Multi-topping tray container system

Abstract

A food container system that comprises a main tray member that is the primary foodstuff storage tray, a lid member and an intermediate tray member that is molded to include a plurality of recesses to house various foodstuffs (e.g. condiment, toppings). The intermediate tray member is configured so that it is removeably connected to and held fast in the main tray member. The intermediate tray member is further formed with a smaller footprint so that it does not obstruct the view of the contents of the primary foodstuff storage tray when on display at a market. The consumer is easily able to view all the contents of the food container system without handling the food container. In order to service the needs of the fast food or ‘on-the-go’ consumer, the container system includes quick-release fasteners to which utensils may be attached. Further, the consumer may use the main tray member as a bowl or tray into which all the foodstuffs may be mixed in any quantity or combination desired.

1 . A food container system comprising: 
 a lid member;    a main tray member;    wherein the lid member and main tray member possess complementary mating rims that are releaseably lockable to each other;    an intermediate tray member that is located between the lid member and main tray member;    wherein said intermediate tray member has a top surface plan view cross-sectional area that is not more than 80% of the top surface plan view cross-sectional area of the mouth of the main tray member    and further wherein the intermediate tray member is removeably connected to the main tray member.    
     
     
         2 . The claim as in  claim 1  wherein the releaseably lockable mechanism that connects the lid member to the main tray member is a snap-fit grip.  
     
     
         3 . The claim as in  claim 1  wherein the removeably connected feature holding the intermediate tray member to the main tray member are mechanical engagements between at least two corners of the intermediate tray member and at least two complementary mating corners formed into the body of the main tray member.  
     
     
         4 . The claim as in  claim 1  wherein the removeably connected feature holding the intermediate tray member to the main tray member are tongue-in-groove mechanisms.  
     
     
         5 . The claim as in  claim 4  wherein the tongue elements of the tongue-in-groove mechanisms are formed into the intermediate tray and the complementary grooves are formed into the main tray member.  
     
     
         6 . The claim as in  claim 1  wherein the intermediate tray member includes at least one recess.  
     
     
         7 . The claim as in  claim 6  wherein a membrane disposed over the mouths of the recesses and structured to retain the contents of the recesses  
     
     
         8 . The claim as in  claim 1  wherein a quick-release fastener mechanism is formed into the intermediate tray member for holding a utensil.  
     
     
         9 . The claim as in  claim 8  wherein the quick-release fastener mechanism is formed on a side wall of the intermediate tray member.  
     
     
         10 . The claim as in  claim 8  wherein the quick-release fastener mechanism is formed on the underside of the intermediate tray member.  
     
     
         11 . A food container system comprising: 
 a lid member;    a main tray member;    wherein the lid member and main tray member possess complementary mating rims that are releaseably lockable to each other;    an intermediate tray member that is located between the lid member and main tray member;    wherein formed into the underside of the main tray member is a quick-release fastener mechanism for retaining a utensil.    
     
     
         12 . The claim as in  claim 11  wherein a utensil recess is formed into the underside of the main tray member; and 
 further wherein the quick-release fastener mechanism is formed in the recess of the underside of the main tray member.    
     
     
         13 . The claim as in  claim 12  wherein a membrane is disposed over the mouth of the utensil recess.  
     
     
         14 . The claim as in  claim 13  wherein the membrane is a film or a foil.  
     
     
         15 . The claim as in claims  1  or  11  wherein the material of the lid member, main tray member and intermediate tray member is Polystyrene, Polypropylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Polylactide, Polyvinyl Chloride, or other rigid polymers.  
     
     
         16 . The claim as in claims  1  or  11  wherein the lid member or tray member is constructed using a process taken from the group consisting of thermoforming, injection molding, transfer molding and blow molding.  
     
     
         17 . The claim as in claims  1  or  11  wherein the lid member is formed with raised ribs on its top surface, and complementary mating raised ribs are formed onto the bottom surface of the main tray member so that the lid member raised ribs interlock with the main tray member raised ribs in order to restrict lateral movement when the container system is stacked one on top of each other.  
     
     
         18 . The claim as in claims  1  or  11  wherein the lid member and main tray member are a single construct and hingeably attached to each other.  
     
     
         19 . The claim as in claims  1  or  11  wherein the container system is circular, rectangular, square, and elliptical, or other polygonal shape.  
     
     
         20 . The claim as in claims  1  or  11  wherein the container system is stackable.  
     
     
         21 . The claim as in  claim 20  wherein the stacking feature is enabled by forming raised male ribs on the lid member and complementary raised male ribs on the bottom surface of the main tray member.  
     
     
         22 . The claim as in  claim 1  or  11  wherein the food container system possesses tamper-evident features.