A combination of a container and a plurality of food items nested within the container may include base and a first cavity in the base. A first food item may be nested in the first cavity. The first food item may include a decorated section. The first food item may include a disposable wrapper havin
A combination of a container and a plurality of food items nested within the container may include base and a first cavity in the base. A first food item may be nested in the first cavity. The first food item may include a decorated section. The first food item may include a disposable wrapper having an exposed upper wrapper edge. The container may include a lid moveable between a closed position and an open position. A first retainer may be on the lid. When the lid is in the closed position the first retainer may overlie a first portion of the upper wrapper edge. When the container is inverted with the lid in the closed position relative axial movement between the first food item and the first cavity may be limited by contact between the first retainer and the upper wrapper edge.
대표청구항▼
1. In combination, a container and a plurality of food items nested within the container, the combination comprising: a) a base having a base peripheral edge;b) at least a first cavity and a second cavity in the base to receive respective ones of the food items, the first cavity comprising a first i
1. In combination, a container and a plurality of food items nested within the container, the combination comprising: a) a base having a base peripheral edge;b) at least a first cavity and a second cavity in the base to receive respective ones of the food items, the first cavity comprising a first inner surface extending along a first cavity axis generally terminating in a first cavity rim and the second cavity comprising a second inner surface extending along a second cavity axis and generally terminating in a second cavity rim;c) a first food item nested in the first cavity, the first food item comprising a first outer surface supported by the first inner surface of the first cavity and a first upper surface, the first upper surface having a first decorated section at least partially bounded by a first food item undecorated peripheral section;d) a second food item nested in the second cavity, the second food item having a second outer surface supported by the second inner surface of the second cavity and a second upper surface, the second upper surface having a second decorated section at least partially bounded by a second food item undecorated peripheral section;e) a lid having a lid peripheral edge and a substantially planar, upper lid surface connected about a perimeter thereof to the lid peripheral edge by a generally vertical lid sidewall, the lid being movable between a closed position, in which the lid peripheral edge is engaged with the base peripheral edge and the upper lid surface covers at least a portion of the first cavity, the second cavity, and an intermediate portion of the base extending laterally between the first and second cavities, and an open position in which the lid peripheral edge and base peripheral edge are disengaged to allow access to the food items;f) at least a first retaining protrusion extending downwardly from the upper lid surface when the lid is in the closed position, the retaining protrusion having a distal end spaced apart from the upper lid surface;g) the retaining protrusion including a protrusion first retainer adjacent the distal end of the retaining protrusion, wherein when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion first retainer is proximate the upper surface of the first food item and overlies a first portion of the first food item undecorated peripheral section to inhibit relative axial movement between the first food item and the first cavity to retain the first food item within the first cavity without damaging the first decorated section when the container is inverted; andh) the retaining protrusion including a protrusion second retainer adjacent the distal end of the retaining protrusion, wherein when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion second retainer is proximate the upper surface of the second food item and overlies a first portion of the second food item undecorated peripheral section to inhibit relative axial movement between the second food item and the second cavity to retain the second food item within the second cavity without damaging the second decorated section when the container is inverted. 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion first retainer contacts the first food item undecorated peripheral section. 3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first cavity has a first cavity sidewall and a first cavity bottom wall, the first cavity sidewall extending downwardly from the first cavity rim to the first cavity bottom wall, the first cavity rim and the first cavity sidewall coaxial about the first cavity axis, and wherein the retaining protrusion extends lengthwise along a protrusion axis, and wherein the protrusion first retainer terminates laterally at a first retainer edge, the first retainer edge disposed laterally intermediate the first cavity rim and the first cavity axis when the lid is in the closed position. 4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the protrusion first retainer comprises a first abutment surface configured to abut the first food item undecorated peripheral section when the lid is in the closed position and wherein the first cavity comprises a first cavity bottom wall and has a first cavity depth measured from a plane containing the first cavity rim to the first cavity bottom wall in the direction the first cavity axis, and when the lid is in the closed position a longitudinal distance between the first abutment surface and the plane containing the first cavity rim is less than 15% of the first cavity depth. 5. The combination of claim 3, wherein the first retainer edge has a length that is between about 5% and about 50% of the length of the first cavity rim. 6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the container is of one-piece, integrally formed unitary construction comprising the base, the lid, the retaining protrusion, the protrusion first retainer, the protrusion second retainer, and a hinge that pivotably connects the lid and the base for moving the lid between the open and closed positions. 7. The combination of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a sidewall first retainer extending laterally inward from the lid sidewall, and when the lid is in the closed position the sidewall first retainer overlies a second portion of the first food item undecorated peripheral section of the first food item to further inhibit relative axial movement between the first food item and the first cavity to retain the first food item within the first cavity without damaging the first decorated section when the container is inverted. 