Patent Publication Number: US-9884707-B2

Title: Pop-out constructible utensil

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The application claims benefit of US Patent Application No. 61/820,667 and also claims benefit of US Patent Application No. 61/890,313. This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/797,446 filed 12 Mar. 2013, to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/214,988 which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/794,613 filed 15 Mar. 2013, and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/032,194 filed 19 September claiming benefit of US Provisional Application No. 61/712,610 filed 11 Oct. 2012. The contents of these applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference thereto in their entireties for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to utensils, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to constructible utensils including a temporary protective sanitary layer and/or those used in connection with a container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions. 
     One use for disposable utensils is inclusion with a foodstuff container to enable convenient consumption of the foodstuff. Disposable utensils include plastic spoons or forks that are co-packaged with the container. Providing suitable packaging that ensures availability and cleanliness of the utensil are chronic challenges for co-packaged disposable utensils. 
     When implemented as a commodity product for disposable consumption of foodstuff, price is a primary consideration (along with satisfaction of other goals of meeting various standards for waste (e.g., compostability) and consumer&#39;s other use and environmental concerns). 
     The annual market size of disposable utensils is in the billions of units, and any reduction in cost is significantly magnified by that volume. There is always a trade-off in cost reduction to maintain usability. For consumers, usability includes mouth feel and whether the constructed utensil is able to operate for the intended purpose. For example, certain types of foodstuff are better suited to one type of constructed utensil than another. Even when the class of constructed utensil is correct, the appropriateness of the constructed utensil is further gauged as to whether it may be predictably constructed into the desired utensil. 
     A particular type of container is a parfait cup. A current solution for a parfait cup includes three independent parts: a clear cold cup, a parfait insert, and a lid. The clear cold cup is generally a transparent cup that holds about 9 ounces and is partially filled with desired ingredients (for example fruit and yogurt). The parfait insert is a tray that holds dry ingredients to be mixed with the desired ingredients by the consumer. For example, it may include granola or the like to complement the ingredients in the clear cold cup. The parfait insert holds less volume (e.g., 2 ounces) and is designed to fit within a top opening of the clear cold cup and to be supported there so it is available to be removed by the consumer so the complementary ingredients may be poured into the clear cold cup and mixed. The parfait insert may have an upper rim that suspends the tray at the opening of the clear cold cup. The lid, independent from the other components, covers and seals the parfait cup by engaging the clear cold cup and simultaneously holding the parfait insert in place. 
     A disadvantage to this solution is that there is no easy way to provide the consumer with a utensil for ready enjoyment of the foodstuff. U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,381 to EcoTensil, Inc. describes various configurations of spoon lid solutions that may be used successfully to provide the consumer with a simple and convenient folding eating utensil. (U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,381 is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.) For example a spoon lid may be provided within the parfait insert prior to the lid being added and closing the clear cup opening. 
     For some manufacturers of packaging solutions, the existing solutions may not be an optimal solution as it introduces a fourth manufacturing step and/or component to the existing processes and components (the 3 conventional parfait elements and the added spoon lid/utensil). 
     There is also a class of container that includes a double-wall construction. This class of container is sometimes used for hot foods. An example of such a container is an oatmeal container in which the double wall construction is provided to aid in cooking and venting of steam (for example, the lid is manufactured with a double wall construction). 
     What is needed is a system and method for improving constructible utensil options to address the various deficiencies, particularly in certain circumstances and contexts including improving co-packaging of a disposable utensil with a foodstuff container and providing an on-package constructible utensil solution for a multi-part foodstuff container, such as a parfait container including an independent parfait tray. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed is a system and method for improving constructible utensil options to address the various deficiencies, particularly in certain circumstances and contexts, including improving co-packaging of a disposable utensil with a foodstuff container and providing an on-package constructible utensil solution for a multi-part foodstuff container, such as a parfait container including an independent parfait tray. 
     The following summary of the invention is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the technical features related to definition and use of constructible utensil assemblies that may be used in food co-packaging and the like, and is not intended to be a full description of the present invention. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. The present invention is applicable to other containers, utensils, constructible structures, and uses in addition to food co-packaging. 
     Further, the following summary of the invention is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of technical features related to on-package utensil provisioning for multi-part containers, and is not intended to be a full description of the present invention. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. The present invention is applicable to other container types in addition to parfait containers and is not limited to foodstuff containers or constructible eating utensils. 
     In a simple implementation of the present invention, an embodiment includes a main container defining a primary holding volume accessed through a top opening and a modified tray insert defining a secondary holding volume accessed through a second opening, the tray insert extending into the primary holding volume while simultaneously functioning as the closure system for the primary holding volume that closes, secures, and seals the top opening. A spoon lid is used to close, secure and seal the second opening. The spoon lid includes a constructible eating utensil that is available to the consumer to prepare (e.g., mix) and consume the foodstuff. This configuration has three elements that includes an on-package constructible utensil which for some may be an improvement over existing spoon lid solutions in that it includes the same number of elements achieving the same results, while offering an on-package utensil. 
