The present invention relates to a container generally, and more particularly to a container that can be combined with another container so that, for example, a plurality of containers can be handled with one hand.

It is sometimes challenging to eat away from the table. At the boardwalk, for example, people typically eat while they walk, holding their food in one hand and eating with the other hand. In one example, a person eating French fries in a cup will hold the cup in one hand and eat with the other.

[0004] French fries vended on the boardwalk (so-called "boardwalk fries'') arc usually placed into a food container that resembles an ovcrsi/ed cup. Along with the fries or other food product, the purchaser usually elects to have some type of condiment as well, such as ketchup, mustard, relish, etc. The condiment is usually placed into a smaller container and is accessed for dipping the food product. At this point the purchaser has to carry two containers, the food container and the condiment container, which means that the purchaser has no free hand with which to eat. A container to which can be removably attached to another container so that both containers can be carried by one hand. More specifically, in one embodiment, a first container has a patterned perforation to allow two Slaps and an opening to be created in the side wall of the first container. A second container is attached to the first container by inserting the second container into a flap and the opening of the first container, which secures the second container to the first container. In other embodiments, a plurality of containers may be removably attached to the first container, which plurality of containers may be vertically and/or circumferentially spaced from each other. Various embodiments of opening and flap configurations arc also discussed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure IA is a front view of one embodiment of a container of the present invention.

[0007] Figure IB is a front view of the container of Figure IA with a flap extending away from a side wall thereof.

[0008] Figure 2 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a container of the invention.

[0009] Figures 3 A through 3E illustrate one embodiment of a method of attaching a second container to a first container.

[0010] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a container of the invention.

[0011] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a container of the invention.

[0012] Figures 6 A through 49B illustrate various alternative embodiments of a container of the invention.

[0013] Figure 50 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a combination of containers.

_ o _ Figure 51 is an assembled view of the containers of Figure 50. Figure 52 is a cross-section taken through line 52-52 of Figure 50. Figures 53-58 are alternative cross-sectional embodiments. Figure 59 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a container of the invention.

Figure 60 is a front view thereof.

Figure 61 is a side view thereof.

0] Figure 62 is a rear view thereof.

Figure 63 is a top view thereof.

Figure 64 is a bottom view thereof.

Figure 65 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a combination of containers.

Figure 66 is an assembled view of the containers of Figure 65. Figure 67 is a cross-section taken through line 67-67 of Figure 65. Figure 68 is an alternative embodiment of a combination of containers of the invention.

Figure 69 is an alternative embodiment of a combination of containers of the invention.

j This disclosure describes the best mode or modes of practicing the invention as presently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides an example of the invention presented solely for illustrative purposes by reference to the accompanying drawings to advise one of ordinary skill in the art of the advantages and construction of the invention, (n the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.

|0029] Figures IA and I B illustrate one embodiment of a container 100 comprising a side wall 110, an interior 120 and a base 130, the side wall having a top edge 112 and a bottom edge 114. While Figures IA and IB illustrate a container in the form of a drinking cup, it will be appreciated that other containers having different shapes, geometries and other structural configurations will be contemplated. For ease of explanation, however, each container embodiment described herein will be illustrated as a cup-type container having and open top and a solid base. The side wall 1 10 is at least partially separable, and preferably by a perforation 140, to form at least a first flap 150 movable relative to the side wall 1 10 by a hinge 160. The first flap 150 is moveable from a first position 152 flush with the side wall 110 (Figure IA), to a second position 154 extending away from the side wall 1 10 (one embodiment shown Figure IB), along hinge 160 that is spaced from the bottom edge 114, which hinge 160 is cither manufactured into the side wall 1 10 as a bend or crease line, or which is preferably created upon the initial bending of the first flap 150 from the first position 152 to the second position 154. The first flap 150 is either movable outwardly and away from the side wall 110 of the container 100 as shown in Figure IB, or inwardly toward the interior 120 of the container (not shown). However, as will be described below, it is preferred that the first flap 150 is moved outwardly away from the side wall 1 10, not only to function as an additional support for an additional container (see Figures 3A through 3E) inserted through the opening 180, but also because it may be difficult to extend the first flap 150 into the interior 120 of the container 100 if the interior 120 if filled with food (not shown) or the like.