8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first food item comprises an edible body portion and a disposable wrapper at least partially surrounding the edible body portion and disposed between the body portion and the first inner surface, the wrapper comprising an exposed upper wrapper edge and being removable from the edible body portion prior to consumption of the first food item, the first food item undecorated peripheral section comprising the upper wrapper edge. 9. The combination of claim 1, wherein the retaining protrusion comprises a hollow interior and the lid upper surface comprises a lid aperture in communication with the hollow interior, the lid aperture and hollow interior sized to accommodate insertion of a thumb or a finger of a user grasping the container. 10. The combination of claim 1, wherein the base peripheral edge comprises a base sealing member extending completely around the base peripheral edge and having at least first, second and third base sealing surfaces, and the lid peripheral edge comprises a lid sealing member extending completely around the lid peripheral edge and having at least corresponding first, second and third lid sealing surfaces, and when the lid is in the closed position, each of the first, second, and third base sealing surfaces engages the first, second, and third lid sealing surfaces, respectively, to seal the container. 11. The combination of claim 10, wherein one of the base sealing member and the lid sealing member comprises a tongue member and the other of the base sealing member and the lid sealing member comprises a groove sized to snugly and releasably receive the tongue member when the lid is in the closed position and the tongue member comprises at least one first securing member and the groove comprises at least one complimentary second securing member, and when the lid is in the closed position the first securing member engages the second securing member to releasably secure the lid in the closed position. 12. The combination of claim 1, wherein the retaining protrusion extends along a protrusion axis and the distal end of the retaining protrusion comprises a protrusion end wall that is generally orthogonal to the protrusion axis and the protrusion end wall forms at least a portion of the protrusion first retainer and at least a portion of the protrusion second retainer. 13. The combination of claim 12, wherein the protrusion end wall is generally planar. 14. The combination of claim 12, wherein the protrusion first retainer comprises a first abutment surface configured to abut the first food item undecorated peripheral section when the lid is in the closed position, and wherein the first abutment surface is co-planar with the protrusion end wall and, wherein the protrusion second retainer comprises a second abutment surface configured to abut the second food item undecorated peripheral section when the lid is in the closed position, and wherein the second abutment surface is co-planar with the first abutment surface. 15. The combination of claim 12, wherein the retaining protrusion comprises a protrusion engagement member extending axially outwardly from the protrusion end wall and the base comprises a complimentary recess configured to receive the protrusion engagement member when the lid is in the closed position. 16. The combination of claim 1, wherein the retaining protrusion comprises an upper end that is spaced apart from the distal end and is laterally surrounded by the upper lid surface. 17. A container for holding a plurality of food items, the container comprising: a) a base having a base peripheral edge;b) a plurality of cavities in the base, each cavity having an inner surface generally terminating in a cavity rim, the plurality of cavities comprising at least a first cavity having a first cavity rim and a second cavity having a second cavity rim;c) a lid having a lid peripheral edge, a lid sidewall laterally enclosing an upper volume of the container above said plurality of cavities and extending generally upwardly from the lid peripheral edge to a sidewall upper edge spaced above the lid peripheral edge when the container is in a closed position, and an upper lid surface extending generally laterally inwardly from the sidewall upper edge, the lid being movable between the closed position, in which the lid peripheral edge engages the base peripheral edge and the lid cooperates with the base to enclose said upper volume of the container, and an open position to allow access to the plurality of cavities;d) at least one retaining protrusion defined by a protrusion sidewall extending downwardly from the upper lid surface when the lid is in the closed position, the retaining protrusion having a distal end that is spaced apart from the upper lid surface, the protrusion sidewall spaced laterally apart from the lid sidewall;e) the retaining protrusion including a protrusion first retainer adjacent the distal end of the retaining protrusion, and wherein when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion first retainer is positioned proximate the first cavity and extends laterally inwardly of the first cavity rim and overlies a portion of the first cavity to engage a first food item nested within the first cavity so that when the lid is in the closed position and the container is inverted relative movement between the first food item and the first cavity is limited by contact between the first food item and the protrusion first retainer; andf) the retaining protrusion including a protrusion second retainer adjacent the distal end of the retaining protrusion, and wherein when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion second retainer is positioned proximate the second cavity and extends laterally inwardly of the second cavity rim and overlies a portion of the second cavity to engage a second food item nested within the second cavity so that when the lid is in the closed position and the container is inverted relative movement between the second food item and the second cavity is limited by contact between the second food item and the protrusion second retainer. 18. The container of claim 17, wherein the first cavity has a first cavity sidewall and a first cavity bottom wall, the first cavity sidewall extending downwardly from the first cavity rim to the first cavity bottom wall, the first cavity rim and the first cavity sidewall coaxial about a first cavity axis, and wherein the retaining protrusion extends longitudinally along a protrusion axis, and wherein the protrusion first retainer terminates laterally at a first retainer edge, the first retainer edge disposed laterally intermediate the first cavity rim and the first cavity axis when the lid is in the closed position. 