Abstract:
A container is system is disclosed that includes multiple containers and a lid adapted to permit an interior container to hang from a master container. The interior container contains a fluid food substance and the master container includes a solid food substance.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/223,740, filed Jul. 8, 2009, entitled Food Product Container System, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of food storage and more specifically to the field of receptacles comprising sealed fluid containers and edible products. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Current snack packaging containers that provide a food compartment and distinct dip/condiment compartment lack the ability to detach the dip/condiment compartment from the main structure. The separate compartment that hold fluids apart from solid food components are unable to maximize the use of available internal space within the packaging material. Furthermore, present containers do not permit a consumer to effectively reseal the opened food product and simultaneous reseal from the food compartment and dip/condiment compartment. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention is directed to a container system and method for supplying a solid food item and fluid food item within a master container. The present invention is ideal for selling food items with separately packaged condiments as a single unit. 
         [0005]    The container system for preserving food products includes a master container, an interior container, and a lid. The master container includes a sidewall that is self-supporting. The sidewall forms a master aperture in the upper portions thereof. Surrounding the master aperture is an upper rib. 
         [0006]    The interior container includes a sidewall dimensioned to fit within said master aperture and that forms a central cavity. The interior container includes a rim positioned on the interior container sidewall such that none of the cavity extends above the rim. A removable seal covers the central cavity. 
         [0007]    The lid includes a resilient lower lip that protrudes downward. The lip is resilient and includes dimensions suitable to form an interference fit with the master container rib. Furthermore, the height dimensions of the lip are constructed to form a minimum clearance fit between the interior container rim and the lid. 
         [0008]    The method of the present invention relates to supplying solid food items with prepackaged fluid food items. Perimeter attributes of a master container rib and master container aperture are determined. Upon the master container rib a substantially planar rim of an interior container is placed. A lid is sealingly fitted upon the rib. 
         [0009]    These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive. Furthermore, some features may apply to certain versions of the invention, but not others. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the container system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the container system 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of interior container. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the container system. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a view of the method of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a basic embodiment of the container system  100  is shown. The master container  102  operates to receive and contain solid food items (not shown), e.g. chips, vegetables, fruit, etc. The master container  102  a master aperture  118  formed by the sidewall  114  of the master container  102 . Beneath the sidewall  114  is the master container bottom  116 . The master container sidewall  114  includes a ribbing  112  that extends about the periphery of the maser container sidewall  114  near the master container aperture  118 . The preferred ribbing  112  includes a single ridge arranged at the uppermost point of the master container sidewall  114 ; although, any protrusion or attachment structure fulfilling the objectives of the present invention will suffice. 
         [0016]    With further reference to  FIG. 3 , dimensioned to fit within the master container  102  is an interior container  104 . The interior container  104  includes an interior container sidewall  120  with diameter less than that of the master container sidewall diameter  114 . The interior container sidewall  120  supports a rim  110  that juts from the interior container sidewall  120 . The rim  110  extends from the sidewall  120  at least to the extent necessary to support the interior container upon the master container  102 , preferably upon the upper rib  112 . The rim  110  should be constructed of material, preferably a plastic, capable of supporting the weight of the interior container  104  and the material within the cavity (not shown) of the interior container. The interior cavity is covered by a seal  122 , preferably a sealed affixed by a removable adhesive. The seal may further include a tabbed outcropping  124  that permits a user to remove the seal  122 . 
         [0017]    When positioned upon the master container sidewall  114 , the interior container hangs thereon. It is further preferred that the interior container  104  include a sidewall  120  having at least a portion thereof includes a diameter that forms a minimum clearance fit with the master container sidewall  114 . Such close fitting prevents lateral motion of the interior container  104  within the master container  102 . The interior container preferably includes a liquid food item, e.g. condiments, juice, soda, sauce, and the like. A liquid food item includes any food or beverage with fluid attributes, including loose granular spices, e.g. sugar or salt. 
         [0018]    A lid  106  is positionable about the ribbing  112  of the master container sidewall  114 , preferably in an interference fit. An interference fit when used in the present disclosure refers to a fit in which a first component fits within an entrance of a second component and the entrance of the second component includes a diameter smaller than that of the diameter of the first component and pressure from the first component deforms the second component to accept the first component in a sealed fashion. A minimum clearance fit is a fit in which a first component only just fits into the entrance of a second component without modification of the structure of either the first or second component. The interior of the lid  106  includes a substantially planar surface that matches the preferred upper substantially planar surface dimensions of the interior container. 
         [0019]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , the preferred cooperation between the lid  106 , master container  102 , and interior container  104  is illustrated. The interior container  104  includes a substantially planar upper surface that preferably forms a fit with the substantially planar lower surface of the lid  106  that prevents substantial longitudinal motion of the interior container. The cavity  126  preferably hangs in its entirety below the rim  110  of the interior container  104 . It is preferred that at least a minimum clearance fit is formed between the upper portions of the interior container  104  and the lower portions of the lid  106 . The lid  106  includes a lip  108  that hangs downwardly from the lid  106 . The lip forms an interference fit with the ribbing  112  of the master container sidewall  114 , and preferably includes dimensions that, in the absence of a minimum clearance fit, and sufficient to prevent substantial lateral motion of the interior container  104 . Substantial lateral motion is motion sufficient to release portions of the rim  110  from portions of the master container sidewall  114 . It is preferred that any solid food  900 , positioned within the master container  102  include a height sufficient to have a proximity to the interior container that prevents substantial longitudinal motion of the solid food  900  within the master container  102 . In other words, the interior container  104  may act as a ceiling of the master container  102 . Substantial longitudinal motion in relation to the solid food is motion capable of disfiguring at least 25% of the food contents within the master container. Substantial motion of solid food contents will vary by solid food, e.g. chips may toleration less longitudinal motion than apple slices. 
         [0020]    Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.