Containers And Container Systems With An Enclosed Eating Or Serving Utensil

Abstract

A container system with an enclosed utensil. The utensil can be stored in a slot in a side wall of the container for easy removal and handling. The enclosed utensil can be retractable, and can include a collar for cleaning the utensil implement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container having a longitudinal axis and comprising:
 a container body having:
 a base; 
 at least one side wall extending upwardly from the base relative to the longitudinal axis, the at least one side wall comprising an outer surface and an inner surface spaced from the outer surface relative to a transverse axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container, wherein the at least one side wall defines an upper portion of the container body that is opposed from the base, the inner surface of the at least one side wall and the base cooperating to define an interior chamber of the container; and 
 a slot defined within the at least one side wall, wherein the slot is positioned between the outer surface and the inner surface of the at least one side wall relative to the transverse axis, wherein the slot extends axially from the upper portion of the container body toward the base relative to the longitudinal axis of the container, and wherein the slot of the container body is configured to receive at least a portion of a utensil. 
   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the container body comprises at least one engagement element. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the container further comprises a lid that is configured to engage at least one engagement element of the upper portion of the container body such that the lid, the inner surface of the at least one side wall, and the base cooperate to enclose the interior chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the lid is configured to sealingly engage the at least one engagement element of the upper portion of the container body to create a seal between the lid and the container body. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the lid is connected to the container body by a hinge. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the lid has opposed inner and outer surfaces, wherein the outer surface of the at least one side wall defines the at least one engagement element of the upper portion of the container body, and wherein the inner surface of the lid is configured to engage the at least one engagement element of the upper portion of the container body. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one engagement element comprises at least one thread. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the lid has opposed inner and outer surfaces, wherein the inner surface of the at least one side wall defines the at least one engagement element of the upper portion of the container body, and wherein the outer surface of the lid is configured to engage the at least one engagement element of the upper portion of the container body. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the slot extends axially from the upper portion of the container body to the base of the container body. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the slot has a primary elongate portion that is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container and a distal portion that is oriented at a selected acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the container, wherein the distal portion of the slot extends radially outwardly from the primary elongate portion of the slot relative to the transverse axis. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the base has an outer surface, and wherein the base defines at least one drainage opening in fluid communication with the slot and extending from the slot to the outer surface of the base. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the slot extends axially from the upper portion of the container body to a distal location that is axially between the upper portion of the container body and the base of the container body. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the slot has a primary elongate portion that is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container and a distal portion that is oriented at a selected acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the container, wherein the distal portion of the slot extends radially outwardly from the primary elongate portion of the slot relative to the transverse axis. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one side wall defines at least one drainage opening in fluid communication with the slot and extending from the slot to the outer surface of the at least one side wall. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a utensil housing positioned within the slot and having a complementary shape to the slot, wherein the utensil housing is selectively removable from the slot. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side wall of the container body comprises thermally insulating material. 
     
     
         17 . A utensil having a longitudinal axis and comprising:
 a distal handle portion having an outer surface and opposed proximal and distal ends;   a proximal handle portion comprising a hollow shaft configured to receive at least a portion of the distal handle portion, the proximal handle portion having opposed proximal and distal ends; and   a collar coupled to the distal end of the proximal handle portion and configured to receive a portion of the distal handle portion,   wherein the distal handle portion is slidingly coupled to the proximal handle portion to permit retraction of the distal handle portion through the collar and into the hollow shaft of the proximal handle portion, and   wherein the collar defines a distal edge that is configured to block material on the outer surface of the distal handle portion from entering the hollow shaft of the proximal handle portion as the distal handle portion is retracted into the hollow shaft of the proximal handle portion.   
     
     
         18 . The utensil of  claim 17 , wherein the distal end of the distal handle portion defines a spoon element. 
     
     
         19 . A container system comprising;
 a container having a longitudinal axis and comprising:
 a container body having:
 a base, 
 at least one side wall extending upwardly from the base relative to the longitudinal axis, the at least one side wall comprising an outer surface and an inner surface spaced from the outer surface relative to a transverse axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container, wherein the at least one side wall defines an upper portion of the container body that is opposed from the base, the inner surface of the at least one side wall and the base cooperating to define an interior chamber of the container, and wherein the upper portion of the container body comprises at least one engagement element, 
 a slot defined within the at least one side wall, wherein the slot is positioned between the outer surface and the inner surface of the at least one side wall relative to the transverse axis, and wherein the slot extends axially from the upper portion of the container body toward the base relative to the longitudinal axis of the container, and 
 
 a lid that is configured to engage at least one engagement element of the upper portion of the container body such that the lid, the inner surface of the at least one side wall, and the base cooperate to enclose the interior chamber; and 
   a utensil, wherein the slot is configured to receive at least a portion of the utensil, and wherein the utensil is selectively removable from the slot.   
     
     
         20 . The container system of  claim 19 , wherein the utensil has a longitudinal axis and comprises:
 a distal handle portion having an outer surface and opposed proximal and distal ends;   a proximal handle portion comprising a hollow shaft configured to receive at least a portion of the distal handle portion, the proximal handle portion having opposed proximal and distal ends; and   a collar coupled to the distal end of the proximal handle portion and configured to receive a portion of the distal handle portion,   wherein the distal handle portion is slidingly coupled to the proximal handle portion to permit retraction of the distal handle portion through the collar and into the hollow shaft of the proximal handle portion, and   wherein the collar defines a distal edge that is configured to block material on the outer surface of the distal handle portion from entering the hollow shaft of the proximal handle portion as the distal handle portion is retracted into the hollow shaft of the proximal handle portion.