Multimode distribution container

Abstract

Disclosed are an apparatus, a distribution system, and methods of distribution and post-distribution processing. The apparatus includes a first surface defining a container including a first non-zero volume having an opening; a second surface defining a cover for the opening; and a volume-modifying portion coupled to at least one of the surfaces, the volume-modifying portion including a first mode and a second mode, the first mode producing the first volume and the second mode producing a second volume different from the first volume.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a first surface defining a container including a first non-zero volume having an opening;    a second surface defining a cover for said opening; and    a volume-modifying portion coupled to at least one of said surfaces, said volume-modifying portion including a first mode and a second mode, said first mode producing said first volume and said second mode producing a second volume different from said first volume.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second volume is larger than said first volume.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first volume includes a corresponding first shape and said second volume has a corresponding second shape.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said second volume is larger than said first volume and wherein said volume-modifying portion is disposed in said first surface.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein a plurality of said containers in said first mode have an increased packing density as compared to said plurality of said containers in said second mode.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second surface forms a sanitary seal with said first surface.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second surface forms a vacuum seal to said first surface.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein human consumable quality food is stored in said first volume.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said second surface forms a sanitary seal with said first surface.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said second surface forms a vacuum seal to said first surface.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said volume-modifying portion includes a plastic material.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said plastic material is a deformable, non-rupturable, shape-retaining material.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a transition of said volume-modifying portion from said first mode to said second mode produces an indication.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said indication is an audible sound.  
   
   
       15 . A distribution system, comprising: 
 a plurality of containers, each said container including a first surface defining a first non-zero volume having an opening, a second surface defining a cover for said opening; and a volume-modifying portion coupled to at least one of said surfaces, said volume-modifying portion including a first mode and a second mode, said first mode producing said first volume and said second mode producing a second volume greater than said first mode; and    wherein said first mode defines a distribution mode having one or more items disposed in said first volume and wherein said second mode defines a processing mode for a post-distribution processing of said one or more items within said second volume and wherein said distribution mode produces a first packing density for said plurality of containers greater than a second packing density of said plurality of containers in said second mode.    
   
   
       16 . A method for distributing an item; the method comprising: 
 a) dispensing the item into a container including a first surface defining a first non-zero volume having an opening, a second surface defining a cover for said opening; and a volume-modifying portion coupled to at least one of said surfaces, said volume-modifying portion including a distribution mode and a processing mode, said distribution mode producing said first volume and said processing mode producing a second volume greater than said first mode;    b) covering said opening using said second surface; and    c) distributing the container in said distribution mode.    
   
   
       17 . An item processing method, the method comprising: 
 a) receiving the item in a container including a first surface defining a first non-zero volume having an opening, a second surface defining a cover for said opening; and a volume-modifying portion coupled to at least one of said surfaces, said volume-modifying portion including a distribution mode and a processing mode, said first mode producing said first volume and said second mode producing a second volume greater than said first mode wherein said distribution mode includes the item disposed in said first volume; and thereafter    b) transitioning said container to said processing mode from said distribution mode; and thereafter    c) processing the item in said second volume.    
   
   
       18 . The item processing method of  claim 17  wherein said item processing c) includes: 
 c1) adding a second item into said second volume; and    c2) tossing said first item and said second item together.    
   
   
       19 . The item processing method of  claim 18  wherein said first item includes a salad and said second item includes a salad dressing wherein said tossing c2) dresses said salad with said salad dressing.  
   
   
       20 . An item processing method, the method comprising: 
 a) receiving the item in a container including a surface defining a first non-zero volume having an opening and a volume-modifying portion coupled to said surface, said volume-modifying portion including a distribution mode and a processing mode, said first mode producing said first volume and said second mode producing a second volume greater than said first mode wherein said distribution mode includes the item disposed in said first volume; and thereafter    b) transitioning said container to said processing mode from said distribution mode; and thereafter    c) processing the item in said second volume.