FOOD STORAGE CUP AND LID WITH ENHANCED FOOD STORAGE

Abstract

A food container adapted to store at least two different food products and a method of filling a food container are provided. The food container generally includes a container cup and a lid configured for food storage. In one embodiment, the lid includes two or more compartments. The container cup is adapted to hold a first product and the lid compartments are adapted to hold a second product and a third product. The container cup and the lid may be separately sealed. The lid and container cup can be selectively interconnected. Optionally, a first lid can be clipped or attached to a second lid.

Claims

1. A food storage system configured to store at least two different food products, comprising: a first lid including a first body with an upper end, a lower opening, and a first compartment within the first body; a second lid including a second body with an upper end, a lower opening, and a second compartment within the second body, the second lid being configured to selectively attach to the first lid; and a container cup with a closed end, a sidewall, a cup compartment defined by the sidewall and the closed end, and an upper opening, wherein the first and second lids are configured to be selectively interconnected to the container cup.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a first food product is provided within the first compartment, a second food product is provided within the second compartment, and a third food product is provided within the cup compartment.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first and second food products are treated with two different food preservation processes.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first body is oriented at an angle of between approximately 93 and 99 relative to a plane defined by the upper end.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first body includes indentations forming scallops, the indentations extending from a lower portion of the first body to the upper end of the first lid.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first lid includes an attachment means configured to selectively interconnect to an engagement means of the container cup.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the attachment means of the first lid comprises a first flange with an outer curl, the first flange extending from the first body, and wherein the engagement means of the container cup comprises a second flange extending from the sidewall.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first lid includes a partition wall dividing the first compartment into a first storage area and a second storage area for storing two different food products.

9. A food container configured to store at least two different food products, comprising: a lid having: an upper end; a body; at least one lid compartment within the body; a lower opening; a first flange extending outwardly from the body; a curl extending downwardly from an outer portion of the first flange; and an engagement feature extending inwardly relative to an inwardly facing surface of the curl; and a container cup including: a closed end; a sidewall a cup compartment defined by the sidewall and the closed end; an upper opening; a second flange extending outwardly from the sidewall; and a free end that extends downwardly from an outer portion of the second flange, wherein the engagement feature of the lid is configured to selectively engage the container cup to interconnect the lid to the container cup.

10. The food container of claim 9, wherein the lid includes a partition wall dividing the at least one lid compartment into a first compartment and a second compartment for storing different food products.

11. The food container of claim 10, wherein: a first food product is sealed in the first compartment of the lid; a second food product is sealed in the second compartment of the lid; and a third food product is sealed in the cup compartment.

12. The food container of claim 11, wherein the first, second, and third food products have been treated with at least two different food preservation processes.

13. The food container of claim 9, wherein, when the lid and the container cup are interconnected, the lower opening of the lid is oriented toward the upper opening of the container cup.

14. The food container of claim 9, wherein, when the lid and the container cup are interconnected, a lower surface of the first flange is generally parallel to an upper surface of the second flange and the annular bead contacts a lower surface of the free end of the second flange.

15. A lid for a food storage system, comprising: a body with an upper end, a lower opening, and a compartment within the body that is configured to store a food product; a flange extending outwardly from the body; a curl extending downwardly from an outer portion of the flange; and an engagement feature extending inwardly relative to an interior surface of the curl, wherein the flange is configured to engage a portion of a container cup to selectively interconnect the lid to the container cup.

16. The lid of claim 15, further comprising a partition wall to divide the compartment into a first compartment and a second compartment for storing two different food products.

17. The lid of claim 16, wherein the partition wall is fluted such that a horizontal cross-section of the partition wall includes a crest and a trough.

18. The lid of claim 15, wherein the body slopes outwardly from the upper end to the lower opening.

19. The lid of claim 18, wherein the body slopes outwardly at an angle of between approximately 3 and 9 relative to a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the upper end.

20. The lid of claim 15, wherein the flange is approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the upper end, and wherein the curl slopes outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions.