     Any of the embodiments described herein may be used alone or together with one another in any combination. Inventions encompassed within this specification may also include embodiments that are only partially mentioned or alluded to or are not mentioned or alluded to at all in this brief summary or in the abstract. Although various embodiments of the invention may have been motivated by various deficiencies with the prior art, which may be discussed or alluded to in one or more places in the specification, the embodiments of the invention do not necessarily address any of these deficiencies. In other words, different embodiments of the invention may address different deficiencies that may be discussed in the specification. Some embodiments may only partially address some deficiencies or just one deficiency that may be discussed in the specification, and some embodiments may not address any of these deficiencies. 
     Other features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon a review of the present disclosure, including the specification, drawings, and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a foodstuff container including a co-packaging of a conventional disposable utensil as part of an opening covering; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the foodstuff container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of an improved co-packaging of a foodstuff container a with a constructible utensil assembly; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a first embodiment for the constructible utensil assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrate a top view of the first embodiment for the constructible utensil assembly of  FIG. 4  with the constructible utensil peeled away; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of a second embodiment for the disposable constructible utensil of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an improved three-part parfait container; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded view of the improved three-part parfait container of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9 - FIG. 10  illustrate representative options, among other non-illustrated options, for a spoon lid for use in the improved parfait container illustrated in  FIG. 7 - FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a first embodiment for a spoon lid; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a second embodiment for a spoon lid; 
         FIG. 11 - FIG. 12  illustrate representative options, among other non-illustrated options, for an inset perimeter of the tray insert corresponding to the spoon lid options illustrated in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , respectively, 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a first embodiment for an inset perimeter corresponding to the first embodiment of the spoon lid illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a second embodiment for an inset perimeter corresponding to the second embodiment of the spoon lid illustrated in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a third embodiment for an inset perimeter corresponding to a popout embodiment of a constructible utensil illustrated herein, for example,  FIG. 4 , installed as a secondary closure system to close, secure and seal the second opening of a tray insert; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a fourth embodiment for an inset perimeter corresponding to a plain blank installed as a secondary closure system to close, secure and seal the second opening of a tray insert; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a side elevation sectional view of a second embodiment for a closure system including an adhesive coupler; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a side elevation sectional view of a first embodiment for a closure system including an over cap coupler; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a side elevation sectional view of a double wall closure system; and 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a plan view of an inner wall of the double wall closure system illustrated in  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for improving constructible utensil options to address the various deficiencies, particularly in certain circumstances and contexts, including improving co-packaging of a disposable utensil with a foodstuff container and providing an on-package constructible utensil solution for a multi-part foodstuff container, such as a parfait container including an independent parfait tray. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. 
     Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 
     Definitions 
     The following definitions apply to some of the aspects described with respect to some embodiments of the invention. These definitions may likewise be expanded upon herein. 
     As used herein, the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an object can include multiple objects unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     As used herein, the term “set” refers to a collection of one or more objects. Thus, for example, a set of objects can include a single object or multiple objects. Objects of a set also can be referred to as members of the set. Objects of a set can be the same or different. In some instances, objects of a set can share one or more common properties. 
     As used herein, the term “adjacent” refers to being near or adjoining. Adjacent objects can be spaced apart from one another or can be in actual or direct contact with one another. In some instances, adjacent objects can be coupled to one another or can be formed integrally with one another. 
     As used herein, the terms “couple,” “coupled,” and “coupling” refer to an operational connection or linking. Coupled objects can be directly connected to one another or can be indirectly connected to one another, such as via an intermediary set of objects. 
     As used herein, the terms “about,” “substantially,” and “substantial” refer to a considerable degree or extent. When used in conjunction with an event or circumstance, the terms can refer to instances in which the event or circumstance occurs precisely as well as instances in which the event or circumstance occurs to a close approximation, such as accounting for typical tolerance levels or variability of the embodiments described herein. Absent specific values for typical tolerance levels or variability, the terms mean plus or minus 10 percent of the indicated value. 
     As used herein, the terms “optional” and “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not. 
     As used herein, the term “size” refers to a characteristic dimension of an object. Thus, for example, a size of an object that is spherical can refer to a diameter of the object. In the case of an object that is non-spherical, a size of the non-spherical object can refer to a diameter of a corresponding spherical object, where the corresponding spherical object exhibits or has a particular set of derivable or measurable properties that are substantially the same as those of the non-spherical object. Thus, for example, a size of a non-spherical object can refer to a diameter of a corresponding spherical object that exhibits light scattering or other properties that are substantially the same as those of the non-spherical object. Alternatively, or in conjunction, a size of a non-spherical object can refer to an average of various orthogonal dimensions of the object. Thus, for example, a size of an object that is a spheroidal can refer to an average of a major axis and a minor axis of the object. When referring to a set of objects as having a particular size, it is contemplated that the objects can have a distribution of sizes around the particular size. Thus, as used herein, a size of a set of objects can refer to a typical size of a distribution of sizes, such as an average size, a median size, or a peak size. 
