Container for retention of shrink wrap

Abstract

A container adapted for holding shrink wrap in place without the use of adhesives. The shrink wrap is held in place by at least one protuberance on the sides or bottom of the container. The protuberance has a particular design in relationship to the sides or bottom of the container that prevents slippage of the shrink wrap. Also disclosed is a container system for consumable products, comprising the aforementioned container, at least one lid, and a shrink wrap.

1 . A container adapted for holding a shrink wrap in place without adhesive comprising a bottom and one or more side walls defining a top edge, wherein at least one of the bottom or side walls comprises at least one protuberance that projects sufficiently from the container to hold the shrink wrap in place without adhesive. 
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  comprising one or more protuberances dispersed upon the sides of the container. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  comprising one or more protuberances dispersed upon the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the protuberances are knobs or spines. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the protuberances are ridges that encircle the container on its side walls. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the protuberances comprise discontinuous ridges. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the side walls are substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom of the container, and the one or more protuberances extend from the side walls to a distance defined by an angle from the top of the container along the side wall between 10° and 45° outward from the side of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the area defined by the top edge of the container is larger than the area of the bottom of the container and the side wails taper from the top edge to the bottom of the container at an angle Φ defined by the side wall and a line perpendicular to a horizontal plane anon which the container is disposed, wherein Φ is ≦10°, and the one or more protuberances extend from the side walls to a distance of Φ to Φ+45° beyond the perpendicular line. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the area defined by the top edge of the container is larger than the area of the bottom of the container and the side walls taper from the top edge to the bottom of the container at an angle Φ defined by the side wall and a line perpendicular to a horizontal plane upon which the container is disposed, wherein Φ is ≧10°, and the one or more protuberances extend from the side walls to a distance of Φ−10° to Φ+45° beyond the perpendicular line. 
     
     
         10 . A container system comprising:
 a container comprising a bottom and one or more side walls defining a top edge, wherein at least one of the bottom or side walls comprises at least one protuberance that projects sufficiently from the container to hold a shrink wrap in place without adhesive;   one or more lids; and   a shrink wrap positioned over at least a portion of the container.   
     
     
         11 . The container system of  claim 10  wherein the container comprises one or more protuberances dispersed upon the bottom or sides of the container. 
     
     
         12 . The container system of  claim 10  wherein the container comprises protuberances in the form of one or more ridges that encircle the container on its side walls. 
     
     
         13 . The container system of  claim 10  wherein the container comprises side walls that are substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom of the container, and the one or more protuberances extend from the side walls to a distance defined by an angle from the top of the container along the side wall between 10° and 45° outward from the side of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The container system of  claim 10  wherein the container is a container wherein the area defined by the top edge of the container is larger than the area of the bottom of the container and the side walls taper from the top edge to the bottom of the container at an angle Φ defined by the side wall and a line perpendicular to a horizontal plane upon which the container is disposed, wherein Φ is ≦10°, and the one or more protuberances extend from the side walls to a distance of Φ to Φ+45° beyond the perpendicular line. 
     
     
         15 . The container system of  claim 10  wherein the container is a container wherein the area defined by the top edge of the container is larger than the area of the bottom of the container and the side walls taper from the top edge to the bottom of the container at an angle Φ defined by the side wall and a line perpendicular to a horizontal plane upon which the container is disposed, wherein Φ is Φ≧10°, and the one or more protuberances extend from the side walls to a distance of Φ−10° to +45° beyond the perpendicular line. 
     
     
         16 . The container system of  claim 10  wherein the lid is a peelable lid. 
     
     
         17 . The container system of  claim 10  wherein the lid is replaceable lid. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A product comprising:
 a container adapted for holding a shrink wrap in place without adhesive, wherein the container comprises a bottom and one or more side walls defining a top edge, wherein at least one of the bottom or side walls comprises at least one protuberance that projects sufficiently from the container to hold the shrink wrap in place without adhesive; and   one or more materials contained within the container.   
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for making a container adapted for holding a shrink wrap in place without adhesive comprising:
 providing a container comprising a bottom and one or more side walls defining a top edge, wherein at least one of the bottom or side walls comprises at least one protuberance that projects sufficiently from the container to hold the shrink wrap in place without adhesive; and   applying shrink wrap onto the container.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising inserting a material into the container. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising scaling the container after the material has been inserted into the container. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising retorting the sealed container. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . (canceled)