[0030] A second flap 170, which is more easily seen when the first flap 150 is extended away from the side wall 1 10 (Figure IB), extends in the direction of the base 130 and preferably comprises a first side edge 172, a second side edge 174, a lowermost point 176 that collectively define around a central portion 178. As will be described in more detail below, a pushing force applied to the central portion 178, while the first flap 150 is in the first position 152, separates the perforation 140 and allows a user to substantially separate the first flap 150 from the side wall 110 and move the first flap 150 from the first position 152 to the second position 154 along the hinge 160. A first opening 180 is defined in the side wall 110 when the first flap 150 is in the second position 154, the first opening 180 having a first portion 182 extending upwardly from the hinge 160 along the first side edge 172 to a first terminus 184 above the lowermost point 176 of die second flap 170, a second portion 186 extending upwardly along the second side edge 174 to a second terminus 188 above the lowermost point 176 of the second flap 170, and a lower edge bounded by the side wall 110 defining the hinge 160.

[0031 ] In the embodiment of Figures 1 A and 1 B, the hinge 160 is adjacent to and substantially coplanar with base 130. The base 130 provides additional structural support for the container 100 and sidewal! 1 10 to bear a load that will be inserted into the first opening 180 as will be illustrated below. In addition, the first flap 150 is substantially V- shaped, such that the first and second portions 182, 186 of the opening 180 extend outwardly at an angle from the vertical. However, it will be appreciated that other flap configurations are possible including, but not limited to, a U-shaped flap 250 shown on a container 200 of Figure 2. In Figure 2, the container 200 has a side wall 210, an interior 220 and a base 230, the side wall having a top edge 212 and a bottom edge 214. A first opening 280 is defined in a side wall 210 when the first flap 250 is in a second position 254, the first opening 280 having first and second portions 282, 286 that extend upwardly from a hinge 260 in a substantially parallel alignment, (n the embodiment of Figure 2, the hinge 260 is defined along the bottom edge 214 of the side wall 210 and of the container 200 instead of being spaced therefrom as shown in connection with Figures IA and IB.

[0032] Figures 3A-3E illustrate a method for removably combining a second container 300 with a first container 100 as illustrated in Figures IA and IB. Figure 3A illustrates the first container 100 with the first flap 150 in the first position 152 flush against the side wall 1 10, and a second container 300. A pushing force applied to the central portion 178 of the second flap 170 separates the perforation 140 and allows a user to substantially separate the first flap 150 from the side wall 1 10 and move the first flap 150 from the first position 152 to the second position 154 away from the side wall 110 along the hinge 160 as shown in Figure 3B. Figure 3C shows the initial attachment of the second container 300 to the first container 100, wherein the second container 300 is inserted into the opening 180 of the side wall 1 10 by placing the second container 300 at an angle to the first container 100 so that the upper edge 312 of the second container 300 first extends below and then behind the second flap 170, while the bottom edge 314 of the second container 300 contacts the first flap 150 of the first container 100, Thereafter, the second container 300 is rotated toward the first container 100 while the bottom edge 314 of the second container 300 is advanced toward the first container 100 along the first flap 150 until the second container 300 is secured within the opening 180 of the first container 100 with the second flap 170 extending into the second container 300 as shown in Figures 3D and 3E, Figure 3D also illustrates the placement of a vendor logo 105 or the like on the side wall 1 10 of the first container 100, it being understood that other placement locations are contemplated, f 0033] The second container 300 is retained within the first container 100 through the engagement of the side wall 310 of the second container 300 with the first and second portions 182, 186 (Figure I B) of the opening 180, as well as the engagement of the bottom surface 316 (Figure 3E) of the second container 300 with the hinge 160 of the first container 100 and the outwardly extending first flap 150. The second container 300 extends into the interior 120 of the first container 100 and is further supported by the base 130 of the first container 100, which base 130 is coplanar with the hinge 160 arid the first flap 150 as shown so as to create a support platform for the bottom surface 316 of the second container 300, The second flap 170 assists in preventing the second container 300 from being laterally withdrawn through the opening 180 as the second flap 170 extends into the interior of the second container 300 and acts as a stop against the side wall 310 of the second container 300. Figure 3E illustrates one embodiment of the base 130 spaced from the bottom edge 114 of the container by a distance 113, which distance 113 is typically provided to create a thermal barrier between the base 130 and the bottom edge 114 and surface (not shown) upon which the bottom edge 114 rests. While the Illustrated embodiments show a first container 100 comprising a perforation 140 having a certain shape and configuration, and an opening 180 having a certain shape and configuration that is adapted to receive and retain a second container 300 of a particular shape and configuration, it will be appreciated thai other perforation and opening configurations are contemplated, For example, if it is desired to attach a second container having a substantially planar configuration, such as a plate for example, then a perforation could be designed to expose a narrower opening that might better accommodate the insertion and retention of a planar object. Various perforation, flap and opening combinations are contemplated.