     Discussed herein are application and arrangement of a bowl-forming scoring pattern on a planar blank removably defined in a constructible utensil assembly that produces a bowl in a constructible utensil when an unconstructed and undistorted blank is constructed/distorted along a fold line/axis (the scoring pattern is typically symmetric about this fold axis), the distortion propagating along scores of the scoring pattern. For purposes of this patent application, the bowl-forming scoring pattern includes the set of scores that produce a shaped and contoured curvilinear three-dimensional bowl when the blank is folded. The bowl-forming scoring pattern includes, when present, scores that define a fold axis as well as those that propagate any folding/distortion that create the bowl. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a foodstuff delivery system  100  including a foodstuff container  105  having a co-packaging of a conventional disposable utensil  110  as part of an opening covering and  FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of foodstuff delivery system  100  without a lid. 
     Container  105  has base (e.g., circular, rectilinear (square), or other regular or irregular shape) with substantially vertically extending sidewalls that define an opening. A lid  115  covers and secures the opening. In some instances a rigid cavity-defining structure  120  is placed in the opening that is made from paperboard, plastic or the like to form a storage location for utensil  110 . To help ensure that utensil  110  is not prematurely removed and to help promote cleanliness of utensil  110 , one or more coverings  125  overlies utensil  110  (e.g., there is a cover and may be a second plastic overwrap). A pull-tab  130  aids the user in removing the covering  125  to reveal the storage location allowing access and removal of utensil  110 . When the user desires to access the foodstuff with utensil  110 , structure  120  is removed or perforated. In  FIG. 2 , lid  115  is removed and utensil  110  is disposed below covering  125  within the storage location of structure  120 . Some delivery systems  100  may not have an independent structure  120  (e.g., it may be integrated into one or more other components) defining the storage location but they typically support covering  125  overlying a storage location holding utensil  110 . 
     One of the drawbacks of system  100  is that there are extra costs to the manufacturer and the user. The manufacturer makes the volume of container  105  great enough to support the extra volume of structure  120  (or its equivalent) necessary for the typically solution that uses a preformed three-dimensional utensil having a pre-built bowl. There are attendant extra costs associated with this solution when other less volume-intensive solutions are available for use. While the costs individually may be relatively small, they accumulate over tens, hundreds, thousands, millions, and more of delivery systems. The user is inconvenienced by using a plastic spoon that is not a green environmentally efficient solution and having a relatively complicated solution for accessing utensil  110 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a foodstuff delivery system  300  including an improved co-packaging of a foodstuff container  305  and a disposable constructible utensil assembly  310 . 
     Container  305  has base (e.g., circular, rectilinear (square), or other regular or irregular shape) with substantially vertically extending sidewalls that define an opening. A lid  315  covers and secures the opening. In some instances a rigid cavity-defining structure  320  is placed in the opening that is made from paperboard, plastic or the like to form a storage location for assembly  310 . However because of the unique design, structure  320  is optional as assembly  310  is more readily integrated into other structures (and when present, it may be made much shallower than suggested by  FIG. 3  (a thickness of a blank such as about 10-20 point caliper). A pull-tab  325  aids the user in accessing all or part of assembly  310  (all of assembly  310  may be removed or just a constructible utensil that is provided as part of assembly  310  may be removed). Some delivery systems  300  may not have an independent structure  320  (e.g., it may be integrated into one or more other components) defining the storage location. 
     Constructible utensil assembly  310  includes a planar utensil layer  330  and an optional protective layer  335  that may be disposed on top of or underneath utensil layer  330  ( FIG. 3  illustrates protective layer  335  underneath utensil layer  33 ). A portion of utensil layer  330  defines a constructible utensil that includes a foodstuff contacting portion that is sealed and protected by protective layer  335  (when present). The user is able to detach the constructible utensil from utensil layer  330  and concurrently peel the constructible utensil away from protective layer  335 . 
     Preferably protective layer  335  is a thin flexible impermeable layer that is adhered with semi-tacky adhesive or other attachment system to provide a sanitary barrier to the foodstuff contacting portion(s) of the constructible utensil defined in and by utensil layer  330 . 
