding portion of the top wall, or roof of the enclosed container of bowl  30  when in use), may be at a level that is generally lower than, or depressed inwardly toward the inside of bowl  30  relative to, the general level of the adjacent central region or portion  80  lying to the other side of second portion  94 . That is, whereas central region or portion  80  lies at a level that is approximately at the level of the rim of upper margin  36 , or somewhat proud thereof, bottom panel  104  lies below that level, being shy of the level of the rim of upper margin  36 . 
         [0053]    It may be that second peripheral wall structure  90  is the mirror image of first peripheral wall structure  88 . It could also be of a different shape. However, whether the shame shape or different, second peripheral wall structure  90  is spaced from first peripheral wall structure  88  to leave a space therebetween defining third accommodation  78 . In one embodiment, second peripheral wall structure  90  is the mirror image of first peripheral wall structure  88 , and the layout of the upper or outwardly or upwardly facing surface, or surfaces, of second member  24  are symmetrical about the Noon- to 6 o&#39;clock diameter (and, in this instance, also about the 3 o&#39;clock to 9 o&#39;clock diameter that is perpendicular to it). Third accommodation then has a first wide part,  110 , (bounded by respective sections  96 ); a narrow waist  112  (bounded on either side by respective central sections  98 ); and a second wide part  114  (bounded on either side by respective sections  100 ). 
         [0054]    Assembly  20  may include a first auxiliary container  120  that seats removably in first accommodation  74 . It may also include a second auxiliary container  122  that seats removably in second accommodation  76 . First accommodation  74  may have a footprint of a given shape, in this case the shape being that of the outline of bottom panel  104  (which can also be expressed as the inside projected shape of first peripheral wall structure  88 ). Auxiliary container  120  may have a base  124  having a footprint of a corresponding shape for nesting within accommodation  74 . Auxiliary container  120  may also have an upstanding peripheral sidewall  126  and a lid, or cover or closure member  128 . Container  120  may include a lifting member  130 , which itself may be a portion of closure member  128 . Lifting member  128  may overhang rebate  102 , such that a finger may be used to urge container  120  out of accommodation  74 . Second auxiliary container  122  may be the same as container  120 , or may be its mirror image, and whatever its shape, it may nest correspondingly in accommodation  76 . The overall depth of auxiliary container  120  is such that when seated in accommodation  76  its lid lies substantially flush with, or slightly shy of the profile of the adjacent upper edges of second member  24 . Since first and second accommodations  74 ,  76  define wells, and the wells are made deeper than otherwise by extending the bottom of each well past the plane of the base or bottom of third accommodation  78  and past upper margin  76  when the unit is assembled and closed, the volume of auxiliary containers  120 ,  122  may be larger than otherwise without extending above the corresponding roof line profiles of second member  24  and third member  26 . 
         [0055]    Utensils  132  may be removably stored in third accommodation  78 . In one embodiment utensils  132  include a spoon  134  and a fork  136  that have handles shaped to seat in the waist of third accommodation  78 , which the broadened ends thereof occupy the broader end regions of accommodation  78 . In this way utensils  132  are retained. 
         [0056]    Third member  26  is a lid or cover  140  that seats upon second member  24 , enclosing auxiliary containers  120  and  122 , and utensils  132  while doing so. Lid  140  has a main portion  142  that has an internal and external profile that conforms to the profile of the upper edges of second member  24 , and to auxiliary containers  120  and  122  seated therein. Lid  140  also has circumferentially running a depending skirt  144  that seats about the outside of the peripheral wall of second member  24 , that skirt closing off the radially outward ends of third accommodation  78 , forming at least a portion of the boundary thereof. Lid  140  also has lifting members in the nature of wing tabs  146  suitably spaced about the edge of skirt  144 . In one embodiment there are two such wing tabs  146  located on 180 degree centers. In another embodiment there may be three such tabs on 120 degree centers. 
         [0057]    The principles of the present invention are not limited to these specific examples, which are given by way of illustration. It is possible to make other embodiments that employ the principles of the invention and that fall within its spirit and scope of the invention. Since changes in and or additions to the above-described embodiments may be made without departing from the nature, spirit or scope of the invention, the invention is not to be limited to those details, but only by the appended claims.