Refillable package for consumable products

Abstract

A refillable package is provided for dispensing a plurality of consumable products. The package may comprise a reusable container and a removable refill. The reusable container may comprise a lid connected to a receptacle defining a container interior. The removable refill may comprise a refill body and a closure. The refill body may be configured to fit inside the container interior. There may be a seal between the refill body and the lid. The refillable package can be designed to be portable and easily carried.

1 . A package comprising:
 a reusable container defining a reusable container interior;   a molded plastic refill container defining a refill opening and a refill interior housing a plurality of solid consumable products, the refill container configured to be removably receivable within at least a portion of the reusable container interior; and   a closure covering the refill opening.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the reusable container is sized and shaped to fit into a standard cup holder. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the closure comprises material selected from the group consisting of film, foil, stock material, paper, plastic, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the reusable container comprises a lid and a receptacle defining the reusable container interior, the receptacle further comprising a sidewall and at least one sidewall opening, the molded plastic refill container being removably receivable within at least a portion of the at least one sidewall opening. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the molded plastic refill container comprises a pair of elongated edges and the reusable container comprises a pair of elongated slots, the molded plastic refill container being removably receivable within at least a portion of the reusable container interior by a sliding action associated with the pair of edges and the pair of slots. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein the reusable container further comprises a sidewall and at least one sidewall opening, the sliding action extending along a direction that is transverse to a surface of the sidewall. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the reusable container comprises a lid and a receptacle defining the reusable container interior, and the receptacle further comprising an elastomeric element, the elastomeric element creating a seal with a surface of the molded plastic refill container. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 7 , wherein the seal is formed from thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising a score line on the closure. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the reusable container comprises a lid and a receptacle defining the reusable container interior, the molded plastic refill container being removably receivable within a portion of the reusable container interior by a stacking action. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the stacking action extends along an axis of symmetry of the receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the molded plastic refill container defines a plurality of compartments, each compartment housing a different type of solid consumable product. 
     
     
         13 . A package comprising:
 a reusable lid defining a lid opening, the reusable lid configured to selectively cover the lid opening;   a portable refill container defining a refill opening and a refill interior housing a plurality of solid consumable products, the reusable lid being configured to be removably receivable on the refill container; and   a removable closure covering the refill opening.   
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the portable refill container is a molded plastic refill container sized and shaped to fit in a standard cup holder. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 14  wherein the reusable lid comprises threads so as to be removably receivable on the portable refill container in a twisting action. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein removable closure is a molded plastic closure and the refill container is configured to be removably coupled to either the reusable lid or the plastic closure. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 13 , the reusable lid further comprising a base and a plurality of apertures positioned on the base, the portable refill container comprising a sidewall and a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the sidewall, the plurality of projections configured to engage the plurality of apertures in a snap-fit connection. 
     
     
         18 - 30 . (canceled)