     As is appreciated from a comparison of  FIG. 3  with  FIG. 1 , and as explained herein, the material requirements and extra volume displacement requirements are less with use of a constructible utensil assembly  310 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a first embodiment for constructible utensil assembly  310  of  FIG. 3 . First embodiment for constructible utensil assembly  310  includes a blank  405  having an outer periphery complementary to, and in some cases closely matching, an inner perimeter of the opening of container  305 , which may be circular, square/rectilinear, elliptical, or other shape to allow assembly  310  to wholly or partially function as a closure for the opening. Included at an exterior portion of the perimeter is an optional tab  410  that is connected to a constructible utensil  415  defined in blank  405 . Constructible utensil  415  has an outer perimeter defined within blank  405  that extends from one portion of the outer periphery to another portion of the outer periphery. Thus the peripheries of blank  405  and utensil  415  are relatively independent (as noted utensil  415  is disposed within blank  405  and thus may not be larger). 
     Not shown in  FIG. 4  is optional protective layer  335  that provides a thin underlying laminate film (e.g., polymer, elastomer, or the like) which at least covers the underneath side of constructible utensil  415  and may extend under all of blank  405 . Protective layer  335  is releasably coupled to utensil  415  (e.g., such as by a semi-tacky adhesive applied to its underside or secure attachment of protective layer  335  to blank  405  so protective layer  335  spans the expanse of utensil  415 , or other releasable coupling). 
     Utensil  415  is secured in assembly  310  in any of several different ways, including use of “nicks”  420  which are small discontinuities in the perimeter-defining cut that defines utensil  415  in blank  405 . Nicks  420  are easily torn or detachable providing a releasable coupling mechanism. Another option includes use of the semi-tacky adhesive or coupling system that retains utensil  415  to protective layer  335  in addition to or in lieu of the nicks  420 . 
     The present invention may be implemented using virtually any scoring pattern appropriate to form the desired constructed utensil (e.g., for foodstuff, measuring cup, or the like). Some of these utensils and some scoring patterns are set forth and described in the incorporated patent applications; it being understood that additional patterns are possible. In the implementation illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the scoring pattern is produced by a debossing process that produces the scores that can propagate a folding of utensil  415  to produce the desired three-dimensional bowl, for example. In utensil  415 , a lateral score near a back of a handle portion (e.g., an edge portion) defines a bend for tab  410  to allow it to bend upwardly toward an opening of the container when installed to allow the user to grip and extract all or a portion of assembly  415 . As illustrated, in some implementations tab  410  allows utensil to be concurrently detached from the remainder of blank  405  and peeled away from protective layer  335 . In other implementations, as described further below, a slot at the edge portion for a thumb or other digit (sometimes referred to as a thumb-hole) that extends inside a circumference (or perimeter for non-circular blanks) of blank  405  is an alternative to removal of utensil  415  from blank  405 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrate a top view of the first embodiment for the constructible utensil assembly  310  of  FIG. 4  with constructible utensil  415  peeled away to reveal a portion  505  of protective layer  335 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of a second embodiment for constructible utensil assembly  310  of  FIG. 3  similar in construction and operation as the first embodiment of  FIG. 4  except for details of the constructible utensil. Second embodiment for constructible utensil assembly  310  includes a blank  605  having an outer periphery complementary to, and in some cases closely matching, an inner perimeter of the opening of container  305 , which may be circular, square/rectangular/rectilinear, elliptical, or other regular or irregular polygon having N number of sides, N=3 to 10, shape to allow assembly  310  to wholly or partially function as a closure for the opening. Included at an exterior portion of the perimeter is an optional tab  610  that is connected to a constructible utensil  615  defined in blank  605 . Constructible utensil  615  has an outer perimeter defined within blank  605  that extends from one portion of the outer periphery to another portion of the outer periphery. 
     Not shown in  FIG. 6  is optional protective layer  335  that provides a thin underlying laminate film (e.g., polymer, elastomer, or the like) which at least covers the underneath side of constructible utensil  615  and may extend under all of blank  605 . Protective layer  335  is releasably coupled to utensil  615  (e.g., such as by a semi-tacky adhesive applied to its underside or secure attachment of protective layer  335  to blank  605  so protective layer  335  spans the expanse of utensil  615 , or other releasable coupling). 
     Utensil  615  is secured in assembly  310  in any of several different ways, including use of “nicks”  620  which are small discontinuities in the perimeter-defining cut that defines utensil  615  in blank  605 . Nicks  620  are easily torn or detachable to provide one example of a releasable coupling mechanism. Another option includes use of the semi-tacky adhesive or coupling system that retains utensil  615  to protective layer  335  in addition to or in lieu of the nicks  620 . 
     The present invention may be implemented using virtually any scoring pattern appropriate to form the desired constructed utensil. Some of these utensils and some scoring patterns are set forth and described in the incorporated patent applications; it being understood that additional patterns are possible. In the implementation illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the scoring pattern is produced by a debossing process that produces the scores that can propagate a folding of utensil  615  to produce the desired three-dimensional bowl, for example. In utensil  615 , a lateral score  625  (or a thumb-hole as described herein) near a back of a handle portion (an edge portion) defines a bend for tab  610  to allow it to bend upwardly toward an opening of the container when installed to allow the user to grip and extract all or a portion of assembly  615 . As illustrated, in some implementations tab  610  allows utensil to be concurrently detached from the remainder of blank  605  and peeled away from protective layer  335 . Removal of utensil  615  from second embodiment of assembly  310  would reveal of portion of protective layer  335  similar to  FIG. 5  except providing a window shape conforming to utensil  615  instead of utensil  415 . 
