Containers and Container Assemblies

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to containers for storing and shipping food and, more particularly, pertains to nesting containers and container assemblies. According to one embodiment, a container assembly includes an outer container and an inner container. The outer container includes an outer container wall extending upwardly from an outer container base. The outer container wall transitions into a ledge extending outwardly from the outer container wall. The inner container includes an inner container wall extending from an inner container base and transitioning into a support flange. When the container assembly is assembled, the support flange of the inner container rests upon the ledge of the outer container such that the inner container is removably nested within the outer container.

1 . A container assembly comprising:
 an outer container comprising an outer container wall extending upwardly from an outer container base, the outer container wall transitioning into a ledge extending outwardly from the outer container wall; and   an inner container comprising an inner container wall extending from an inner container base and transitioning into a support flange, wherein when the container assembly is assembled, the support flange of the inner container rests upon the ledge of the outer container such that the inner container is removably nested within the outer container.   
   
   
       2 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the outer container further comprises a circumferentially extending neck extending from the ledge. 
   
   
       3 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the inner container is nested within the circumferentially extending neck. 
   
   
       4 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the outer container comprises an outer rim extending outwardly from the circumferentially extending neck. 
   
   
       5 . A container assembly comprising:
 an outer container comprising an outer container wall extending upwardly from an outer container base, the outer container wall transitioning into a ledge extending outwardly from the outer container wall; and   an inner container comprising an inner container wall extending upwardly from an inner container base, and a circumferentially extending inner container neck extending upwardly from the inner container wall and terminating at a support flange, wherein when the container assembly is assembled, the support flange of the inner container rests upon the ledge of the outer container such that the inner container is removably nested within the outer container.   
   
   
       6 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the inner container neck extends inwardly with respect to the outer container wall when the container assembly is assembled. 
   
   
       7 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the outer container further comprises an outer rim extending outwardly from the neck. 
   
   
       8 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the inner container further comprises an inner container seal removably coupled to the support flange and the container assembly further comprises a lid removably coupled to the outer rim. 
   
   
       9 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the outer container further comprises an outer container seal removably coupled to the outer rim and positioned under the lid. 
   
   
       10 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the container assembly further comprises a pull tab coupled to the outer rim. 
   
   
       11 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 5  wherein:
 the outer container wall further comprises a perimeter shelf;   the inner container neck further comprises a perimeter shoulder; and   the perimeter shoulder removably rests on the perimeter shelf of the outer container.   
   
   
       12 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the outer container and inner container bases are circularly shaped, the outer container wall tapers from the perimeter shelf to the outer container base, and the inner container wall tapers from the perimeter shoulder to the outer container base. 
   
   
       13 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 5  wherein:
 the inner container is removably nested within the outer container such that a product storage area is defined by the inner container base, the outer container base and the outer container wall; and   the product storage area maintains a first product and the inner container maintains a second product.   
   
   
       14 . A container assembly comprising:
 an outer container comprising an outer container wall extending upwardly from an outer container base and transitioning into an outwardly extending ledge, the ledge transitioning into a circumferentially extending outer container neck; and   an inner container comprising an inner container wall extending from an inner container base and transitioning into a shoulder, a circumferentially extending inner container neck extending inwardly from the shoulder and transitioning into a support flange, and a seal coupled to the support flange, wherein the support flange rests upon the ledge of the outer container such that the inner container is removably nested within the neck of the outer container in an inverted position with respect to the outer container.   
   
   
       15 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the outer container and inner container bases are circularly shaped, the outer container wall tapers from the ledge to the outer container base, and the inner container wall tapers from the shoulder to the outer container base. 
   
   
       16 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 14  wherein:
 the inner container is removably nested within the outer container such that a product storage area is defined by the seal of the inner container, the outer container base and the outer container wall; and   the product storage area maintains a first product and the inner container maintains a second product.   
   
   
       17 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the outer container further comprises an outer rim extending outwardly from the outer container neck and the container assembly further comprises a lid coupled to the outer rim. 
   
   
       18 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the outer container further comprises an additional circumferentially extending outer container neck extending outwardly from an additional ledge. 
   
   
       19 . The container assembly as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the outer container neck transitions into the additional ledge.