19. The container of claim 17, wherein the at least one retaining protrusion extends along a protrusion axis and the distal end of the at least one retaining protrusion comprises a generally planar protrusion end wall that is generally orthogonal to the protrusion axis and the protrusion end wall forms at least a portion of the protrusion first retainer and at least a portion of the protrusion second retainer. 20. The container of claim 19, wherein the protrusion first retainer comprises a first abutment surface configured to abut the first food item when the lid is in the closed position, and wherein the first abutment surface is co-planar with the protrusion end wall. 21. The container of claim 20, wherein the protrusion second retainer comprises a second abutment surface configured to abut the second food item when the lid is in the closed position, and wherein the second abutment surface is co-planar with the first abutment surface. 22. The container of claim 19, wherein the at least one retaining protrusion comprises a protrusion engagement member extending axially outwardly from the protrusion end wall and the base comprises a complimentary recess configured to receive the protrusion engagement member when the lid is in the closed position. 23. The container of claim 17, wherein when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion first retainer contacts the first food item when the container is upright and when the container is inverted. 24. The container of claim 17, wherein when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion first retainer is spaced apart from the first food item when the container is upright and only contacts the first food item when the container is inverted. 25. A unitary one-piece container for holding a plurality of food items, the container comprising: a) a base having a base peripheral edge;b) at least four cavities arranged in a two-by-two pattern in the base, each cavity configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of food items and having a cavity inner surface generally terminating at a cavity rim and extending along a cavity axis, the at least four cavities comprising a first cavity having a first bottom wall, a second cavity having a second bottom wall, a third cavity having a third bottom wall, and a fourth cavity having a fourth bottom wall, the first, second, third, and fourth bottom walls coplanar with each other;c) a lid having a lid peripheral edge and an upper lid surface connected together by a lid sidewall extending about a perimeter of the lid, the upper lid surface including at least first and second planar cover portions spaced laterally apart from each other and a planar lid connection portion extending between the first and second cover portions, the first and second cover portions coplanar with each other and with the lid connection portion, a portion of the lid peripheral edge connected to the base peripheral edge by a hinge so that the lid is moveable between a closed position, in which the lid peripheral edge engages the base peripheral edge to seal the container and the first and second cover portions of the upper lid surface overlie at least a portion of the first and second bottom walls, respectively, and an open position to allow access to the first, second, third and fourth cavities;d) a retaining protrusion extending longitudinally along a protrusion axis from the upper lid surface, the protrusion axis generally perpendicular to the first and second cover portions, the retaining protrusion having a distal end that is spaced apart from the upper lid surface, and when the lid is in the closed position the retaining protrusion extends from the upper lid surface proximate the base and is disposed between the first, second, third, and fourth cavities in a lateral direction;e) the retaining protrusion including a protrusion first retainer adjacent the distal end of the retaining protrusion, and when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion first retainer is disposed proximate the first cavity and extends laterally inwardly of the cavity rim of the first cavity to overlie an undecorated portion of a first food item nested within the first cavity to inhibit relative axial movement between the first food item and the first cavity;f) the retaining protrusion including a protrusion second retainer adjacent the distal end of the retaining protrusion, and when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion second retainer is disposed proximate the second cavity and extends laterally inwardly of the cavity rim of the second cavity to overlie an undecorated portion of a second food item nested within the second cavity to inhibit relative axial movement between the second food item and the second cavity;g) the retaining protrusion including a protrusion third retainer adjacent the distal end of the retaining protrusion, and when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion third retainer is disposed proximate the third cavity and extends laterally inwardly of the cavity rim of the third cavity to overlie an undecorated portion of a third food item nested within the third cavity to inhibit relative axial movement between the third food item and the third cavity; andh) the retaining protrusion including a protrusion fourth retainer adjacent the distal end of the retaining protrusion, and when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion fourth retainer is disposed proximate the fourth cavity and extends laterally inwardly of the cavity rim of the fourth cavity to overlie an undecorated portion of a fourth food item nested within the fourth cavity to inhibit relative axial movement between the fourth food item and the fourth cavity. 26. The container of claim 25, further comprising a base connection portion extending laterally between, and coplanar with, the first and second bottom walls, and wherein the cover connection portion overlies the base connection portions, so that when multiple ones of the container are stacked, the base connection portion of an upper container is supported by and bears against the cover connection portion of a lower container. 27. The container of claim 26, further comprising an upright support wall extending between a lateral edge of the base connection portion and a support surface of the base to be engaged by the retaining protrusion when the container is closed.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (13)
Entenmann Charles E. (Bayshore NY), Baking and packaging system.
Gics Paul W. (Sewickley Heights PA) Parucki Karen A. (Angola NY) White Steven J. (Turnersville NJ) Wuethrich Larry L. (Vincentown NJ), Muffin tray and process for baking muffins.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.