     The disclosed constructible utensils are generally representative of a wide range of constructible utensils, some of which have been illustrated and described in related patents and patent applications. These related patents and patent applications include U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,381, D646,529, and D651,480, and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/357,557, 61/699,808, 61/699,787, 61/712,610, 13/797,446, and 61/794,880, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference thereto in their entireties for all purposes. Other utensil shapes are possible in addition to those described, such as utensils including lateral handle/bowl free edges that straight and roughly parallel, to wasp-waisted (narrower at an intermediate portion) or bulging (wider at an intermediate portion) contours, as well as widened handles and or bowls. 
     The utensils include a deformable sheet that defines a handle and an operational element in which one or more scores, both straight and curved, are cooperatively provided on the sheet. The one or more scores enable deformation of the handle and/or the operational element(s) to convert the utensil into a strong, sturdy, and functional implement sufficient to meet the required application. The utensils may include a generally “bullet” shaped perimeter having a longitudinal folding axis about which the utensil is generally symmetric. Such a perimeter may be formed from a shape that is about 1.25 inches wide and about 3.125 inches long (the “bullet” shaped perimeter including a generally rectangular body that is about 1.25 inches×about 2.5625 inches and a semi-disk at one end of the rectangle having a radius of about 0.5625 inches). Preferably the stock material of the preferred embodiments have a thickness ranging between about 14-18 point caliper, though other thicknesses may be appropriate, depending upon design considerations. Scores and any desired indicia may be added before, during, or after formation. Preferably any ink for the indicia are non-toxic vegetable-based dyes. Some of the embodiments benefit from a coating to improve mouth-feel and/or provide a moisture-barrier to extend use for constructible utensils, such as those expected to be used for minutes instead of seconds. As noted, other sizes, configurations, and arrangements for utensil  100  are within the scope of the present invention. 
     In one embodiment, the unconstructed utensil is provided on a planar sheet made of the requisite material (i.e., an appropriately green/sustainable material) that may be processed to enhance function (e.g., coated with environmentally appropriate material) to resist premature degradation during use (e.g., a moisture-barrier) or it may be manufactured of a moisture-barrier material (e.g., calcium carbonate), collectively a coating, or inherent characteristic or other moisture protection system is referred to as moisture-barrier property. Thus, quantities of the unconstructed material achieve a far greater packing density as compared to pre-constructed utensils, which saves money on shipping and storage because of the smaller cube size. For many applications, the handle and operational elements are minimalist in material cost while maximizing structural strength and user-experience consistent with the intended use all the while having a smaller carbon footprint. 
     The handle, typically with one or more curved scores that define a folding axis, is operated by bringing lateral portions closer together out of the plane (e.g., folding or otherwise deforming) the handle along the one or more curved scores. This folding induces a responsive distortion/deformation of the operational element to create the desired functional element. The curved score(s), in cooperation with the structural organization and composition, produce a constructed utensil that meets or exceeds performance of conventional preformed disposable/single-use utensils. This provides a superior option over conventional constructed utensils because the user gains the advantage of an improved single-use application while the utensil is eco-friendly as it has a minimalist design that is effective and capable of being made compostable and/or recyclable with recyclable, sustainable, renewable resources. These constructible utensils may be particularly configured for specific applications, including tasting, stirring, spreading, consuming harder/firmer foodstuffs, “fork-like” utensil, and the like. 
     Manufacturers have an option of configuring the base material, the periphery boundary, the placement and orientation of scores, and any coating to customize the final design in a wide variety of ways. As further explained herein, the user-constructible utensils include tasters, spreaders, stirrers that can have appropriately shaped handles and operational elements (e.g., bowls for a tasting spoon) that have the desired capacity, shape, and mouth-feel. Some bowls may have a deep configuration for more capacity while others may be shallower and sturdier to serve dense/hard foodstuff (e.g., ice cream). The fundamental teachings herein are adaptable to a wide-variety of user-constructible utensils for a wide-variety of tasks. In some cases, the utensil doubles as a dispensing mechanism, in lieu of a cup, which is particularly important for applications that use a utensil along with a cup and/or plate/napkin, cracker, or the like, providing valuable cost-savings. 
     The utensil assemblies may be produced by a rotary printing process. A die-cut system may produces a matrix defining a set of constructible utensils assemblies each cycle. In a rotary die-cutting process, a roll of appropriate foundation material (e.g., paperstock) of the appropriate width and thickness is fed into a rotary press as a web. That rotary press uses a rotary die to print, score, and cut the web as desired. The rotary die includes a number of steel rules that define each utensil assembly and utensil by embossing the scores and cutting the perimeter. 