[0055] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a food container of one embodiment of the present disclosure including a lid interconnected to a container cup;

[0056] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional front elevation view of the food container taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0057] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional front elevation view of the food container illustrating a curl of the lid engaged to a flange of the container cup;

[0058] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lid of one embodiment;

[0059] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the lid of FIG. 4;

[0060] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the lid of FIG. 4;

[0061] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional front elevation view of the lid taken along line 7A-7A of FIG. 5;

[0062] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional front elevation view similar to FIG. 7A but illustrating a lid of another embodiment of the present disclosure that includes only one compartment;

[0063] FIG. 8 is an expanded partial front elevation view of the lid of FIG. 7A;

[0064] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the lid of FIG. 4 and showing a partition wall within a compartment of the cup;

[0065] FIG. 10 is another front elevation view of the lid of FIG. 4;

[0066] FIG. 11 is a bottom cross-sectional view of the lid taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

[0067] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a container cup of one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0068] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the container cup of FIG. 12;

[0069] FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the container cup of FIG. 12;

[0070] FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the container cup of FIG. 12;

[0071] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional front elevation view of the container cup taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 14;

[0072] FIG. 17 is an expanded partial front elevation view of the container cup of FIG. 16;

[0073] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a lid of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0074] FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the lid of FIG. 18;

[0075] FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the lid of FIG. 18;

[0076] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the lid taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 20; and

[0077] FIG. 22 is an expanded view of a portion of the lid of FIG. 21;

[0078] Similar components and/or features may have the same reference number. Components of the same type may be distinguished by a letter following the reference number. If only the reference number is used, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same reference number. To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:

TABLE-US-00001 Number Component 4 Container 8 Lid 10 Upper end 11 Adhesive layer 12 Body 13 Recess 14 Grip element or scallop 16 Compartment 18 Interior surface 20 Partition wall 21 Free end 22 Crest 24 Intermediate element 26 Attachment means 28 Flange of lid 28A Lower surface of flange 30 Curl 30A Interior surface of the curl 32 Engagement feature such as an annular bead 32A Engagement feature such as a protrusion 33 Outer flange 34 Lower opening 36 Gap 36A Length of gap 40 Container cup 42 Closed end 44 Dome 46 Rib 48 Sidewall 50 Flange of container cup 52 Free end 52A Distance between free end and the flange of the cup 54 Compartment 56 Upper opening 58 Flange outer surface

[0079] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a container 4 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the container 4 generally comprises a lid 8 and a container cup 40. Optionally, the lid 8 and the container cup 40 can be formed of one or more of a plastic, an extruded polystyrene foam, a paper, and similar materials.

[0081] Referring now to FIGS. 4-11, the lid 8 includes an upper end 10, a body 12 extending downwardly from the upper end 10, and a lower opening 34 in opposing relationship to the upper end 10. The body 12 is substantially hollow and defines at least one compartment 16.

[0082] Optionally, the body 12 tapers inwardly toward the upper end 10. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the lower opening 34 has a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the upper end 10. In one embodiment, body 12 slopes inwardly at an angle of less than approximately 10.

[0083] The lid 8 is configured to selectively attach to the container cup 40 by an attachment means 26. In one embodiment, the attachment means 26 is adapted to snap onto the container cup 40.

[0084] The attachment means 26 can comprise a flange 28, illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8, that extends from the body 12. The flange 28 includes a curl 30 and an annular bead 32 that faces inwardly. Optionally, the flange 28 extends substantially radially away from the body 12. More specifically, in one embodiment the flange 28 is oriented generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lid 8, the longitudinal axis being approximately perpendicular to the upper end 10 of the lid.

[0085] Optionally, the curl 30 slopes outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the curl 30 is oriented at an angle of between approximately 1 and approximately 10, or approximately 3 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lid 8. The flange 28 extends outwardly from the body 12 such that an interior surface 30A of the curl 30 is spaced a predetermined distance from the body 12. In one embodiment, the curl interior surface 30A is at least approximately 0.190 inches from the body 12. The curl interior surface 30A can optionally be between approximately 0.190 inches and approximately 0.205 inches from the body 12.

[0086] The annular bead 32 extends inwardly from the curl interior surface 30A. Optionally, the annular bead can have a rounded or curved surface. In one embodiment, a vertical cross-section of the annular bead 32 has a shape that is generally hemispherical. The annular bead 32 can be spaced from a lower surface 28A of the flange 28 by a predetermined distance 36A. In this manner, the lower surface 28A and the bead 32 define a gap 36. In one embodiment, the distance 36A is at least approximately 0.08 inches. The gap 36 is configured to receive a flange 50 of a container cup 40 as generally illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0087] The attachment means 26 may selectively attach the lid to the container cup in other ways. For example, in one embodiment, the attachment means 26 includes threads which engage corresponding threads formed on the container cup.

