Abstract:
The container cover and method of consuming food items allows a plurality of food items to be stored, transported, and consumed in a convenient package. The container cover secures food items in a container by covering an opening of the container while providing one or more compartments to store other food items. The compartments may comprise an opening to allow food items to be placed within the compartments. The compartments can be opened such that the food items stored therein are released into the container with little or no risk of spillage. The compartments may be opened in various ways such as by puncturing, tearing, or pushing open a portion of the compartments. A cap may be used to cover the opening of one or more compartments.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to food storage containers and specifically to a novel container cover with integrated compartments for storing separate food items. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Traditionally, food items such as take out, packed lunch, frozen dinners, and the like have been stored in individual containers for convenient and spill free transport. For example, some known containers for food items include bags, foil, wax paper, plastic or other rigid or semi-rigid containers. These traditional containers may be well suited for storing and transporting food items. However, they are not well suited for and generally not designed to preserve the quality, taste, freshness of certain mixed food items stored therein. This is especially so for food items with sauces, dressing, and the like. 
         [0005]    For example, salad with dressing cannot be stored in a traditional container for more than a short period of time because the dressing will quickly cause the salad to lose its crispness. Likewise, cereal with milk cannot be stored in a traditional container because the cereal will rapidly become soggy. In other situations, it may be desirable to keep hot and cold food items or dry and liquid food items separate until the items are ready to be eaten. 
         [0006]    It is known that this may be accomplished by utilizing separate and distinct containers to store food items. At the time of consumption a person may then open each separate container and combine the food items. In this manner, the taste, freshness, and quality are preserved. However, this requires separate individual containers which wastes material and is inconvenient. In addition, when traveling or taking out food from a restaurant, one of the multiple containers may be left behind or forgotten thereby leaving a food item without its associated sauce, dressing, or the like. In this case, a person may decide the food item is not edible and the food item may be wasted or a return trip is required. 
         [0007]    Thus, what is disclosed herein is a novel container cover with integrated compartments for storing separate food items. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A container cover for storing and transporting one or more food items is provided herein. The container cover may be used to store food items such that they remain separated until use. The container cover allows separate food items to be transported easily without the requirement of multiple individual containers. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the container cover comprises a body configured to cover a container, and one or more compartments extending downward from the body. The compartments may comprise an opening to allow one or more food items to be placed within the one or more compartments, and a penetrable portion below the opening configured to release a food item into the container. A cap configured to cover the opening of the compartments may be provided as well. It is noted that in some embodiments the container cover may comprise a rim around its planar body configured to fit on the container. 
         [0010]    One or more related food items complimentary to a food item in the container may be provided in the compartments of the container cover. It is contemplated that the related food items are the same type of food item having different flavors. Of course, unrelated food items may be stored with the container cover as well. In fact, it is also contemplated that any type of food item may be stored with the container cover. 
         [0011]    The planar body may be configured in various ways. In one embodiment, the planar body may be removed from the container and reconnected to the container. The planar body may be configured to form a friction fit with the container. 
         [0012]    The compartments may be configured in various ways as well. For example, the one or more compartments may comprise a releasable portion and a hinge whereby the releasable portion is attached by the hinge. In addition, the penetrable portion of the one or more compartments may comprise a puncturable material. Further, the penetrable portion of the one or more compartments may comprise at least one score line. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the container cover comprises a container having a mouth and storing a first food item, a planar body attached to the container covering the mouth, a plurality of compartments extending from the planar body, and at least one cap attached to the planar body configured to seal the one or more compartments. The one or more compartments may be configured to release at least one second food item into the container when opened. 
         [0014]    The compartments may be configured to release food items in various ways. For example, the compartments may comprise at least one puncturable portion which allow the compartments to be punctured. The compartments may also or alternatively comprise at least one score line. Further, the compartments may comprise a releasable portion and a hinge whereby the releasable portion is attached by the hinge. 
         [0015]    A method for consuming a plurality of food items using a container cover is also provided herein. In one embodiment, the method comprises placing one or more food items in a container, covering the container with a container cover comprising one or more compartments, placing one or more other food items in the one or more compartments through an opening of the one or more compartments, and covering the opening of the one or more compartments with one or more caps. It is contemplated that the one or more other food items may be complementary to the one or more food items in the container and are placed separately in the one or more compartments. 