     The particular constructible utensils illustrated in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 6  are simply illustrative implementations and other perimeter shapes and score patterns may be used as part of the disclosed constructible utensil assembly, some of which are disclosed or suggested in the incorporated patent applications. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an improved three-part parfait container  700  and  FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded view of improved three-part parfait container  700 . Three-part parfait container  700  includes a main container  705  defining a primary holding volume  710  accessed through a top opening  715  and a modified tray insert  720  defining a secondary holding volume  725  accessed through a second opening  730 , tray insert  720  extending into primary holding volume  710  while simultaneously functioning as a primary closure system for primary holding volume  710  that closes, secures, and seals top opening  715 . A spoon lid  735  is used as a secondary closure system to close, secure and seal second opening  730 . Spoon lid  735  includes a constructible eating utensil that is available to the consumer to prepare (e.g., mix) and consume the foodstuff. This configuration uses three elements to achieve the functions of the prior art solution while also including an on-package constructible utensil which in some contexts is an improvement over existing solutions employing supplemental spoon lid solutions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , main container  705  includes a first rim perimeter  805  around top opening  715  that serves as a first part of the primary closure system. Tray insert  720  includes a second rim perimeter  810  around second opening  730  that serves as a second part, complementary to the first part, of the primary closure system. Second rim perimeter  810  engages and locks to first rim perimeter  805  to close and seal top opening  815 . There are many different primary closure systems that may be used to hold contents into primary holding volume  710  and secure tray insert  720  to main container  705 . Tray insert  720  functions as both a lid and a secondary holding volume for three-part parfait container  700 . 
     Spoon lid  735  includes a constructible utensil that has a perimeter sized and implemented to securely close and seal second opening  730 . Second opening  730  may have virtually any opening perimeter shape, generally circular, rectilinear, oval, or the like, and spoon lid  735  will have a complementary perimeter to match. As illustrated, spoon lid  735  includes at least one lateral fold score  815  wherein a bowl portion  820  hingedly folds back 180 degrees against a handle portion  825  to provide a shortened length. A plurality of other score patterns, such as described in the incorporated patent applications, enable deformation of handle portion  825  to propagate into a three-dimensional bowl-producing deformation of bowl portion  820 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, bowl portion  820  folds under handle portion  825  so it is within second holding volume  725  when spoon lid  735  closes and secures second opening  730 . In this way bowl portion  820  may be sanitary and not require additional safety wrapping. In  FIG. 7 , a top surface  740  of spoon lid  735  may be provided with a pull tab (not shown) to allow spoon lid  735  to be opened and removed from second opening  730 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 - FIG. 10 , folding bowl portion  820  against handle portion  825  along fold score  815  provides folded spoon lid  735  having a flat chord segment. Second opening  730  is provided with complementary shape accommodating this flat chord segment and the entire perimeter. 
       FIG. 9 - FIG. 10  illustrate representative options, among other non-illustrated options, for an unfolded spoon lid for use as a constructible utensil in the improved parfait container illustrated in  FIG. 7 - FIG. 8 . These are simply representative constructible utensils as many other different configurations may be used for spoon lid  735  to simultaneously close second opening  730  and function as a utensil for use in cooperation with container  700 , even when container  700  is used for something other than a parfait implementation. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a first embodiment for spoon lid  735 ; and  FIG. 10  illustrates a second embodiment for spoon lid  735 . The particular embodiments of  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10  are described in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/797,446, hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. In addition, there are other applications detailing features and options for spoon lid  735 , including U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/357,557 filed 24 Jan. 2012, U.S. patent application 61/820,667 filed 7 May 2013, US patent application 61/712,610 filed 11 Oct. 2012, and International patent application PCT/US13/64689 filed 11 Oct. 2013, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes. Spoon lid  135  may include measure scoop characteristics, some of which are detailed in one or more of the incorporated patent applications. 
     Top surface  740  may optionally be used for printing marketing and/or informational content that is sometimes applied to a top sticker or overwrap (that is no longer required with this implementation). Top surface  740  may be beautifully printed and offer this further advantage when the conventional top sticker is not required or otherwise desired. 
