Containers With Removal Tray Inserts

Abstract

A packaging system is provided wherein a main container is used having an inner ledge section on which one or more insert containers can rest. The ledge is provided below the rim of the main container so that the insert container is supported within the main container, but does not interfere with closing of the main container. The main container and insert containers also preferably include corresponding ridge and recess sections that provide interference fitting of the insert container into the main container. This prevents unwanted movement of the insert container within the main container. The packaging system allows the producer and user to stock, ship and use only the components suited for their particular use, and thus provides flexibility in their particular applications.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A packaging system comprising a main container having a main container body, and an optional lid, and
 at least one insert container which is smaller than said main container body, and which is capable of being fitted within said main container body,   wherein said main container body includes connected side sections and a bottom section, a rim section around the upper surface of the main container body, a inwardly extending ledge, preferably on one or more of the sides of the main container, below the rim section, and one or more ridges or recess sections on one or more side sections, and wherein,   said insert container includes connected side sections, a bottom section, and a protruding lip section at or near the top of at least one side of the insert container, wherein, the protruding lip is adapted to be placed onto at least part of the inner ledge of the main container, and wherein one or more side sections of the insert container additionally include a ridge or recess section which corresponds to the ridge or recess section on the main container, and which is adapted to be fitted within the ridge or recess section of the main container when said insert container is placed within said main container.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging system of  claim 1  wherein said main container includes a main container body and a lid, and wherein the lid and main container body include a closing mechanism so that said lid will substantially close the main container body. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging system of  claim 2  wherein said lid is connected to said main container body by a flexible hinge. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging system of  claim 1  wherein the main container and/or the insert container is transparent. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging system of  claim 1  wherein the main container body, the optional lid, and/or the insert container are made from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonates, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or vinyl, or mixtures thereof and therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging system of  claim 1  wherein said packaging system comprises one or two insert containers. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging system of  claim 1  wherein any or all of said insert containers comprise at least one compartment. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging system of  claim 7  wherein any or all of said insert containers comprise one or two compartments. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging system of  claim 1  wherein said insert container, or a compartment thereof, is sealed. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging system of  claim 9  wherein said insert container, or a compartment thereof, is sealed by a foil seal. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging system of  claim 6  having two insert containers, wherein said insert containers include a central lip section facing the interior of the main container body, and the central lip sections of the two insert containers abut one another, overlap with each other, or are separated by a gap. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging system of  claim 11  wherein the central lip sections of the two insert containers overlap with each other, and each central lip section includes a mating section. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging system of  claim 12  wherein said mating section is provided by a ridge on each central lip section, and wherein said ridges on each central lip section interlock one with the other, when said insert containers are inserted into said container body. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging system of  claim 1  wherein said main container body, said optional lid, and/or said insert container or containers, is thermoformed. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging system of  claim 14 , wherein the main container body, said lid, or said insert container or containers, is pressure formed from sheet material, followed by a stamping operation to separate each from the sheet material. 
     
     
         16 . The packaging system of  claim 1  wherein said ledge is located at the normal fill line of said main container body. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging system of  claim 2  wherein said ledge is located below said closing mechanism so that closing said lid is not affected by having one or more inserts being located within said main container body.