         [0016]    The food items may then be subsequently eaten. For instance, in one embodiment the method includes removing the one or more caps to access the one or more compartments, opening the one or more compartments to release the one or more other food items into the container, removing the container cover, and eating the one or more food items and the one or more other food items from the container. 
         [0017]    If it is desired that the food items be mixed, the one or more caps may be reconnected to cover the one or more compartments and the one or more food items and the one or more other food items may be agitated in the container to mix the one or more food items and the one or more other food items together. 
         [0018]    According to the method, the compartments may be opened in various ways. For example, opening the one or more compartments may comprise puncturing the one or more compartments with an implement. Also, opening the one or more compartments may comprise tearing the one or more compartments along one or more score lines. Furthermore, opening the one or more compartments may comprise pushing open a releasable portion of the one or more compartments. 
         [0019]    Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary container cover according to the invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 2A-2B  are top views of exemplary container covers having various compartments according to the invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 3A-3C  are cross section side views of exemplary container covers according to the invention; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 4A-4C  are cross section side views of exemplary compartments according to the invention; and 
           [0025]      FIGS. 5A-5C  are cross section side views illustrating an exemplary container cover in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. 
         [0027]    The container cover disclosed herein is generally configured to securely store one or more food items in one or more separate compartments. The container cover may also be configured to cover an opening or mouth of an existing container thus providing a lid for the container. In this manner, the container cover stores one or more food items in its separate compartments while sealing an opening of a container. It is contemplated that the container cover may be used with any container, now known or later developed, which has an opening that may be covered or sealed by the container cover, such as but not limited to, bowls, cups, saucers, plates, pots, pans, TUPPERWARE® (trademark of Tupperware Brands Corporation), and the like. This is because the container cover may comprise a rim and/or have a shape which allows it to cover or seal a variety of containers, as will be described further below. 
         [0028]    Generally, a food item is any edible material, flavoring, ingredient, or the like. Though described herein with specific examples of food items, it is noted that all manner of food items and combinations thereof may be stored by the container cover. In addition, it is contemplated that, in one or more embodiments, the container cover may be used with related food items such as a meal and its condiments; different courses of the same meal; sauces, flavorings, or seasonings for a meal; or a combination thereof. The related food items will typically be food items that are complementary to one another in that they provide a better or more desirable taste to a user. It is also noted that food items in various states, such as frozen, raw, cooked, steamed, cold, warm, or hot, may be stored by the container cover. 
         [0029]    The container cover provides many advantages. As stated, the container cover securely stores one or more food items in addition to securing food items in a container. The container cover may comprise one or more compartments and thus the food items may be stored separate from one another and separate from any food items in a container. This is advantageous in that the one or more food items can remain separate until a user decides to mix or eat the food items. For instance, dry items may remain separate from wet items, hot items separate from cold items, differently flavored items may remain separate, or a combination thereof. In this manner, the quality, crispness, freshness, and taste of one or more food items is preserved. 
         [0030]    In the case of a salad for example, the dressing, croutons, tomatoes, etc. . . . may be stored separately while the lettuce is stored in the container. The container cover, in this embodiment, would provide separate compartments for the dressing, croutons, tomatoes, etc. . . . and provide a lid to secure the lettuce in the container. In this manner, the crispness of the lettuce and croutons are preserved and the user may enjoy a fresh salad at his or her convenience. 
         [0031]    Another advantage which will be discussed below is that the container cover may include one or more compartments which a user may puncture or otherwise open to release the food items stored therein. The one or more compartments are beneficial in that the user may open a compartment to mix one or more food items together prior to eating them. To illustrate, in the above example, the dressing compartment may be opened so that the dressing may be mixed with the lettuce. 
         [0032]    The one or more compartments are also beneficial in that one or more separate food items may be stored by a single container cover. With traditional containers, food items, even when they are intended to be eaten together, are stored in separate containers. This is undesirable because it is inconvenient to carry multiple individual containers. In addition, the individual containers may be forgotten or otherwise become separated, making the food items inedible or at least undesirable. For example, ketchup or other sauce for french fries may be forgotten or lost making the fries less desirable to some. The container cover herein prevents such a situation by storing one or more separate food items within its attached compartments. In this manner, individual compartments and thus the food items therein cannot be forgotten or lost. 