[0035] Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a first container 400 having a side wall 410, an upper edge 412, a lower edge 414, an interior 420, a base 430, a first flap 450 and hinge 460, a second flap 470, and a second container 490 disposed within an opening 480 in the first container 400. Since the second container 490 is spaced from the lower edge 414 and the base 430, the second container 490 is retained against the hinge 460 and the second flap 470 and is further supported by the first flap 450. The hinge 460, which is simply a bend in the side wall 410 of the first container 400, supports a considerable portion of the weight load of the second container 490, while the second flap 470 prevents unwanted rotational movement of the second container 490 relative to the first container 400. While the first flap 450 is shown extended outwardly relative to the side wall 410, and since the hinge 460 supports a considerable portion of the weight of the second container 490, the first flap 450 could be extended into the interior 420 of the first container to expose the opening 480 without meaningfully sacrificing the support of the second container 490. In the embodiment of Figure 4, the second container 490 is closer to the upper edge 412 of the first container 400, which shortens the dipping distance of a food product (not shown) stored in the Interior 420 of the first container 400.

10036] In an alternative embodiment of Figure 5, a first container 500 has a side wall 510, an interior 520, a base 530, a first opening 580 to accommodate a second container 590 and a second opening 582 vertically and angularly spaced from the first opening 580 to accommodate a third container 592. The second container 590 is partially supported by the base 530, while the third container 592 is supported by the hinge 594 and downwardly extending Slap 596, While Figure 5 illustrates that the second opening 582 is vertically spaced from first opening 580, it will he appreciated that other openings may have different structural configurations and locations in the side wall 510. For example, the second opening may be spaced from the first opening along a perimeter of the side wall 510 and the second opening may be larger or smaller than the first opening as the case may be.

[0037] Figures 6A through 6F illustrate various embodiments of combinations of containers, It will be appreciated, for example, that while such figures illustrate the attachment of multiple subsidiary containers to a first or main container, the first container may be perforated with a variety of flap configurations and positions not shown herein to address a variety of container structures and configurations as the case may be. The various configurations illustrated are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting in any respect, but are intended merely to show examples of various container schemes. In addition, the subsidiary containers are attached to the first or main container using the method described above, so such method will not be described below.

[0038] Figure 6A illustrates one embodiment of a first container 600a having two additional containers 602a and 604a attached thereto and positioned approximately 90 degrees apart, it being understood that any angular separation is possible. While Figure 6A illustrates a 90 degree separation of containers 602a and 604a, it will be appreciated that container 604a may be positioned up to 180 degrees in either direction from container 602a. Figure 6B illustrates one embodiment of a first container 600b having three additional containers 602b, 604b and 604b positioned approximately 90 degrees apart. Of course, the additional containers 602b, 604b, 606b, could also be positioned symmetrically (i.e. 120 degrees apart) if desired. Figure 6C illustrates one embodiment of a first container 600c having four additional containers 602c, 604c, 606c and 608c positioned approximately 90 degrees apart. Figure 6D illustrates one embodiment of a first container 60Od having two additional containers 602d, 604d of different sizes, while Figure 6E illustrates one embodiment of a first container 600ε having three additional containers 602e. 604e, 6Q6e, each having a different size. Figure 6F illustrates one embodiment of a first container 60Of having two additional containers 602f, 604f attached thereto arid vertically aligned with and spaced from each other,

