Thermal Energy Storage Container

Abstract

A thermal energy storage container cover which is adapted to be detachably engaged with a base such that the container may define a cavity for food storage, a chamber for storing utensils, and/or a compartment which contains a thermal energy storage material.

1 . A container adapted to separately hold at least one of a food, a utensil, and a food accessory, comprising:
 a base defining at least one cavity adapted to receive food; and   a cover detachably engaged with the base, the cover comprising:
 a cover body having lateral sides and an upper surface defining at least one chamber adapted to receive at least one utensil; 
 the cover body defining a compartment located such that, while the cover is engaged with the base, the compartment is located adjacent to the at least one cavity formed by the base; 
 thermal energy storage material located in the compartment and adapted to heat and/or cool food located in the at least one food receiving cavity in the base; and 
 a lid positioned along the upper surface of the cover body and adapted to, in combination with the cover body, enclose the at least one chamber, wherein the at least one chamber allows the at least one of the utensil and the food accessory to be added to the container while simultaneously heating and/or cooling any food contained in the base body and reducing the transfer of thermal energy between any food in the base body and the atmosphere surrounding the container. 
   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the cover body includes a detachable panel located on a surface opposite from the lid adapted to allow access to the compartment. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal energy storage material is configured as a removable insert to allow the thermal energy storage material to be heated or cooled separately from the cover. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid rotates around an axis that is generally askew from the lateral sides of the cover body. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the cover has a major surface with a generally rectilinear shape and the lid has a generally rectilinear shape, the generally rectilinear shape formed by the lid being generally askew to the generally rectilinear shape formed by the cover. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is aligned at an angle relative to the upper surface of the cover body 
   
   
       7 . A container, comprising:
 a base defining at least one cavity adapted to receive food; and   a cover detachably engaged with the base, the cover comprising:
 a cover body having lateral sides and an upper surface defining at least one chamber adapted to receive a food accessory and/or food; 
 the cover body defining a compartment located such that, while the cover is engaged with the base, the compartment is located adjacent to the at least one cavity; 
 thermal energy storage material located in the compartment and adapted to heat and/or cool food located in the at least one food receiving cavity in the base; and 
 a lid positioned along the upper surface of the cover body and adapted to, in combination with the cover body, enclose the at least one chamber, wherein the lid rotates around an axis that is generally askew from the lateral sides of the cover body. 
   
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein at least one utensil is located in the at least on chamber. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein when the lid is closed, an outer surface of the lid is generally flush with the upper surface of the cover surrounding the at least one chamber. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the cover has a major surface with a generally rectilinear shape and the lid has a generally rectilinear shape, the generally rectilinear shape formed by the lid being generally askew to the generally rectilinear shape formed by the cover. 
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the lid is pivotally connected to the cover body via a hinge. 
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the thermal energy storage material is a gel. 
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of taps depending from the lateral sides of the cover body and adapted to engage the base. 
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the cover body includes a detachable panel located on a surface opposite from the lid adapted to allow access to the compartment. 
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the thermal energy storage material is configured as a removable insert to allow the thermal energy storage material to be heated or cooled separately from the cover. 
   
   
       16 . A container adapted to separately hold consumables, comprising:
 a base comprising:
 a base body defining at least one cavity adapted to receive food; 
 a lip extending generally outwardly from an edge of the base body proximate to the opening of the at least one cavity, the lip including generally crescent sections on opposing sides of the base body, the crescent sections each including a notch therein; 
   a cover detachably engaged with the base, the cover comprising:
 a cover body having lateral sides and an upper surface defining at least one chamber adapted to receive a food accessory and/or food; 
 the cover body defining a compartment located therein; 
 thermal energy storage material located in the compartment and adapted to heat and/or cool food located in the at least one food receiving cavity in the base; and 
 a lid positioned along the upper surface of the cover body and adapted to, in combination with the cover body, enclose the at least one chamber, wherein the lid is aligned at an angle relative to the upper surface of the cover body; 
 a shroud extending generally outwardly from the cover body and adapted to, when the cover is secured to the base, cover the lip and the crescent sections of the base body, the shroud further including a plurality of tabs each adapted to engage a notch in the base body when the shroud covers the lip of the base body; and 
   at least one utensil located in the at least one chamber.   
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the cover body includes a detachable panel located on a surface opposite from the lid adapted to allow access to the compartment. 
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the thermal energy storage material is configured as a removable insert to allow the thermal energy storage material to be heated or cooled separately from the cover. 
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the base body defines multiple cavities for receiving food with dividing walls configured to prevent thermal energy storage material from completely leaving the compartment if the panel is dislodged while the cover is engaged with the base.