Methods of using containers and container assemblies with interlocking features

Abstract

A container assembly comprises a first container and a second container. The first container includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim. The rim has a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The second container includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim. The rim has a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The second rim and the first rim are shaped substantially the same. The first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably lockable to each other by fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces. The first container may be shaped substantially the same as the second container.

1 - 112 . (canceled)  
   
   
       113 . A method of forming and using a container assembly, the method comprising the acts of: 
 providing a first container that includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the rim having a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs;    providing a second container that includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the rim having a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs, the first container being shaped substantially the same as the second container;    providing at least one food item;    placing the food item within the first container;    flipping the second container such that the first container and second container are generally aligned and the first rim and the second rim are adjacent to each other;    fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces such that the first container and the second container are releasably locked to each other;    storing the container assembly containing the food item;    placing the container assembly containing the food item in a heating apparatus; and    heating the first food item with the heating apparatus.    
   
   
       114 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the first container has a plurality of compartments.  
   
   
       115 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the first and second containers are bowls.  
   
   
       116 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the first and second containers are plates.  
   
   
       117 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the first container is a bowl and the second container is a plate.  
   
   
       118 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the first and second containers are made of polymeric material.  
   
   
       119 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the first container is identical to the second container.  
   
   
       120 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs are generally perpendicular to the plane of the remainder of the respective rims.  
   
   
       121 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs comprises first and second sidewalls and a surface that encompasses and bridges the first and second sidewalls, at least one of the first and second sidewalls has a first undercut, and wherein the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs comprises third and fourth sidewalls and a surface that encompasses and bridges the third and fourth sidewalls, at least one of the third and fourth sidewalls has a second undercut.  
   
   
       122 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs creates a first pattern that is generally normal to the direction of the first rim, and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs creates a second pattern that is generally normal to the direction of the second rim.  
   
   
       123 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein each of the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs is generally concentric with the center of the first container and each of the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs is generally concentric with the center of the second container.  
   
   
       124 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the first rim and the second rim are adapted to form a seal.  
   
   
       125 . The method of  claim 124 , wherein the seal is located outwardly from the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs.  
   
   
       126 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the act of storing is within a refrigerator.  
   
   
       127 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the act of storing is within a freezer.  
   
   
       128 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the heating apparatus is a microwave.  
   
   
       129 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the heating apparatus is a conventional oven.  
   
   
       130 . A method of forming and using a container assembly, the method comprising the acts of: 
 providing a first container that includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the rim having a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs;    providing at least one food item;    placing the at least one food item within the first container;    providing a second container that includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the rim having a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs, the second rim and the first rim being shaped substantially the same;    flipping the second container such that the first container and second container are generally aligned and the first rim and the second rim are adjacent to each other;    fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces such that the first container and the second container are releasably lockable to each other; and    storing the container assembly containing the at least one food item.    
   
   
       131 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the first and second containers are bowls.  
   
   
       132 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the first and second containers are plates.  
   
   
       133 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the first container is a bowl and the second container is a plate.  
   
   
       134 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the first and second containers are made of polymeric material.  
   
   
       135 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the first rim is identical to the second rim.  
   
   
       136 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs are generally perpendicular to the plane of the remainder of the respective rims.  
   
   
       137 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs comprises first and second sidewalls and a surface that encompasses and bridges the first and second sidewalls, at least one of the first and second sidewalls has a first undercut, and wherein the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs comprises third and fourth sidewalls and a surface that encompasses and bridges the third and fourth sidewalls, at least one of the third and fourth sidewalls has a second undercut.  
   
   
       138 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs creates a first pattern that is generally normal to the direction of the first rim, and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs creates a second pattern that is generally normal to the direction of the second rim.  
   
   
       139 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the first rim and the second rim are adapted to form a seal.  
   
   
       140 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the seal is located outwardly from the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs.  
   
   
       141 . The method of  claim 130  further comprising the acts of: 
 placing the container assembly containing the at least one food item in a heating apparatus; and    heating the at least one food item with the heating apparatus.    
   
   
       142 . The method of  claim 140 , wherein the heating apparatus is a microwave.  
   
   
       143 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein the heating apparatus is a conventional oven.  
   
   
       144 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the act of storing is in a refrigerator.  
   
   
       145 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the act of storing is in a freezer.  
   
   
       146 . The method of  claim 130  further comprising the act of serving the plurality of food items within the container.  
   
   
       147 . A method of forming and using a container assembly, the method comprising the acts of: 
 providing a first container that includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the rim having a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs;    providing at least one food item;    placing the at least one food item within the first container;    preparing the at least one food item within the first container in a first heating apparatus;    serving the at least one food item within the container;    providing a second container that includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the rim having a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs, the second rim and the first rim being shaped substantially the same;    flipping the second container such that the first container and second container are generally aligned and the first rim and the second rim are adjacent to each other;    fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces such that the first container and the second container are releasably lockable to each other;    storing the container assembly containing the at least one food item; and    re-heating the at least one food item in a second heating apparatus.    
   
   
       148 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein the first heating apparatus is a microwave.  
   
   
       149 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein the first heating apparatus is a conventional oven.  
   
   
       150 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein the second heating apparatus is a microwave.  
   
   
       151 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein the second heating apparatus is a conventional oven.  
   
   
       152 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein the first heating apparatus is identical to the second heating apparatus.  
   
   
       153 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein the act of storing is in a refrigerator.  
   
   
       154 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein the act of storing is in a freezer.  
   
   
       155 . The method of  claim 147  further comprising the act of serving the plurality of food items within the container.