[0039] Figures 7 through 49B illustrate alternate embodiments of aspects of the present invention, Certain figures show a single embodiment without any moving parts (see Figure 7 for example). Other figures show flaps that are movable between a first position shown in the "A ^" ' figures (i.e. Figure 9 A, Figure 12A, etc.) to a second position shown in the "'B'' figures (i.e. Figure 9B, Figure 12B, etc.), with the flaps being movable along hinges shown by dotted lines. The hinges are either pre-formed from perforations, bend lines, crease lines or are otherwise contemporaneously created upon movement of the respective flaps. The flaps are movable to expose openings in the container shown by cross-hatching, with the insides of the flaps shown for purposes of illustration using stippling. As discussed above, certain downwardly extending flaps are provided to support either the interior or exterior of another container inserted within an opening in the sidewall or exposed by other hinged flaps. For purposes of convenience, not all aspects of each figure will be numbered even though the totality of each figure constitutes {he disclosure provided herein,

[0040] Figure 7 illustrates one embodiment of a container 700 having a side wall 710 with a first opening 720 that is substantially rectangular shaped with parallel walls. The embodiment of Figure 7 does not include a flap as illustrated in some embodiments described herein, but simply provides an opening for insertion of another container or the like. Figure 1 1 illustrates one embodiment of a container 1 100 that is similar to the container 700 of Figure 7, but with a trapezoidal opening 1120 in side wall 1110, Figure 8 illustrates one embodiment of a container 800 having a side wail 810 with a first opening 820 that is "IJ -shaped"' and a downwardly extending elongated flap 830.

[0042] Figure 9 A illustrates one embodiment of a container 900 having a side wall 910 with a substantially rectangular, upwardly extending first flap 940, a hinge 960, and a downwardly extending second flap 930, wherein the first Slap 940 is movable between a first position flush with the side wall 910, to a second position extended away from the side wall 910 as shown for example in Figure 9B. The second flap 930 may function to retain an additional container (not shown) inserted into the opening 950.

[0043] Figure 10 illustrates one embodiment of a container 1000 having a v- shaped flap 1030 and an opening 1050. Figure 12 A illustrates one embodiment of a similar container 1200 having a first flap 1230, a hinge 1260 and a second flap 1240 that is movable from a first position substantially flush with the side wall 1210 as shown in Figure 12A, to a second position extending away from the side wall 1210 as shown in Figure 12B.

[0044] Figure 13A illustrates one embodiment of a container 1300 having a first hinge 1310 associated with a first flap 1315, a second hinge 1320 associated with a second flap 1325, and a substantially triangular third flap 1330. The hinges 1310 and 1320 are substantially parallel to each other and the flaps 1315, 1325 are movable from a first position as shown in Figure 13A to a second position as shown in Figure 13B for example. Figures 14A and 14B illustrates one embodiment of a container 1400 similar to the container 1300, but with one additional flap 1440 in addition to flaps 1415, 1425 and 1430 that expose an opening 1450.

[0045] Figures 15A and 15B show one embodiment of a container 1500 having a hinge 1540 and a substantially rectangular flap 1520 that is movable from a first position flush with the side wall 1510 as shown in Figure 15A to a second position extending away from the side wall 1510 as shown in Figure 15B. Figures 16A and 16B show one embodiment of a container 1600 similar to the container 1500, but with the hinge on the opposite side of the flap. Figures 17A and 17B, and Figures 18A and 18B show embodiments of containers 1700 and 1800 respectively that are similar to the container 1500, with the difference being that the openings exposed in the side wall in the latter configurations form a trapezoid instead of a rectangle. f 0046] Figures 19A and 19B through Figures 3OA through 30B illustrates various container embodiments 1900 through 3000 respectively having one or more flaps movable on hinges positioned along various locations on the side walls of such containers to expose openings of various configurations, In such embodiments, at least one of the flaps and/or openings are generally pointed or triangular in configuration, with the flaps being movable to expose openings generally defined by four (sec Figures 27B and 28B for example) or five sides (see Figures 21 B and 22B for example). Other flap arid/or opening configurations are contemplated,