         [0033]    It is contemplated that the container cover may be resistant to hot and cold temperatures in one or more embodiments. In this manner, the container cover may be microwave safe, freezer safe, or even safe to use over the stove. This is yet another advantage in that the container cover may be used to prepare, such as by heating up, one or more food items for consumption without first removing the food items. 
         [0034]    The container cover will now be described according to the figures.  FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplary container cover  108 , a cap  112 , and a container  104 . As can be seen, the container cover  108  is configured to cover the container&#39;s  104  opening or mouth  132  and store one or more food items in one or more compartments  116 . As stated, the compartments  116  may be used to store various food items. It is contemplated that the compartments  116  may also be used to store non-food items such as but not limited to one or more napkins, straws, utensils, and the like. 
         [0035]    In one or more embodiments, the container cover  108  may comprise a body  120 . In general, the body  120  supports the compartments  116  of the container cover. The compartments  116  may be integrally formed into the body  120  or may be attached to the body in one or more embodiments. The cup  112  may be ridged plastic or paper, or flexible plastic as foil. 
         [0036]    The body  120  may be a planer structure and may be sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the compartments  116  and any food items within the compartments. It is contemplated that the body  120  may be a non-rigid or flexible material as well. In these embodiments, the body  120  may be tensioned across the mouth  132  of a container  104  such that the body, though flexible, can support one or more compartments  116  and their food items. It is contemplated that the body  120  may be formed from various materials including but not limited to plastic, metal, and paper. 
         [0037]    The container cover  108  may also comprise a rim  124  in one or more embodiments. In general, the rim  124  allows the container cover  108  to attach to a container  104 . In one embodiment, the rim  124  is sized and shaped to form a friction fit with a container  104 . For example, the rim  124  may form a friction fit similar to that of known lids such as TUPPERWARE® lids. In another embodiment, the rim  124  may include one or more threads which conform to threads of a container  104 . In this manner, the container cover  108  may be attached to a container  104  by screwing the container cover onto the container. It is contemplated that the rim  124  may also be used to reinforce the structure or rigidity of the container cover  108  in one or more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, the rim  124  allows the container cover  108  to be reusable, such as described below, by allowing the container cover to be removed from and then reconnected on various containers. 
         [0038]    It is noted that a rim  124  may not be provided in some embodiments because the container cover  108  may be directly attached to a container  104 . An example of this is shown in  FIG. 3A . For example, a container cover  108  may be attached by one or more adhesives, welds, or other fasteners to a container  104  such that the container cover covers the container&#39;s mouth  132 . In one or more embodiments, the body  120  of the container cover  108 , or a portion thereof, may be adhered, welded, or otherwise attached to a container  104 . 
         [0039]    The compartments  116  may be configured in various ways. In general, a compartment  116  will comprise a structure having sides and a bottom into which one or more food (or other) items may be placed. A compartment  116  may be a variety of shapes. For example, the compartments  116  of  FIG. 1  are bowl-like shapes. It will be understood that a compartment  116  may be configured in any shape capable of storing a food item, such as but not limited to those shown in  FIG. 2A-2B . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 2A-2B  are top views of exemplary container covers  108  having compartments  116  in a variety of shapes. As can be seen, the compartments  116  may be shaped and sized to store various quantities and types of food items. It is contemplated that, in one or more embodiments, a compartment  116  may be configured such that its shape conforms to the food (or other) item to be stored therein. It is also contemplated that one or more compartments  116  of any various shapes and sizes may be provided on a single container cover  108  such as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B .  FIGS. 4A-4C , discussed in greater detail below, illustrate embodiments with rounded and rectangular cross sections. Of course, cross sections of other shapes, including shapes that conform to food or other items, may be used as well. 
