Multi-container system

Abstract

A multi-container system having an outer container and an inner container. The outer container may at least partly define a hole extending entirely though the outer container, with the outer container at least partly surrounds the hole. The inner container may fit into and be received by the hole. The multi-container system may be shiftable between an assembled configuration, where the inner container is received and held within the hole, and a disassembled configuration, where the inner and outer containers are decoupled and separated from one another.

Having thus described various embodiments of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following: 
     
         1 . A multi-container system comprising:
 an outer container at least partly defining a hole extending entirely though said outer container, wherein said outer container at least partly surrounds said hole; and   an inner container configured for receipt in said hole,   wherein said multi-container system is shiftable between an assembled configuration where said inner container is received and held within said hole and a disassembled configuration where said inner and outer containers are decoupled and separated from one another.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-container system of  claim 1 , wherein said outer container comprises an elongated curved bottle. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-container system of  claim 2 , wherein said elongated curved bottle has an arcuate axis of elongation, a generally circular shape, a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners, or a generally square shape with rounded corners. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-container system of  claim 1 , wherein said outer container extends around said hole through an angle of extension that is at least 180 degrees measured from the geometric center of said hole. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-container system of  claim 1 , wherein said inner container presents an outer surface having substantially the same shape as said hole. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-container system of  claim 1 , wherein said inner container fits snugly within said hole when said multi-container system is in said assembled configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-container system of  claim 1 , wherein an applied force exceeding gravitation force is required to shift said multi-container system from said assemble configuration into said disassembled configuration, and an applied force exceeding gravitation force is required to shift said multi-container system from said disassembled configuration into said assembled configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-container system of  claim 1 , wherein no action other than application of a linear force to said inner and/or outer containers is required to shift said multi-container system between said assembled and said disassemble configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-container system of  claim 1 , wherein said outer member presents an inner wall defining said hole, wherein said inner member presents an outer wall, wherein said inner and outer walls are adjacent to one another when said multi-container system is in said assembled configuration, wherein one of said inner and outer walls presents one or more protrusions, wherein the other of said inner and outer walls presents one or more recesses, wherein at least one of said protrusions is received in at least one of said recesses when said multi-container system is in said assembled configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-container system of  claim 1 , wherein said outer container defines at least two distinct internal chambers, each having a closable opening for receiving and discharging a flowable material into and out of said internal chambers. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-container system of  claim 1 , wherein said outer container defines at least three distinct internal chambers, each having a closable opening for receiving and discharging a flowable material into and out of said internal chambers. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-container system of  claim 1 , wherein said outer container comprises an interior section and an exterior section, wherein said interior section is disposed generally between said exterior section and said hole, wherein said interior and exterior sections define respective interior and exterior chambers, wherein said interior and exterior sections comprise respective interior and exterior closable openings for receiving and discharging flowable materials into and out of said interior and exterior chambers. 
     
     
         13 . A multi-container system comprising:
 an outer container presenting an inner wall at least partly defining a hole extending entirely though said outer container, wherein said outer container at least partly surrounds said hole, wherein the outer container comprises at least one internal chamber having a closable opening for receiving and discharging a flowable material into and out of said internal chamber; and   an inner container presenting an outer wall having substantially the same shape as said hole,   wherein said multi-container system is shiftable between an assembled configuration where said inner container is received and held within said hole and a disassembled configuration where said inner and outer containers are decoupled and separated from one another,   wherein said inner container fits snugly within said hole when said multi-container system is in said assembled configuration,   wherein said inner and outer walls are adjacent to one another when said multi-container system is in said assembled configuration,   wherein one of said inner and outer walls presents one or more protrusions,   wherein the other of said inner and outer walls presents one or more recesses,   wherein at least one of said protrusions is received in at least one of said recesses when said multi-container system is in said assembled configuration.   
     
     
         14 . The multi-container system of  claim 13 , wherein said outer container comprises an elongated curved bottle having an arcuate axis of elongation, a generally circular shape, a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners, or a generally square shape with rounded corners. 
     
     
         15 . The multi-container system of  claim 13 , wherein said inner container is at least one of a bowl, a clam shell, a resealable plastic container, a plastic container having a single-use sheet adhered to a rim thereof, and a lunch pack. 
     
     
         16 . The multi-container system of  claim 13 , wherein said outer container defines at least two distinct internal chambers, each having a closable opening for receiving and discharging a flowable material into and out of said internal chambers. 
     
     
         17 . The multi-container system of  claim 13 , wherein said outer container comprises an interior section and an exterior section, wherein said interior section is disposed generally between said exterior section and said hole, wherein said interior section defines an interior chamber and said exterior section defines at least one exterior chamber, wherein said interior and exterior sections comprise respective interior and exterior closable openings for receiving and discharging flowable materials into and out of said interior and exterior chambers. 
     
     
         18 . The multi-container system of  claim 13 , wherein the ratio of the internal volume of said outer container to the internal volume of said inner container is at least 0.1:1 and not more than 10:1. 
     
     
         19 . A method of operating a multi-container system, said method comprising:
 (a) shifting the multi-container system comprising first and second containers from an assembled configuration to a disassembled configuration, wherein said first container comprises a hole extending entirely therethrough, wherein said second container is received and held in said hole when said multi-container system is in the assembled configuration and is removed from said hole when said multi-container system is in said disassembled configuration; and   (b) while said multi-container system is in said disassembled configuration—
 (i) dispensing a flowable material from one of said first or second containers into the other of said first or second containers or 
 (ii) dispensing the contents of both of said first and second containers. 
   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising, subsequent to step (b), shifting said multi-container system from said disassembled configuration to said assembled configuration. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said shifting to said assembled configured comprises snap fitting said second container with said first container by engaging snap fit features of the first and second containers with each other. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein step (b) includes dispensing a flowable material from said first container into said second container. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said flowable material is a liquid and said second container is a bowl. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising, prior to step (b), removing a lid from said second container. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein step (b) includes dispensing the contents of both said first and second containers into a common receptacle.