[0047] More specifically, the container embodiments 1900 arid 2000 of Figures 19A. 19B, 2OA, and 2OB are similar to the container embodiments 1700 and 1800 of Figures 17A, 17B, 18 A, and 18B, respectively, with the embodiments 1900 and 2000 of Figures 19A, 19B, 2OA, and 2OB illustrating an additional movable triangular flap extending away from the side wall along a hinge that is spaced from the bottom edge of the container. The container embodiments 2100 and 2200 of Figures 21 A, 21 B, 22A, and 22B are similar to the container embodiments 1900 and 2000 of Figures 19A, 19B, 2OA. and 2OB, respectively, with the container embodiments 2100 and 2200 of Figures 21 A, 2 IB, 22A, and 22B illustrating an additional triangular-shaped flap, formed along the uppermost portion of the opening. The container embodiments 2300 arid 2400 of Figures 23A. 23B, 24A, and 24B are similar to the container embodiments 2100 and 2200 of Figures 21A, 21B, 22A, and 22B, respectively, with the container embodiments 2300 and 2400 of Figures 23A, 23B, 24A, and 24B illustrating the exclusion of the additional movable triangular flap that is spaced from the bottom edge of the container, The container embodiments 2500 and 2600 of Figures 25A, 25B, 26A, and 26B are similar to the container embodiments 2300 and 2400 of Figures 23 A, 23B, 24A, and 24B, respectively, with the container embodiments 2500 and 2600 of Figures 25A. 25B, 26A, and 26B illustrating an edge that is opposite to and substantially parallel to the hinge. The container embodiments 2 ^" 00 and 2800 of Figures 27A, 27B, 28A, and 28B are similar to the container embodiments 1900 and 2000 of Figures 19A, 19B, 2OA, and 2OB, respectively, with the container embodiments 2700 and 2800 of Figures 27A. 2 ^" B, 2SA, and 28 B illustrating an edge that is opposite to and substantially parallel io the hinge. The container embodiments 2900 and 3000 of Figures 29A, 29B, 30A, and 30B are similar to the container embodiments 2100 and 2200 of Figures 21A, 21B, 22A, and 22B, respectively, with the container embodiments 2900 and 3000 of Figures 29A, 29B, 30A, and 30B illustrating an edge that is opposite to and substantially parallel to the hinge.

[0048] The container embodiments of Figures 32A and 32B through Figures 36A through 36B illustrates various container embodiments 3200 through 3600 respectively having one or more flaps movable on lunges positioned along various locations on the side walls of such containers to expose openings of various configurations, Sn such embodiments, at least one of the flaps and/or openings are generally rounded in configuration, with the flaps being movable to expose openings generally defined by four sides having planar edges (see Figure 34B for example) or having a combination of planar and rounded edges (see Figures 32B and 33 B for example). Other flap and/or opening coniϊgurations arc contemplated.

[0049] More specifically, the container embodiment 3200 of Figures 32A and 32B is similar to the container embodiment 3100 of Figure 31, with the embodiment 3200 of Figures 32 A and 32B illustrating a hinge that is spaced from the bottom edge of the container and a substantially semi-circular flap attached to the hinge. The container embodiment 3300 of Figures 33A and 33B is similar to the container embodiment 3100 of Figure 31, with the container embodiment 3300 of Figures 33A and 33B illustrating a hinge that is spaced from the bottom edge of the container and a flap attached to the hinge, the flap formed by the opening of the container. The container embodiment 3400 of Figures 34A and 34B illustrate a container 3400 having two hinges that are

1 ? substantially parallel to each other, both hinges arc perpendicular to the base of the container, two moveable flaps, each flap attached to a hinge and each flap substantially semi-circular shaped, and a substantially rectangular-shaped opening, The container embodiment 3500 of Figures 35Aand 35B is similar to the container embodiment 3200 of Figures 32A and 32B, respectively, with the embodiment 3500 of Figures 35A and 35B illustrating left and right edges of the opening that are riot parallel to each other. The container embodiment 3600 of Figures 36A and 36B is similar to the embodiment 3300 of Figures 33 A and 33B, respectively, with the embodiment 3600 of Figures 36A and 36B illustrating left and right edges of the opening are not parallel to each other.