       FIG. 11 - FIG. 12  illustrate representative options, among other non-illustrated options, for an inset perimeter of tray insert corresponding to the spoon lid options illustrated in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , respectively,  FIG. 11  illustrates a first embodiment for an inset perimeter corresponding to the first embodiment of the spoon lid illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; and  FIG. 12  illustrates a second embodiment for an inset perimeter corresponding to the second embodiment of the spoon lid illustrated in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 11  includes a top plan view of tray insert  720  having an inset perimeter  1105  closely matching a folded perimeter of a spoon lid  735  from  FIG. 9  disposed in a folded mode. An inset rim is disposed around inset perimeter  1105  that provides a seating ledge upon which the folded perimeter rests to maintain folded spoon lid  735  at or near the opening of tray insert  720 . Spoon lid  735  includes a food engaging portion (e.g., an end portion disposed opposite of the handle portion that forms a portion of a bowl when spoon lid  735  is folded along its longitudinal axis) that is folded under the handle portion when spoon lid  735  is installed in tray insert  720 . This helps to preserve the sanitary nature of the bowl portion and can allow for deployment without a further protective overwrap or protective element, such as when spoon lid  735  is installed using a press fit frictional engagement with inset perimeter  1205  to maintain spoon lid  735  in position closing the secondary top opening of tray insert  720 . 
       FIG. 12  includes a top plan view of tray insert  720  having an inset perimeter  1205  closely matching a folded perimeter of a spoon lid  735  from  FIG. 10  disposed in a folded mode. An inset rim is disposed around inset perimeter  1205  that provides a seating ledge upon which the folded perimeter rests to maintain folded spoon lid  735  at or near the opening of tray insert  720 . Spoon lid  735  includes a food engaging portion (e.g., an end portion disposed opposite of the handle portion that forms a portion of a bowl when spoon lid  735  is folded along its longitudinal axis) that is folded under the handle portion when spoon lid  735  is installed in tray insert  720 . This helps to preserve the sanitary nature of the bowl portion and can allow for deployment without a further protective overwrap or protective element, such as when spoon lid  735  is installed using a press fit frictional engagement with inset perimeter  1205  to maintain spoon lid  735  in position closing the secondary top opening of tray insert  720 . 
     Further included in tray insert  720  illustrated in  FIG. 12  are a series of under-cuts  1210  distributed around inset perimeter  1205 . These under-cuts receive portions of the folded perimeter of spoon lid  735  and help to secure spoon lid  735  in place, in lieu of, or supplementary to, any frictional press fit engagement. Also illustrated in  FIG. 12  is use of a pull tab  1215  that facilitates gripping and removal of spoon lid  735  from tray insert  720 . Tab  1215  may be integrated into the handle portion of spoon lid  735  or provided as part of tray insert  720 . Under-cuts  1210  and/or tab  1215  may be used with others of the embodiments of the described herein, including that illustrated in  FIG. 11  and/or  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a third embodiment for an inset perimeter corresponding to a popout embodiment of a constructible utensil illustrated herein, for example,  FIG. 4 , installed as a secondary closure system to close, secure and seal the second opening of a tray insert.  FIG. 13  includes a top plan view of tray insert  720  having an inset perimeter  1305  closely matching a perimeter of a disposable constructible utensil assembly, such as disposable constructible utensil assembly  310 . An inset rim is disposed around inset perimeter  1305  that provides a seating ledge upon which the perimeter rests to maintain assembly  310  at or near the opening of tray insert  720 . Assembly  310  may be installed using a press fit frictional engagement with inset perimeter  1305  to maintain assembly  310  in position closing the secondary top opening of tray insert  720 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a fourth embodiment for an inset perimeter corresponding to a plain blank installed as a secondary closure system to close, secure and seal the second opening of a tray insert.  FIG. 14  includes a top plan view of tray insert  720  having an inset perimeter  1405  closely matching a perimeter of a disposable paperboard blank  1410 . An inset rim is disposed around inset perimeter  1405  that provides a seating ledge upon which the perimeter rests to maintain blank  1410  at or near the opening of tray insert  720 . Blank  1410  may be installed using a press fit frictional engagement with inset perimeter  1405  to maintain blank  1410  in position closing the secondary top opening of tray insert  720 . The fourth embodiment provides any utensil, constructible or not, in some other fashion other than using a spoon lid or constructible assembly. Blank  1410  is illustrated including a pull tab  1415 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a side elevation sectional view of a second embodiment for a closure system  1500  including an adhesive coupler. In the embodiments described herein including use of a closure structure, for example a spoon lid, a constructible assembly, a blank disk or the like, to close an opening, for example a primary opening of a main container or a secondary opening of a secondary container, tray insert, or the like, there may be a need for an alternative system or process to maintain the closure structure in place. Closure system  1500  includes a container  1505  (primary or secondary) that includes an opening  1510  sealed with a closure structure  1515 . In this implementation, a series of releasable adhesive “dots”  1520  are used to attach closure structure  1515  to the top of container  1505 . Sealing in this context may vary from a food-tight seal (such as when container  1505  includes solid material) to a fluid-tight seal (such as when container  1505  includes a fluid material). The adhesive may be disposed in a continuous pattern over all or a portion of the top of container  1505  in addition to or in lieu of dots of adhesive. Some implementations may include a pull tab as described herein to aid a user in removing closure structure  1515  from the top of container  1505 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a side elevation sectional view of a first embodiment for a closure system  1600  including an over cap coupler. In the embodiments described herein including use of a closure structure, for example a spoon lid, a constructible assembly, a blank disk or the like, to close an opening, for example a primary opening of a main container or a secondary opening of a secondary container, tray insert, or the like, there may be a need for an alternative system or process to maintain the closure structure in place. 