[0088] Optionally, two or more lids 8 may be joined together. For example, at a point of sale, a consumer may select two or more lids 8 with food products to be consumed with a food product sealed in a container cup 40. Each lid 8 may include two or more different food products. After selecting the two or more lids 8, the consumer can connect the second lid to the first lid. One of the first and second lids can also be connected to the container cup 40 selected by the consumer.

[0089] In one embodiment, the attachment means 26 of a first lid 8 is configured to engage bot a flange of a container cup and a body 12 of a second lid 8. For example, the first lid 8 can be joined to the second lid 8 using the attachment means 26.

[0090] In another embodiment, lids 8 of the present disclosure can be selectively interconnected together with a snap fit or similar means. For example, the lids can include a projection and a recess. A projection of a first lid can engage a recess of a second lid to selectively interconnect the first and second lids together. Optionally, the projection and recess can be positioned on an exterior surface of the upper end 10 of the lids.

[0091] In still another embodiment, the lids can include a hook and loop material, such as Velcro, that can be used to join two or more lids 8 together.

[0092] Additionally, or alternatively, in another embodiment of the present disclosure a first lid 8 can be releasably joined to a second lid 8 by an adhesive 11. For example, a consumer can remove a cover from an adhesive layer or tape 11 on the first lid 8. The consumer can then use the exposed adhesive layer to selectively join the second lid to the first lid. In one embodiment, the lids 8 include an adhesive layer 11 on an exterior surface of the upper end 10 such as generally illustrated in FIG. 5. The adhesive layer 11 can be covered by a protective cover configured to be removed by a consumer. Optionally, the consumer can join the upper end 10 of the first lid to the upper end 10 of the second lid. Alternatively, the consumer can join the upper end 10 of the first lid to a seal covering the lower opening and compartment of the second lid.

[0093] In one embodiment, a lid 8A can have only one interior compartment 16 as generally illustrated in FIG. 7B. Alternatively, and referring now to FIG. 7A, in another embodiment a partition wall 20 optionally extends from an interior surface 18 of the body 12. The partition wall 20 divides the compartment 16 into at least a first compartment 16A and a second compartment 16B. The partition wall 20 includes a free end 21 positioned distal to the closed upper end 10 of the lid 8.

[0094] Optionally, the first and second compartments 16A, 16B are of substantially the same volume. Alternatively, one of the compartments 16A may have a different volume than the other compartment 16B. Although only one partition wall 20 is illustrated, the lid 8 may include two or more partition walls forming from two to six compartments 16 in the lid.

[0095] The compartment 16 can be sealed by a disc (not illustrated) comprising a plastic film or metal foil. The sealing disc may be affixed the body 12. More specifically, in one embodiment, a sealing disc is affixed to at least a portion of the flange 28 and the free end 21 of the partition wall to seal the first and second compartments 16A, 16B. Optionally, the sealing disc can be configured to permit opening the first and second compartments 16A, 16B individually at separate times. The sealing disc can be scored or configured to tear along the free end 21 of the partition wall 20 such that one of the compartments 16 can be opened while the other one of the compartments remains sealed. In one embodiment, the first and second compartments 16A, 16B are individually sealed by separate pieces of sealing plastic or metal foil.

[0096] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 9, and 11, in one embodiment, the partition wall 20 has a shape that is fluted or furrowed. More specifically, a horizontal cross-section of the partition wall 20 may have a shape of a wave. In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 11, the partition wall 20 may comprise a plurality of crests 22 connected by intermediate elements 24. In one embodiment, the intermediate elements 24 are generally planar. Alternatively, the intermediate elements 24 may have an arcuate shape. As one of skill in the art will appreciate, the furrowed partition wall 20 increases the rigidity of the lid.

[0097] The fluted shape of the partition wall 20 provides several benefits. For example, the fluted shape can increase the strength or rigidity of the lid 8. The fluted partition wall 20 also increases the surface area of the free end 21. Accordingly, more surface area is provided on the free end 21 to adhere a sealing disc to the lid 8. In this manner, the strength of the seal between the sealing disc and the lid is improved.

[0098] The fluted shape of the partition wall 20 can also improve the release of food products from the first and second compartments 16A, 16B. The fluted shape can reduce suction and improve pouring of a liquid product from one of the compartments 16A, 16B. For example, the crests 22 of the partition wall can improve air flow into a compartment as a liquid product is poured from the compartment, resulting in an even flow and preventing or reducing glugging. The crests 22 can also reduce friction between the partition wall 20 and a generally solid food product stored in a compartment 16. Accordingly, the generally solid food product can be removed from the compartment more easily.

