Container and support frame system for bulk products

Abstract

A container and supporting frame is provided for bulk storage of products intended to be scooped or scraped. A re-usable frame surrounds and supports a disposable container. The base of the frame includes a channel to support a lower lip of the container. An upper portion of the frame includes a contact surface, which may be a groove, for receiving a rim of the container. The frame supports the container against outward forces exerted by the user.

1 . A frame for receiving a container, the container having a bottom, at least one side, and a rim disposed along the side to define a container opening, the frame comprising:
 a bottom support for contacting the bottom of the container;   at least one side support for contacting the at least one side of the container;   an upper portion of the at least one side support defining a frame opening for receiving the container; and   a lower portion joining the at least one side support to the bottom support;   wherein the container is detached from the frame.   
     
     
         2 . A frame for receiving a container, the container having a bottom, at least one side, a lower lip joining the at least one side to the bottom, and a rim disposed along the side to define a container opening, the frame comprising:
 a bottom support for contacting the bottom of the container;   at least one side support for contacting the at least one side of the container;   an upper portion of the at least one side support defining a frame opening for receiving the container; and   a lower portion joining the at least one side support to the bottom support, the lower portion defining a channel for receiving the lower lip of the container, the channel comprising an outer wall and an inner wall for receiving and supporting the lower lip of the container.   
     
     
         3 . A frame for receiving a container, the container having a bottom, at least one side, and a rim disposed along the side to define a container opening, and a groove between the rim and the at least one side, the frame comprising:
 a bottom support for contacting the bottom of the container;   at least one side support for contacting the at least one side of the container;   a lower portion joining the at least one side support to the bottom support; and   an upper portion of the at least one side support defining a frame opening for receiving the container, wherein the upper portion defines a contact surface for receiving and supporting the rim of the container, and the contact surface is a groove complementary to the rim of the container.   
     
     
         4 . The frame of  claim 2 , wherein the container is detached from the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The frame of  claim 1 , further comprising a lower lip joining the at least one side to the bottom, wherein the lower portion defines a channel for receiving the lower lip of the container, the channel comprising an outer wall and an inner wall for receiving and supporting the lower lip of the container. 
     
     
         6 . The frame of  claim 2 , further comprising a groove between the rim and the at least one side, wherein the upper portion defines a contact surface for receiving and supporting the rim of the container, and the contact surface comprises a ridge received by the groove of the container. 
     
     
         7 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the container is frustoconical. 
     
     
         8 . The frame of  claim 7 , wherein the frame is frustoconical. 
     
     
         9 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the container is a cylindrical, triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, or octagonal prism. 
     
     
         10 . The frame of  claim 9 , wherein the frame is a cylindrical, triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, or octagonal prism. 
     
     
         11 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side support is of skeletal construction. 
     
     
         12 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom support comprises a hub and spoke arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is configured to nest with another frame of similar construction. 
     
     
         14 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the container contains ice cream, sorbet, gelato, vegetable shortening, or cookie dough. 
     
     
         15 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is constructed from freezer grade resin. 
     
     
         16 . A kit comprising:
 a. a container having a bottom, at least one side, a lower lip joining the at least one side to the bottom, and a rim disposed along the side to define a container opening; and   b. a frame according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the container further comprises a lid. 
     
     
         18 . A method of filling a container having a bottom, at least one side, a lower lip joining the at least one side to the bottom, and a rim disposed along the side to define a container opening, the method comprising:
 a. placing the container into a frame according to  claim 1 ;   b. filling the container with a bulk product intended to be scooped or scraped out of the container.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising removing the frame for reuse. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the frame is removed prior to transporting the bulk product from a filling location to a use location. 
     
     
         21 . A method of disposing of a container having a bottom, at least one side, a lower lip joining the at least one side to the bottom, and a rim disposed along the side to define a container opening, the method comprising:
 a. lifting the container from a frame according to  claim 1 ;   b. disposing of or recycling the container; and   c. re-using the frame with a second container of similar construction.