     Closure system  1600  includes a container  1605  (primary or secondary) that includes an opening  1610  sealed with a closure structure  1615  and further including an over cap coupler  1620 . In this implementation, over cap  1620  may be used to attach closure structure  1615  to the top of container  1605 , used as a supplemental attachment, and/or may be used as sanitary barrier. Sealing in this context (of closure structure  1615  with respect to container  1605  and/or of over cap coupler  1620  with respect to closure structure  1615  or container  1605 ) may vary from a food-tight seal (such as when container  1505  includes solid material) to a fluid-tight seal (such as when container  1605  includes a fluid material). Some implementations may include a pull tab as described herein to aid a user in removing over cap coupler  1620  and/or closure structure  1615  from the top of container  1605 . An implementation of an over cap coupler may be used with other illustrated embodiments, including the embodiment of  FIG. 15 . Over cap coupler  1620  may include a physical cap, a sealing film, or a foil overwrap. Further illustrated in  FIG. 16  is an example of an inset rim  1625  that supports a perimeter of closure structure  1615 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a side elevation sectional view of a closure system  1700  having all or a portion of a wall (e.g., sidewall, lid, and/or bottom) configured as a multiwall construction and  FIG. 18  illustrates a plan view of an inner wall of a double wall lid implementation. Double walls, such as for example double wall lids are used for hot products like oatmeal. These double wall lids allow for ventilation holes to be off-set allowing steam and hot/moist air to escape while inhibiting solid matter from entering into the container, and/or food from exiting, through the ventilation mechanism. A conventional solution provides each layer of the multilayer construction as solid panels with the addition of perforations or other apertures forming the ventilation mechanism. As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , one of these layers may be provided with a constructible utensil (a utensil-dispensing layer) allowing the manufacturer to provide a user with a utensil without addition of a new layer or structure for the utensil. This solution provides one of layers with a dual purpose: forming a portion of the double wall structure such as for the food preparation step(s) while also providing the user with a constructible utensil for consumption of the contents of the container, such as a foodstuff utensil for foodstuff or a measuring utensil for other container contents, or other constructible utensil. The constructible utensils may be of the form described herein or in the incorporated applications and patents. This is potentially very valuable to manufacturers who provide both a double wall container and/or lid and a utensil in addition to the container/lid as they can configure a portion of one of the wall layers (e.g., an inside layer of a multiwall lid or an outer layer of a multiwall container or the like) with a constructible utensil or constructible utensil assembly. 
     Closure system  1700  includes a container  1705  (primary or secondary) that includes an opening  1710  closed with a double wall lid  1715  attached to sidewalls of container  1705  with a rolled lid rim  1720  around a perimeter of container  1705 . Double wall lid  1715  includes two layers: an outer vent lid  1725  and an inner constructible utensil assembly  1730  spaced apart from outer vent lid  1725  forming an air space therebetween. Elements  1735  represent any venting structures and it/their structure and arrangement in outer vent lid  1725  which may be implemented in many different ways from that illustrated in  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates an implementation of inner constructible utensil assembly  1730  similar to assembly  310  illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  except as noted herein, including providing a popout constructible structure  1805  removably defined within a blank  1810  defining a removal slot  1815  (e.g., a thumb-hole) in lieu of a pull tab. An advantage assembly  1730  in the context of a double wall lid is that assembly  1730  does not require any protective laminate or film and thus may be made simpler and more cost-effectively (though some implementations may desire to continue to use a laminate, film, or other layer). There are many different configurations for structure  1805 , including size, perimeter shape, nick-attachment, and scoring patterns, some of which have been disclosed herein and in the incorporated patent applications. One benefit of use slot  1815  in lieu of a pull tab is that the it can be easier for a user as well as simpler and less expensive to manufacture, particularly for some manufacturers who do have a capability to manufacture assembly  1730  (or  310 ) with a pull tab as described. Slot  1815  may be used in lieu of the pull tab illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . 
     A simple implementation of a double-wall lid is to add an independent spoon lid, such as one of those described herein, into the lid. The spoon lid preferably has an outer perimeter closely matching an inner perimeter of the lid so that the spoon lid is secured by this press fit (e.g., frictional force) arrangement. Providing the spoon lid with the folded-over bowl portion between the handle portion and the exterior vent wall helps to protect the bowl portion and maintain it in a clean and sanitary condition. 
     The system and methods above has been described in general terms as an aid to understanding details of preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. Some features and benefits of the present invention are realized in such modes and are not required in every case. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. 
     Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein is generally intended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear. 
     The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the invention is to be determined solely by the appended claims.