         [0041]    In one or more embodiments, the compartments  116  are water or air tight to prevent leakage of liquid food items, to preserve the freshness of one or more items, or both. In other embodiments, the compartments  116  may include one or more holes to allow ventilation for certain types of food items. It will be understood that a compartment  116  may be formed from various materials such as but not limited to plastic, metal, paper, or a combination thereof. It is contemplated that a compartment  116  may be formed from food safe materials and that the material chosen to form a compartment may be selected based on one or more characteristics of the food item(s) to be stored. For instance, plastic or aluminum foil may be selected for a compartment  116  used to store liquid food items while wax paper or other paper may be selected for dry food items. Any combination is contemplated. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , each compartment  116  may comprise an opening  128  which allows food items to be placed in a compartment. To prevent food items from leaking or falling out of a compartment&#39;s  116  opening  128 , a cap  112  may be provided to cover the opening of one or more compartments. A cap  112  may be configured to cover a plurality of openings  128 . For instance, the cap  112  of  FIG. 1  is large enough to cover the openings  128  of all the compartments  116  when placed over the container cover  108 . It is noted, that a cap  112  may also be configured to cover a single opening  128 . For example, a cap  112  may be a similar size and shape as a compartment&#39;s  116  opening  128 . In one or more embodiments, a plurality of caps  112  may be provided to cover one or more compartments  116  of a single container cover  108 . A cap  112  may be formed from any material capable of securing a food item within a compartment  116  such as the materials used to form a compartment. It is noted that by covering an opening, a cap may also seal the opening such that food items cannot leak, spill, or otherwise come out of the opening. 
         [0043]    A cap  112  may attach to a container cover  108  in various ways. In one embodiment, such as the embodiment of  FIG. 3A , a cap  112  may be attached by one or more adhesives, welds, or both. The cap  112  may also be taped to a container cover  108 . In these embodiments, the cap  112  may be a planar sheet adhered, welded, or taped to a container cover  108 . The cap  112  may generally conform to the size and shape of the container cover  108  to cover all openings  128  of a container cover, or may be sized and shaped to cover one or more individual openings. To illustrate, the cap  112  of  FIG. 1  has a similar shape and size to its associated container cover  108  thus allowing it to cover all the openings  128  of the cover. 
         [0044]    In another embodiment, the cap  112  may be attached by friction such as by a threaded connector or a snap or other friction fit such as shown in  FIG. 3B . In these embodiments, the cap  112  may be a planar structure having a lip  304  where the lip has features allowing the cap  112  to frictionally attach to a container cover  108 . For example, the lip  304  may include threads which conform to threads of a container cover  108  or an opening. The lip  304  may alternatively provide a snap or other friction fit similar to known removable lids such as TUPPERWARE® lids. In one embodiment, like the embodiment of  FIG. 3B , the lip  304  may be configured to provide a snap or other friction fit to the rim  124  of a container cover  108 . The center area of the cap  112  may have raised portions that correspond to the openings  116  to seal the openings. 
         [0045]    Various combinations of caps  112  may be used with a container cover  108 . For instance, in one embodiment, one or more caps  112  are provided to seal the openings of the compartments  116  while an additional cap is provided to cover the container cover  108 . It is contemplated that the additional cap  112  may be a removable and reconnectable cap while the other caps may be planar sheets that may only be removed to access food items within the compartments  116 . In this manner, the openings of the compartments are covered by at least two caps  112 . This is illustrated in  FIG. 3C  which shows caps  308  covering the openings of the compartments  116  and an additional cap  312  configured to cover the container cover  108 . The additional cap  312  allows the container to be covered even after one or more of the other caps  308  have been removed or even punctured or opened because the additional cap may be reconnectable in one or more embodiments. 
         [0046]    It is contemplated that a cap  112  may comprise one or more gaskets in some embodiments. The gaskets may conform to the openings of the one or more compartments  116  to allow the cap  112  to better cover the compartments. The gaskets may be formed from flexible materials such as rubber, plastic, silicon, or the like to allow the gaskets to form a tight seal around the opening of a compartment. It is also contemplated that the cap  112  may be configured to be removed from and reconnected to a container in one or more embodiments. For example, the cap  112  may be attached by resilient adhesives or a friction fit which allow the cap  112  to be reconnected the container cover after it has been removed. 
         [0047]    Once sealed into a compartment  116  by a cap  112 , the food items may be stored for future release by a user. Typically, the food items will be released by puncturing or otherwise opening a compartment  116 . As will be described further below, compartments  116  may be configured to facilitate their opening by a user in various ways. In another embodiment, the compartment  116  may comprise portions that may be punctured, removed such as a removable cup, or opened. For example, a compartment  116  or a portion thereof may be formed from penetrable material that can be torn, cut, punctured, or pierced to release a food item. 
