Food container systems

Abstract

A food container system may include a food container and a removable insert. The food container may include a container body defining a container cavity and a container lid adapted to couple with the container body. The removable insert may be configured to receive a food item and may include an insert body defining an insert cavity and an insert cap adapted to couple with the insert body. The removable insert may be sized and shaped to be received within the container cavity such that the container lid may be coupled to the container body when the removable insert is positioned within the container cavity. The food container may be configured to maintain a temperature of a food item positioned therein. The removable insert may comprise materials that may be microwaved or otherwise reheated such that the food item may be reheated within the removable insert.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A food container system comprising:
 a food container comprising a container body defining a container cavity and a container lid adapted to couple with the container body to enclose the container cavity; and   a removable insert configured to receive a food item and comprising an insert body defining an insert cavity and an insert cap adapted to couple with the insert body to enclose the insert cavity,   wherein the removable insert is sized and shaped to be received within the container cavity such that the container lid may be coupled to the container body when the removable insert is positioned within the container cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The food container of  claim 1 , wherein the food container comprises a wall including: (a) an inner wall member and (b) an outer wall member, and (c) a vacuum space located between the inner wall member and the outer wall member. 
     
     
         3 . The food container of  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the insert cap comprises a projection that extends above an adjacent portion of the insert cap. 
     
     
         4 . The food container of  claim 3 , wherein an inner surface of the container lid includes a depression adapted to receive the projection of the insert cap when the container lid is coupled to the container body with the removable insert positioned within the container cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The food container of  claim 1 , wherein the container lid further comprises a valve for dissipating negative pressure formed within the food container. 
     
     
         6 . The food container of  claim 1 , wherein the insert body comprises a polymeric material or glass. 
     
     
         7 . The food container of  claim 1 , wherein a perimeter portion of the insert cap extends over an upper edge of the insert body. 
     
     
         8 . The food container system of  claim 7 , wherein the perimeter portion of the insert cap extends beyond the upper edge of the insert body. 
     
     
         9 . The food container of  claim 1 , wherein the removable insert further comprises a gasket interposed between the insert cap and the insert body when the insert cap is coupled to the insert body. 
     
     
         10 . The food container system of  claim 1 , wherein the container body comprises an inner wall having an inner wall shape and wherein the insert body comprises an outer wall having an outer wall shape, wherein the inner wall shape and the outer wall shape are complementary. 
     
     
         11 . The food container system of  claim 1 , wherein the insert cap is press-fit onto the insert body. 
     
     
         12 . The food container system of  claim 1 , wherein the insert body is opaque or clear. 
     
     
         13 . A food container system comprising:
 a food container including (a) a container body formed of a metallic material, the container body defining a container cavity, and (b) a container lid adapted to couple to the container body; and   a removable insert defining a cavity and comprising a non-metallic material;   wherein the removable insert is configured to seat within the container cavity such that the container lid may couple to the container body when the removable insert is seated within the container cavity; and   wherein the container lid contacts the removable insert when the removable insert is seated within the container body.   
     
     
         14 . The food container system of  claim 13 , wherein the container body comprises a wall further comprising a first wall member and a second wall member, wherein the first and second wall members are separated by a vacuum. 
     
     
         15 . The food container system of  claim 13 , wherein the removable insert comprises a body portion and a lid, and wherein the body portion comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         16 . The food container system of  claim 13 , wherein the container lid further comprises a release valve for dissipating negative pressure formed within the food container. 
     
     
         17 . The food container of  claim 13 , wherein the removable insert comprises:
 an insert body; and   an insert cap adapted to couple to the insert body,   wherein   an upper surface of the insert cap comprises a projection that extends above an adjacent portion of the insert cap.   
     
     
         18 . The food container system of  claim 17 , wherein the insert body comprises a transparent material. 
     
     
         19 . A food container system comprising:
 a food container comprising a container body defining a container cavity and a container lid adapted to couple with the container body to enclose the container cavity; and   a removable insert configured to receive a food item and comprising an insert body defining an insert cavity and an insert cap adapted to couple with the insert body to enclose the insert cavity,   wherein:
 an inner surface of the container lid comprises a depression; 
 the insert body comprises a polymeric or glass material; 
 an outer surface of the insert cap comprises a projection adapted to seat within the depression; and 
 the removable insert is sized and shaped to be received within the container cavity such that the container lid may be coupled to the container body when the removable insert is positioned within the container cavity.