Interconnecting food container system

Abstract

A container which includes a base ( 4 ) with an upper end forming a base rim ( 16 ), and a cover ( 2 ) which can lie right-side-up or upside-down on the base. In the cover upside-down position, a cover channel ( 14 ) opens downwardly and closely receives the base rim ( 16 ), and much of the base recess ( 7 ) is left uncovered.

1 . A container system comprising: a first tray member: a second tray member, said second tray member having a bottom surface into which is formed a shaped channel, the shaped channel being defined by a floor, an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall; and wherein the rim of said first tray member may be inserted into said shaped channel so that said second tray member is mechanically held to said first tray member to form an integrated food container system. 
     
     
         2 . A container system comprising: a first tray member: a second tray member, said second tray member having a bottom surface into which is formed a shaped channel, said shaped channel being defined by a floor, an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall; wherein said first tray member and said second tray member possess complementary mating rims that when held together define an enclosure; and wherein said rim of said first tray member may be inserted into said shaped channel so that said second tray member is mechanically held to said first tray member to form an integrated food container system. 
     
     
         3 . The claim as in  claim 2  wherein said complementary mating rims of said first tray member and said second tray member are releaseably lockable to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The claim as in  claim 3  wherein said first and second tray members are releaseably lockable by a snap-fit lock. 
     
     
         5 . The claim as in  claim 3  wherein said first and second tray members are releaseably lockable by a threaded connection. 
     
     
         6 . The claim as in  claim 3  wherein said first and second tray members are releaseably lockable by tamper-evident, tamper-resistant features. 
     
     
         7 . The claim as in  claim 2  wherein said first tray member has a base that is configured to fit snugly within a cavity formed into said bottom surface of said second tray member. 
     
     
         8 . The claim as in  claim 7  wherein the minimum depth of said cavity is 3/16 inch. 
     
     
         9 . The claim as in  claim 1  or  2  further including mechanical means for attaching said shaped channel to said first tray member rim comprising an interference fit. 
     
     
         10 . The claim as in  claim 1  or  2  further including mechanical means of for attaching said shaped channel to said first tray member rim comprising a snap-fit grip. 
     
     
         11 . The claim as in  claim 1  or  2  wherein inner and outer sidewalls are curved, linear or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The claim as in  claim 1  or  2  wherein the minimum depth of said shaped channel as measured from said second tray member bottom surface is 3/16 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The claim as in  claim 1  or  2  wherein said second tray member of the integrated food container system is supported by said first tray member. 
     
     
         14 . The claim as in  claim 13  wherein said shaped channel is held to said first tray rim via a threaded connection. 
     
     
         15 . The claim as in  claim 1  or  2  wherein the planes of the surfaces of the inner and outer sidewalls of the shaped channel coincide at the points beneath the bottom surface of the second tray member to form an acute angle. 
     
     
         16 . The claim as in  claim 1  or  2  wherein the material of the first and second tray members is Polystyrene, Polypropylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Polylactide, Polyvinyl Chloride, or other rigid polymers. 
     
     
         17 . The claim as in  claim 1  or  2  wherein the process for constructing the first and second tray members is taken from the group consisting of thermoforming, injection molding, transfer molding and blow molding. 
     
     
         18 . The claim as in  claim 1  or  2  wherein the container system is circular, elliptical, rectangular, square, or other polygonal shape when viewed from above.