         [0048]    A compartment  116  may also include perforations, creases, or one or more thinner sections which allow a portion of the compartment to be opened. For example, a compartment  116  may be opened by puncturing, tearing, or removing a portion of the compartment. In some embodiments a compartment  116  may not be closable once it is opened such as where the compartment is opened by puncturing or tearing. In these embodiments, the container cover  108  may be configured for a single use (i.e. be disposable). It is noted that a single use container cover  108  is well suited for fast food or take out because both the container  104  and container cover may be thrown away or recycled after use. 
         [0049]    Of course, the container cover  108  may be configured for more than a single use (i.e. be reusable) in one or more embodiments. As will be described below, these embodiments will typically include compartments  116  that may be repeatedly opened and closed to allow for multiple uses. It will be understood that single use and multiple use container covers  108  may be interchangeably used with both disposable and non-disposable containers  104 . Typically, but not always, reusable embodiments of the container cover  108  will be formed from materials that can be cleaned for subsequent uses. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 4A-4C  are cross section side views of exemplary compartments  116  having score lines  404  which allow the compartments to be more easily opened. The score lines  404  may be perforations, creases, or thinner/weaker sections of the compartment  116 . It is noted that perforations may not be desired in embodiments where a food item, such as a liquid food item, would be able to escape through the perforations. Applying a force directly or indirectly to the score lines  404  may cause a releasable portion  408  of a compartment  116  to at least partially detach from the remainder of the compartment. In this way, the food items inside the compartment  116  may be released. 
         [0051]    For example, in the embodiments of  FIGS. 4A-4B , a user may apply a force to the releasable portion  408 , such as with a utensil, blade, or other implement, to at least partially detach the releasable portion from the remainder of the compartment  116 . As will be described further below, the utensil or other implement may be inserted through the compartment&#39;s  116  opening  128  to reach the releasable portion  408 . Of course, the user may puncture, tear, cut, or otherwise open the compartment  116  in areas besides the releasable portion  408 . It is noted that one or more score lines  404  may be provided in a single compartment  116  to the compartment to be easily opened. In addition, a score line  404  may extend a portion or the entire perimeter or circumference of a compartment  116  in one or more embodiments. 
         [0052]    In multiple use embodiments, such as the embodiment of  FIG. 4C , a compartment  116  may include a releasable portion  408  which may be opened and closed multiple times. In one embodiment, the releasable portion  408  may comprise a hinge  416  which allows the releasable portion to open and close. It is noted that the hinge  416  may be any structure which allows the releasable portion  408  to open and close while preventing the releasable portion from becoming detached from the container cover  108 . For example, the hinge  416  may comprise one or more sections of flexible plastic or the like. The hinge  416  may also prevent the releasable portion  408  from contacting or falling into food items when a compartment is opened. Though beneficial for the above reasons, a hinge  416  is not required in all embodiments. 
         [0053]    In one embodiment, such as a reusable embodiment, the releasable portion  408  includes or forms one or more seals  420  which allow the releasable portion to attach to the remainder of the compartment  116 . The seal  420  may also seal the releasable portion  408  to the remainder of the compartment  116  to prevent food items from leaking out. It is contemplated that the seal  420  may be broken and then resealed. The seal  420  may comprise a portion of the releasable portion  408  configured to frictionally fit the remainder of the compartment  116 . For example, the releasable portion may have an edge like that of a removable lid, such as like that of a TUPPERWARE® or other lid. 
         [0054]    One advantage of the container cover  108  and its compartments  116  is that food items are cleanly released into the container  104 . With traditional containers, a user must first open the separate container, and carefully pour food items prior to mixing them. The configuration of the compartments  116  ensures that food items only release into the container  104 . It is noted that in some embodiments the user may remove some of a food item prior to releasing it into the container  104 . In this manner, only the desired amount of a food item is released. For example, if only a small amount of dressing is desired the user may remove some of the dressing from the top of a compartment and then release the remaining dressing into the container  104  below. 
         [0055]    Another advantage of the container cover  108  and its compartments  116  is that the user may be provided a choice of which food items to release and which to leave in their compartments. For example, a salad may be provided with multiple dressings in separate compartments  116  and the user may choose which dressing or dressings to use with his or her salad. 