[0099] Optionally, the body 12 includes grip features 14. The grip features 14 may comprise a plurality of scallops. The grip features 14 are best seen in FIG. 5 proximate the intersection of the body 12 and the upper end 10.

[0100] A lid 8 may be colored to indicate a food product stored in one or more of the compartments 16. For example, a first lid may have a first color or indicia indicative of a first product stored in a compartment. A second lid can have a second color or indicia related to a second product stored in a compartment.

[0101] Each lid 8 may optionally have a color or indicia associated with each food product stored in the two or more compartments 16. Accordingly, a lid 8 with two compartments 16A, 16B can have a first color or indicia associated with a first food product to be stored in the first compartment 16A and a second color or indicia associated with a second food product to be stored in the second compartment 16B.

[0102] Similarly, a second lid which has three compartments 16 can have a third color or indicia associated with a third food product to be stored in a first compartment. The second lid can also include a fourth color or indicia associated with a fourth product to be stored in a second compartment and a fifth color or indicia associated with a fifth product to be stored in a third compartment of the second lid.

[0103] Referring now to FIGS. 12-17, a container cup 40 of one embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The container cup 40 generally includes a closed end 42, a sidewall 48 extending upwardly from the closed end, and an upper opening 56 in an opposing relationship to the closed end 42. The closed end and sidewall define a compartment 54.

[0104] Optionally, at least a portion of the sidewall 48 can be covered by an insulating material. For example, the sidewall can be at least partially covered by a second material that is different than a material from which the container cup 40 is formed. In one embodiment, the second material comprises a plastic, an extruded polystyrene foam, a paper, rubber, and similar materials. Optionally, the second material can be paperboard. Additionally, the insulating material can be removably affixed to an exterior surface of the sidewall 48. Alternatively, the insulating material can be permanently affixed to the sidewall. Indicia, such as a product description including text, can be formed on one or more of the sidewall 48 and the insulating material.

[0105] In one embodiment, the closed end 42 has a shape of an inwardly oriented dome 44. One or more ribs 46 may extend inwardly from the sidewall 48 and attach to the closed end.

[0106] The sidewall 48 is configured to selectively engage the lid 8. In one embodiment, a flange 50 extends from the sidewall.

[0107] Referring now to FIG. 17, the flange 50 extends a predetermined distance 52A from the sidewall 48. In one embodiment, the distance 52A is between approximately 0.190 inches and approximately 0.220 inches. The flange 50 may extend substantially radially from the sidewall 48. More specifically, the flange 50 can be oriented approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cup 40. Additionally, or alternatively, an outer surface 58 of the flange 50 can be oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cup. Optionally, the outer surface 58 can be oriented at an angle of between approximately 1 and approximate 5, or about 3 relative to the cup longitudinal axis.

[0108] The flange 50 optionally includes a free end 52 that extends downwardly towards the closed end 42. The free end 52 of the flange 50 can have a rounded cross-sectional profile. The free end 52 is spaced a predetermined distance 52A from the flange 50. In one embodiment, the distance 52A between the free end 52 and the flange 50 is between approximately 0.18 inches and approximately 0.10 inches or approximately 0.090 inches.

[0109] Referring now to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the cup flange 50 is configured to be substantially parallel to the lid flange 28 when the lid 8 is affixed to the cup 40. Additionally, the free end 52 of the cup flange 50 can fit into the gap 36 between the lid flange 28 and the annular bead 32 of the cup. In one embodiment, the lid annular bead 32 contacts a lower surface of the free end 52 when the lid 8 is affixed to the cup 40.

[0110] The lid flange 28 and the cup flange 50 optionally form engagement surfaces for seals to close the compartments 16, 54 of the lid 8 and container cup 40. The seals may comprise a plastic film or a foil disc or sheet. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a lower surface of the lid flange 28 may be offset from an upper surface of the cup flange 50 when the lid 8 and container cup 40 are interconnected to form the container 4.

[0111] Referring again to FIGS. 12-17, the sidewall 48 of the cup 40 can optionally taper inwardly toward the closed end 42. Specifically, in one embodiment, the upper opening 56 has a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the closed end 42. In one embodiment, the sidewall 48 slopes inwardly at an angle of less than approximately 10. Optionally, the angle of the cup sidewall 48 is approximately opposite to the angle of the lid body 12. In one embodiment, the sidewall 48 slopes inwardly at an angle of between approximately 5 and approximately 8.