[0050] The container embodiments 3700 through 4100 of Figures 37A and 37B through 41 are similar to the container embodiment 900 of Figures 9A arid 9B, with the container embodiment 3700 of Figures 37A and 37B illustrating a longer hinge and a longer and narrower moveable (lap, the container embodiment 3800 of Figures 38A and 38B further illustrating two flaps, substantially parallel to each other, both flaps extending in the direction of the base, and the container embodiment 3900 of Figures 39A and 39B further illustrating left and right edges of the opening are not parallel to each other. The container embodiments 4000 and 4100 of Figures 40 and 41 arc similar to the container embodiment 3900 of Figures 39 A and 39B, respectively, with the container embodiment 4000 and 4100 of Figures 40 and 41 illustrating the absence of a hinge and a movable flap that is spaced from the bottom edge of the container,

[0051 ] The container embodiments 4200 through 4900 of Figures 42A and 42B through Figures 49A and 49B illustrate various flap, hinge arid opening configurations of various sizes, shapes and orientations, some flaps being planar, rounded or combinations of planar and rounded. Other shapes and configurations other than that shown in the drawings herein are contemplated, it being understood that the various alternative embodiments described herein are by no means meant to be interpreted in a limiting sense. Figures 50-52 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a combination of first and second containers 5000 and 5100, where the second container 5100 is provided with a slot 5110 having a curvature for placement on the side wall 5010 of the first container 5000 as shown in Figure 51 . The slot 51 10 divides the second container 5100 into two chambers 5120 and 5130, Figure 52 shows a cross-section of the container 5100 taken along line 52-52 of Figure 50, showing, for example, chamber 5120 containing one type of condiment, perhaps ketchup or mustard, and chamber 5130 containing a second type of condiment, perhaps salt or pepper. The chambers 5120 and 5130 in Figure 52 are shown to be roughly similar in size where, for example, the floors of each container are coplanar. Of course, other configuration are contemplated, such as shown in the alternative embodiments of Figures 53 and 54, where the two chambers are not the same size, or as shown in the alternative embodiment of Figures 55-58, where the two chambers have different depths, Figures 59-64 show a perspective, front, side, rear, top, and bottom views respectively of the container 5100 of Figures 50-52.

[0053] Figures 65-67 illustrate yet another alternative embodiment of a combination of first and second containers 6500 and 6600, where the second container 6600 is provided with a slot 6610 for placement on the side wall 6510 of the first container 6500 as shown in Figure 66. Figure 67 shows a cross-section of the container 6600 taken along line 67-67 of Figure 65, showing, for example, chamber 6620 containing a condiment of some kind, and a side wall 6630 used for supporting the second container 6600 on the first container 6500. In the embodiment of Figure 66, the side wall 6630 is on the outside of die first container 6500 arid the chamber 6620 is on the inside of the first container 6500, while in the alternative embodiment of Figure 68, the side wall 6830 of the second container 6800 is on the inside of the first container 6700 and the chamber 6820 of the second container 6800 is on the outside of the first container 6700.

|0054] Figure 69 illustrates yet another embodiment of a combination of first and second containers 6900 and 7000, where the second container 7000 is provided with a chamber 7020 and an elongated anchor wall 7010 that supports the second container 7000 on the first container 6900. The floor 7030 of the second container 7000 is substantially co-planar with the floor 6930 of the first container 6900. This effectively lowers the center of gravity of the combination of containers 6900 and 7000, making the combination of containers less top-heavy and therefore less likely to topple over.

[0055] While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.

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