         [0056]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , it can be seen from the above that the container cover  108  may be used to secure one or more food items within a container  104  by covering a mouth  132  of the container. The container cover  108  also stores one or more food items separately within one or more compartments  116 . The compartments  116  may then be sealed by one or more caps  112  to prevent food items from falling or leaking out of the compartments. In this manner, the food items in the container  104  and the one or more compartments  116  can be stored in a single food storage apparatus comprising a container cover  108 , a container  104 , and a cap  112 . The food items may then be transported together while remaining stored separately the one or more compartments  116 . 
         [0057]    Operation of the container cover  108  will now be described with regard to  FIGS. 5A-5C .  FIG. 5A  illustrates an exemplary container cover  108  with two compartments  116  sealed by a cap  112 . The container cover  108  is attached to a container  104 . A first food item  504  is stored in the container  104  while a second food item  508  and a third food item  512  are stored in separate compartments  116  of the container cover  108 . The terms first, second, and third are used herein to give a name to the food items to aid in the description that follows. Thus, the first, second, and third food items may be the same or different types of food items and there may be multiple first, second, and third food items in one or more embodiments. 
         [0058]    The food items, when provided to a user, may already be secured in the container  104  and compartments  116  by a container cover  108  and cap  112 . For example, if used in a take out or to go setting, a restaurant may place and secure one or more food items into a container  104  and one or more compartments  116 . Similarly, if the container cover  108  is used for frozen foods, the food items may be placed, secured, and then frozen for later consumption by a user. It is noted that the user may also place and secure food items into a container  104 , one or more compartments  116 , or both to store the food items in some embodiments. 
         [0059]    When a user is ready to eat, he or she may release the food items in the compartments  116  and consume them with food items in the container  104 .  FIG. 5B  illustrates the release of food items according to one embodiment. As shown, the third food item  512  has been released by the user opening one of the compartments  116  with an implement  516  such as eating wear. As described above, the implement  516  may be used to apply a force which punctures, tears, or otherwise opens a compartment  116 . In  FIG. 5B , the user has forced the implement through a portion of the compartment  116  thus releasing the third food item  512  into the container  104  below. The second food item  508  has been released into the container  104  as well. As can be seen, the first food item  504 , second food item  508 , and third food item  512  are now combined in the container  104 . The container cover  108  may now be removed to allow the user unhindered access to the food items. The user may then stir, mix, or just consume the food items. 
         [0060]    In some embodiments, such as the embodiment of  FIG. 5B , a cap  112  may be removed prior to releasing food items from their compartments  116 . The user may then have access to the compartments  116 . As stated above, the user may then release the food items from their compartments  116 . In one embodiment, once the cap  112  is removed the user may push an implement into the bottom or other area of the compartment  116  until the compartment is punctured or otherwise opened, releasing its food items into the container  104  below. In another embodiment, a cap  112  may be punctured rather than removed. For example, the user may puncture the cap  112  near or at the opening of a compartment. The user may then access and/or puncture the compartment  116  through the punctured area of the cap  112 . In one embodiment, a user may push an implement through the cap  112  and then into a compartment  116  until the compartment is punctured. 
         [0061]    The cap  112  may be reconnected, such as shown in  FIG. 5C  to allow the food items to be tossed or mixed within the container  104 . For example, with a salad, the cap  112  may be reconnected to cover the open compartments  116  and the container&#39;s mouth  132 . Then the salad may be mixed by tossing or shaking it within the container  104 . In this manner, any salad ingredients such as dressing or croutons are mixed into the salad quickly and easily. Of course, other food items may be mixed in a similar manner once the cap  112  is reconnected. It is noted that, if desired, the container cover  108  may be removed prior to reconnecting the cap  112  to prevent and food items from getting caught in the open compartments  116 . 
         [0062]    It is noted that once the cap  112  is removed a user may have access to the food items within the container cover&#39;s  108  compartments  116 , and that the user may immediately consume these food items if desired. For example, one or more of the compartments  116  may contain an appetizer which the user may consume prior to consuming the food items stored in the container  104 . This illustrates another benefit of the container cover  104 . Namely, that an entire meal may be stored using the container cover  104 . For example, one or more compartments  116  may contain an appetizer, while one or more other compartments contain portions or sauces of the main course stored in the container. Dessert may also be stored in one or more of the compartments  116 . In this manner, an entire meal may be easily transported. 
         [0063]    While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, and embodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in any combination or arrangement.