[0112] Dimensions are included in FIGS. 3-7, 9-11 and 13-16 to illustrate exemplary embodiments of the lid 8 and the container cup 40 of the present disclosure. However, it is expressly contemplated that dimensions may be varied in the lid 8 and the container cup 40 and still comport with the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0113] The lid 8 optionally has a height of between approximately 1.25 inches and 2.25 inches or approximately 1.5 inches and an interior diameter of the lower opening 34 is between approximately 3.0 inches and 4.25 inches. In one embodiment, the body has a thickness of between approximately 0.025 inches and approximately 0.055 inches with the partition wall 20 being between approximately 0.065 inches and approximately 0.095 inches thick.

[0114] In one embodiment, the sidewall 48 of the container cup has a thickness of between approximately 0.025 inches and approximately 0.045 inches. The container cup 40 has a height of between approximately 3.5 inches and 5.0 inches. Optionally, a diameter of the closed end 42 is between approximately 2.25 inches and approximately 3.5 inches. The upper opening has an interior diameter of between about 3.0 inches and 4.25 inches.

[0115] The lid 8 and container cup 40 may be filled with different food products. In one embodiment, a first food product is prepared according to a first process. The first food product is then placed in a compartment 16 of the lid 8. The open end 34 of the lid 8 is then sealed. Optionally, a disc of a sealing material is interconnected to the lid flange 28. The sealing material can also be interconnected to the free end 21 of the partition wall. The disc may be of any suitable material known to those of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the material comprises a plastic film or a metal foil.

[0116] Continuing this example, a second food product is prepared according to a second process. The compartment 54 of the container cup 40 is then filled with the second food product. The open end 56 of the container cup 40 is then sealed. In one embodiment, a disc of sealing material is interconnected to the cup flange 50. Optionally, the sealing material is one of a plastic film and a metal foil. The sealing material may be the same as, or different than, the material used to seal the lid lower opening.

[0117] Food products can be treated before or after being positioned in the lid compartment 16 and/or the cup compartment 54. Optionally, the compartments 16, 54 can be sealed before food products therein are treated. In one embodiment, food products stored in compartments 16, 54 can be treated by one or more of a stream process, high pressure processing, high hydrostatic pressure processing, and the like.

[0118] Optionally, the lid 8 may be connected to the container cup 40. When the lid 8 and container cup 40 are interconnected, the lid opening 34 is oriented toward the cup opening 56. In one embodiment, a single disc of sealing material can seal both the lid compartment 16 and the cup compartment 54. More specifically, the sealing material can be adhered to the lid 8 to seal the lid compartment. The lid may then be aligned with the container cup 40 with the sealing material facing the upper opening 56 of the container cup. When the lid is connected to the container cup, the sealing material adhered to the lid 8 will also seal the cup upper opening 56.

[0119] Alternatively, the lid 8 and container cup 40 may by stored, shipped, and sold separately. In one embodiment, lids 8 with a plurality of different food products may be offered for sale separately from container cups 40 with two or more different food products. In this manner, a customer can select a container cup 40 with a desired food product and a lid 8 with a complimentary food product. For example, a first container cup may include oatmeal and a second container cup may store yogurt. A first lid may store nuts and a second lid may contain dried or fresh fruit.

[0120] Optionally, the first and second lids can each contain two or more food products. In various embodiments, the lids can be selectively interconnected providing the consumer the flexibility to create a custom container 4. For example, the consumer may select a first lid and a second lid which each contain two compartments with two or more desired products. The consumer can then connect the first lid to the second lid. A container cup 40 with another desired food product may be selected by the consumer from a plurality of container cups containing different food products. One of the first and second lids 8 can then be connected to the selected container cup 40 by the consumer. In this manner, the consumer can create a container 4 which includes a container cup 40 with a first food product, a first lid 8 with one or more food products, and at least a second lid 8 with one or more additional food products. Additionally, it is contemplated that a user may continue to select and purchase lids of the present disclosure without a limitation on quantity. A user may select a plurality of lids in accordance with the present disclosure and is not limited to any particular lid or group of lids.

[0121] Referring now to FIGS. 18-22, a lid 8B of another embodiment of the present disclosure is generally illustrated. The lid 8B includes many of the same, or similar, features of other embodiments of lids disclosed herein, including the lids 8, 8A described in conjunction with FIGS. 4-11. In one embodiment, the lid 8B has the same dimensions as the lid 8 described herein.

[0122] Lid 8B generally includes an upper end 10, a body 12 extending downwardly from the upper end 10, and a lower opening 34 in opposing relationship to the upper end 10. The body 12 is substantially hollow and defines at least one compartment 16.

