초록 ▼

A container is disclosed which can include a container base having a cavity therein, a thermal source disposable in the cavity of the base, an insert being insertable within the cavity of the base such that the insert is in close proximity to the thermal source, and a cover. The cover and the insert

A container is disclosed which can include a container base having a cavity therein, a thermal source disposable in the cavity of the base, an insert being insertable within the cavity of the base such that the insert is in close proximity to the thermal source, and a cover. The cover and the insert can define a sealable compartment for the storage of food items. In other embodiments, the cover can be engageable directly with the base to define a storage compartment. The thermal source can act as either or both a heater and a cooler to help maintain the food items stored in the container at a desired temperature.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A container comprising: a base, the base including a bottom, a peripheral sidewall extending from the bottom, an open top, and a first closure portion; an insert, the insert configured such that it is disposable within the base, the insert including a second closure portion,

What is claimed is: 1. A container comprising: a base, the base including a bottom, a peripheral sidewall extending from the bottom, an open top, and a first closure portion; an insert, the insert configured such that it is disposable within the base, the insert including a second closure portion, the second closure portion being mechanically and re-sealingly engageable with the first closure portion when the insert is disposed within the base; a cover, the cover including a third closure portion, the third closure portion being sealingly engageable with the second closure portion of the insert so that when the second and third closure portions are engaged with each other, the cover and the insert define a substantially sealed storage area; and a thermal source, the thermal source disposed within the base such that when the insert is disposed in the base, the insert is in close proximity to the thermal source. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third closure portions comprise locking rings. 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the base includes a partition in spaced relationship with the bottom, the partition extending to the sidewall to define an enclosed storage area, the partition and the sidewall defining an interior cavity for receiving the insert, and the thermal source disposed in the storage area. 4. The container of claim 3, wherein the insert includes a bottom and a sidewall, the bottom of the insert being adjacent the partition when the insert is disposed within the base. 5. The container of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a gripping tab. 6. The container of claim 1, wherein the thermal source provides thermal energy to act as a cooler. 7. The container of claim 1, wherein the thermal source provides thermal energy to act as a heater. 8. The container of claim 1, wherein the thermal source selectively provides thermal energy to act as either a cooler or a heater. 9. The container of claim 1, wherein the thermal source comprises a thermal media. 10. The container of claim 9, wherein the thermal media comprises a gel. 11. The container of claim 3, wherein the thermal source comprises a thermal media in the form of a gel, the storage area being substantially filled with the gel. 12. The container of claim 9, wherein the thermal media bears an indicia to indicate information about the thermal source. 13. The container of claim 12, wherein the indicia is the color blue to indicate the thermal source acts as a cooler. 14. The container of claim 12, wherein the indicia is the color red to indicate the thermal source acts as a heater. 15. The container of claim 1, wherein the thermal source comprises a packet which includes a thermal media housed in a flexible pouch. 16. The container of claim 15, wherein the packet is attached to the bottom of the base. 17. The container of claim 1, wherein the base includes a well for receiving the thermal source, the thermal source being removably disposable within the well. 18. The container of claim 17, wherein the well comprises a channel that defines a groove configured to receive the thermal source. 19. The container of claim 15, wherein the base includes a well for receiving the packet, the packet being removably disposable within the well. 20. The container of claim 19, wherein the bottom of the base defines the well. 21. The container of claim 19, wherein the sidewall of the base defines the well. 22. The container of claim 20, wherein the bottom includes a support portion defining a well opening, a recessed portion disposed in spaced relationship to the support portion and defining a well bottom, and an offset portion extending between the support portion and the recessed portion and defining a well sidewall, the well sized such that when the packet is disposed therein, a first face of the packet is positionable to overlie the well bottom and a second face of the packet is positionable to be in substantial alignment with the support portion. 23. The container of claim 22, wherein the offset portion of the well is tapered. 24. The container of claim 23, wherein the well opening is smaller than the wall bottom such that the offset portion tapers outwardly from the well opening to the well bottom. 25. The container of claim 1, wherein the thermal source comprises a plurality of packets which each includes a thermal media housed in a flexible pouch. 26. The container of claim 25, wherein one of the packets is attached to the bottom of the base. 27. The container of claim 26, wherein another of the packets is attached to the sidewall of the base. 28. The container of claim 26, wherein the remainder of the packets is attached to the sidewall of the base. 29. The container of claim 27, wherein the sidewall includes a well in the form of a channel for receiving the packet attached to the sidewall of the base, the packet being removably disposable within the channel. 30. The container of claim 1, wherein the first and third closure portions comprise locking rings, and the second closure portion comprises a seal rim. 31. The container of claim 30, wherein the first and third closure portions are engageable with each other. 32. The container of claim 1, wherein the cover has a pair of partitions in spaced relationship to each other, the partitions defining a storage area therebetween. 33. The container of claim 32, wherein the storage area contains an insulative media. 34. The container of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a well for receiving a second thermal source, the second thermal source being removably disposable within the well. 35. A container comprising: a base, the base including a bottom, a peripheral sidewall extending from the bottom, an open top, a first closure portion, and a detent groove extending around the sidewall; an insert, the insert configured such that it is disposable within the base, the insert including a bottom and a sidewall, the insert including a rib extending around the sidewall, the rib being engageable with the detent groove of the base when the insert is disposed within the base; a cover, the cover including a second closure portion, the second closure portion being engageable with the first closure portion of the base; a thermal source, the thermal source disposed within the base such that when the insert is disposed in the base, the insert is in close proximity to the thermal source; wherein the base includes a partition, the partition extending to the sidewall and cooperating with the sidewall and the bottom to define an enclosed storage area, the partition including a bottom panel, a sidewall panel, and a shoulder portion, the partition and the sidewall defining an interior cavity for receiving the insert, and the thermal source disposed in the storage area; and wherein the insert includes a step, the shoulder portion of the base in contacting relationship with the step of the insert when the insert is disposed within the base and the rib of the insert is engaged with the groove of the base. 36. A container comprising: a base, the base including a bottom, a peripheral sidewall extending from the bottom, an open top, and a first closure portion; a cover, the cover including a second closure portion, the second closure portion being sealingly engageable with the first closure portion of the base so that when the first and second closure portions are engaged with each other, the cover and the base define a substantially sealed storage area; a thermal source; and wherein the base includes a partition in spaced relationship with the bottom, the partition extending to the sidewall and defining an enclosed storage area for the thermal source, the partition and the sidewall defining an interior cavity, and the thermal source disposed in the enclosed storage area. 37. A container comprising: a base, the base including a bottom, a peripheral sidewall extending from the bottom, an open top, and a first closure portion; a cover, the cover including a second closure portion, the second closure portion being sealingly engageable with the first closure portion of the base so that when the first and second closure portions are engaged with each other, the cover and the base define a substantially sealed storage area; a thermal source, wherein the cover has a pair of partitions in spaced relationship to each other; and the partitions defining an enclosed storage area therebetween for the thermal source, the thermal source disposed in the enclosed storage area.