Insertable compartmentalized packaging container

Abstract

A prepackaged food container system comprising a larger first container that is releaseably attached to a smaller second container is described. The first container may be used to contain food product such as vegetable, fruit or bakery items, and the second container used to hold a matching condiment. The second container is releaseably attached to the lid of the first container and may be placed on the outside or inside of the first container as desired by the food packager and/or consumer. Attaching the containers together is achieved using commonly known snap-fit mechanisms that may be continuous grooves or ribs on the periphery of the side wall; alternatively, the snap-fit mechanism may be cantilever-type. The food product contents of both containers may be mixed in the larger first container and consumed directly from said first container. Plastic food containers with lids allows for sealing, release and re-sealing multiple times without deterioration in reliability.

1 . A food container system, comprising: 
 a first container including a lid;    a lidded second container including a lid is volumetrically smaller than the first container;    wherein the lid of the first container and second container are adapted to be releaseably lockable to each other through the use of one or more snap-fit grips.    
     
     
         2 . The container system of  claim 1  wherein the mating surfaces of the snap-fit is in continuous contact with each other when locked.  
     
     
         3 . The container system of  claim 1  wherein the snap-fit comprises: 
 a plurality of cantilever-based male ribs in the lid of the first container; and    a corresponding mating female groove in the sidewall of the second container.    
     
     
         4 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the second container is releaseably lockable to the topside of the lid of the first container.  
     
     
         5 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the second container is releaseably lockable to the underside of the lid of the first container.  
     
     
         6 . The container system of  claim 1  wherein the material of the first container is Polystyrene, Polypropylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Polylactide, Polyvinyl Chloride, or other rigid polymers.  
     
     
         7 . The container system of  claim 1  wherein the material of the second container is Polystyrene, Polypropylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Polylactide, Polyvinyl Chloride, or other rigid polymers.  
     
     
         8 . The container system of  claim 1  wherein the lid of the first container is circular.  
     
     
         9 . The container system of  claim 1  wherein the lid of the first container is a polygon.  
     
     
         10 . The container system in  claim 1  wherein the lid of the first container is flat.  
     
     
         11 . The container system in  claim 1  wherein the lid of the first container is dome-shaped.  
     
     
         12 . The container system of  claim 1  wherein the lid of the first container is a tamper-evident lid.  
     
     
         13 . The container system in  claim 1  wherein the lateral cross-section of the second container is circular.  
     
     
         14 . The container system in  claim 1  wherein the lateral cross-section of the second container is a polygon.  
     
     
         15 . The container in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the lateral cross-section of the second container is square.  
     
     
         16 . The container in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the lateral cross-section of the second container is rectangular.  
     
     
         17 . The container system in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a recess in the topside of the lid of the first container, the recess having a lateral cross-sectional shape that is homogeneous with but marginally larger than the cross-sectional shape of the second container;    a second container tray having a lateral cross-sectional area that decreases from its rim to its floor;    wherein the second container can be fitted snugly into the recess of lid of the first container.    
     
     
         18 . The container system in  claim 17  wherein the depth of the recess of the first container ranges from 1 millimeter to approximately the length of the second container measured in its axial direction.  
     
     
         19 . The container system in  claim 17  wherein the recess includes a slot of sufficient size to allow the consumer to insert the tip of their finger and to facilitate release of the second container from the lid of the first container.  
     
     
         20 . The container system in  claim 1  wherein the first container is formed with a recess in the underside of its lid to hold the second container wherein the depth of the recess is approximately the length of the second container measured in its axial direction.  
     
     
         21 . The container system of  claim 1  in which the container system is stackable.  
     
     
         22 . A method of prepackaged food assembly, comprising: 
 placing a food product into a first container;    enclosing this first container with a rigid polymer lid;    placing another food product into a second container;    enclosing the food product of this second container with a lid; and    connecting the first and second containers using a releaseably lockable snap-fit.