[0123] Optionally, the body 12 tapers inwardly toward the upper end 10. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the lower opening 34 has a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the upper end 10. In one embodiment, body 12 slopes inwardly at an angle of less than approximately 10.

[0124] A portion of the upper end 10 can optionally include a depression or recess 13. The recess can be configured to increase the strength of the lid 8B.

[0125] The lid 8B is configured to selectively attach to a container cup 40 of any embodiment of the present disclosure by an attachment means 26. In one embodiment, the attachment means 26 is adapted to snap onto the container cup 40.

[0126] The attachment means 26 can comprise a flange 28, illustrated in FIG. 22, that extends from the body 12. The flange 28 includes a curl 30 and an inwardly oriented engagement feature 32A. The engagement feature can be a protrusion 32A oriented inwardly.

[0127] Optionally, the flange 28 extends substantially radially away from the body 12. More specifically, in one embodiment the flange 28 is oriented generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lid 8B, the longitudinal axis being approximately perpendicular to the upper end 10 of the lid.

[0128] In one embodiment, the curl 30 is oriented substantially parallel relative to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the curl 30 is oriented at an angle less than approximately 2 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lid 8B. The flange 28 extends outwardly from the body 12 such that an interior surface 30A of the curl 30 is spaced a predetermined distance from the body 12. In one embodiment, the curl interior surface 30A is at least approximately 0.190 inches from the body 12. The curl interior surface 30A can optionally be between approximately 0.190 inches and approximately 0.205 inches from the body 12.

[0129] The protrusion 32A is similar to the annular bead 32 of the lid 8. More specifically, the protrusion 32 extends inwardly from the curl interior surface 30A. Optionally, the protrusion 32A can have a vertical cross-sectional profile of a triangle. The protrusion 32A can be spaced from a lower surface 28A of the flange 28 by a predetermined distance 36A. In this manner, the lower surface 28A and the protrusion 32A define a gap 36. In one embodiment, the distance 36A is at least approximately 0.11 inches, or optionally about 0.1 inches. The gap 36 is configured to receive a flange 50 of a container cup 40 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 3.

[0130] The cup 8B can optionally include an outer flange 33. More specifically, an outer flange 33 can extend from the protrusion 32A. In one embodiment, the outer flange 33 is oriented approximately parallel to the first flange 28. The outer flange can have an outer diameter of between approximately 4.1 inches and approximately 4.5 inches, or approximately 4.30 inches.

[0131] The outer flange 33 can optionally be configured as a lever to facilitate separating the lid 8B from a container cup 40. More specifically, a user can apply a force to the outer flange 33 to bend the outer flange 33 upwardly toward the upper end of the lid. In this manner, the protrusion 32A can be bent or hinged outwardly to increase the minimum interior diameter of the protrusion 32A.

[0132] The lid 8B can be formed of a thermoplastic polymer. In one embodiment, the lid comprises a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material.

[0133] Optionally, the lid can be produced by a thermal forming method. For example, in one embodiment, a sheet of PET material is heated. A lid mold which is configured to form a lid is pressed into the heated sheet of PET. The lid is subsequently cut from the sheet.

[0134] One or more products can be stored in a compartment 16 of the lid 8B. Optionally, the lid 8B can include a partition wall 20 and two or more compartments 16. In one embodiment, the compartment 16 of the lid 8B can be sealed with a sealing material, such as a plastic, a metal foil, or a paper. Additionally, or alternatively, a product can be sealed in a package before being positioned within the compartment 16 of the lid 8B. In one embodiment, a package of a product, such as noodles, is stored the lid compartment 16.

[0135] The term a or an entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms a (or an), one or more and at least one can be used interchangeably herein.

[0136] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, ratios, ranges, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about or approximately. Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, ratios, ranges, and so forth used in the specification and claims may be increased or decreased by approximately 5% to achieve satisfactory results.

[0137] The use of including, comprising, or having and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms including, comprising, or having and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein.

[0138] While various embodiments of the disclosed device have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, as set forth in the following claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of including, comprising, or adding and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.

[0139] The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing description for example, various features of the disclosure have been identified. It should be appreciated that these features may be combined together into a single embodiment or in various other combinations as appropriate. The dimensions of the component pieces may also vary, yet still be within the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, though the description has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g. as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

[0140] The present disclosure, in various embodiments, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, subcombinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the devices of the disclosure after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various embodiments, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment.