FIELD

[0001 ] This disclosure relates generally to containers, and in particular flexible food containers.

INTRODUCTION

[0002] The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is part of the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art.

[0003] US Patent Publication No. 2016/0376084 of Wein et al. purports to disclose a full size non-woven container for carrying prepared food. The container has a front side, a back side, and a bottom integrally connected to and between the front side and the back side and a plurality of tear away perforations, wherein a first group of perforations are configured to separate a portion of the full size non-woven container forming a reduced size container while simultaneously forming at least one napkin, a third group of perforations of the tear away portions form a bib and a second group of perforations of tear away portions form a tray. The reduced size container is also configured to continue to carry prepared food.

[0004] US Patent Publication No. 2002/0197359 of Kim purports to disclose a package for instant food and a method of manufacturing the same. The package for instant food comprises a main-package for packing instant food therein in a sealed state, and a sub-package formed integrally with the main-package, defining a separate sealed space at a side of the main-package, the sub-package for holding a wet washcloth in the sealed space. According to the method of manufacturing the package for instant food, a user is allowed to wipe his/her fingers with the wet washcloths right after eating the instant food.

SUMMARY

[0005] The following introduction is provided to introduce the reader to the more detailed discussion to follow. The introduction is not intended to limit or define any claimed or as yet unclaimed invention. One or more inventions may reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its claims and figures.

[0006] Many public venues, such as hospitals, airports, universities, shopping malls and the like provide food vending machines or stores. In many cases, the food is provided in a container, such as a bag or wrapper. A consumer can reach into the container to grab the food to eat. In some cases, it may be unhygienic for the consumer to use their hands to eat the food, particularly where the consumer has come into contact with surfaces or objects of unknown sanitary condition such as door handles. The consumer’s hands may also become dirty or greasy as a result of handling the food, resulting in the need for the consumer to wipe their hands on clothing.

[0007] In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, it may be desirable for a food container to provide finger coverings to allow a user to grasp food held within the container. This may allow a user to eat the food from the container in a sanitary manner. This may also allow users to consume food from the food container without getting their hands dirty, or needing wipes or cutlery to eat the food.

[0008] The hand covering can be integrated into the body of the container itself. This may reduce the amount of additional material required to provide the hand covering. Instead of providing additional packaging material that will be immediately discarded by a consumer, the hand covering can be integrated into the packaging material itself which may reduce material and manufacturing costs.

[0009] Additionally, food contacting surfaces of the hand covering may be contained within the container prior to opening. This may ensure that the hand covering remains sanitary prior to use.

[0010] In accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a food container comprising: a flexible first container portion having a first wall section with a first top wall end and a first bottom wall end, the first top wall end defining a first open end of the first container portion; and a flexible second container portion having a second wall section with a second top wall end, a second bottom wall end, an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, the second bottom wall end defining a second open end of the second container portion, wherein the second bottom wall end is detachably attached to the first top wall end; wherein when the second container portion is attached to the first container portion: the first wall section and the second wall section together enclose a food storage volume within which food is stored, and the inner wall surface faces the food storage volume; and the food storage volume is sealed by the first wall section and the second wall section; and when the second container portion is detached from the first container portion: the second container portion is invertible to define a hand covering usable to grasp the food stored in the food storage volume, the hand covering including at least two finger projection regions that are movable towards and away from one another to allow a user to grasp food between food contacting surfaces of the finger projection regions; the hand covering includes a hand insertion section shaped to receive at least a portion of the user’s hand and to cover the received portion of the user’s hand, the hand insertion region including inside surfaces of the finger projection regions; the inner wall surface defines at least a portion of an outer surface of the hand covering; and the outer wall surface defines at least a portion of an inner surface of the hand insertion section.

[0011 ] In some embodiments, the second container portion includes a glove mounted to the second wall section proximate the second top wall end, wherein when the second container portion is attached to the first container portion the glove is positioned within the food storage volume; and the glove includes the finger projection regions.

[0012] In some embodiments, the glove is mounted to the second wall section in a collapsed position; and the glove is adjustable from the collapsed position to an extended position in which the glove projects from the second top wall end.

[0013] In some embodiments, the glove includes a hand opening that extends around a perimeter of the hand insertion section at the second top wall end; the hand opening is accessible when the glove is in the collapsed position; and the glove is adjustable to the extended position in response to a user inserting a hand into the hand opening. [0014] In some embodiments, the outer wall surface includes two separate outer wall segments; and the outer wall segments are detachably attached to one another defining a seal along the hand opening of the glove.

[0015] In some embodiments, the outer wall segments are adhered to one another.

[0016] In some embodiments, the glove includes a hand opening; the outer wall surface includes two separate outer wall segments; and the outer wall segments are detachably attached to one another defining a seal along the hand opening of the glove.

[0017] In some embodiments, the outer wall segments are adhered to one another.

[0018] In some embodiments, the second bottom wall end has a concave shape.

[0019] In some embodiments, the glove defines at least three finger projection regions.

[0020] In some embodiments, the inner wall surface defines the finger projection regions.

[0021 ] In some embodiments, the second top wall end has a concave shape that defines two laterally opposed finger projection regions.

[0022] In some embodiments, the second bottom wall end is attached to the first top wall end along a detachment region, and the detachment region is curved.

[0023] In some embodiments, the second top wall end has a concave shape that defines two laterally opposed finger projection regions.

[0024] In some embodiments, the second top wall end has a concave shape.

[0025] In some embodiments, the second bottom wall end is attached to the first top wall end along a detachment region, and the detachment region is curved.

[0026] In some embodiments, the second bottom wall end is attached to the first top wall end along a detachment region that extends around a perimeter of the food storage volume, and the detachment region includes detachment guides that promote tearing of the second container portion from the first container portion along the detachment region.

[0027] In some embodiments, the second container portion and the first container portion are manufactured using different materials.

[0028] In some embodiments, the second container portion and the first container portion may be manufactured using more than two materials. In some embodiments, the hand covering is manufactured using two different materials, with a first material user for the finger projections and a second material used for the central hand covering.

[0029] In some embodiments, the first wall section has a first inner surface having a first coefficient of friction; the inner wall surface has a second coefficient of friction; the second coefficient of friction is greater than the first coefficient of friction.

[0030] In accordance with this broad aspect of this disclosure, there is also provided a method of handling food using a flexible food container, the flexible food container having a first container portion with a first wall section attached to a second container portion with a second wall section, wherein the second container portion has an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, when the second container portion is attached to the first container portion the first wall section and the second wall section together enclose a food storage volume within which food is stored and the inner wall surface of the second container portion faces the food storage volume, the method comprising: separating the second container portion from the first container portion; inverting the second container portion to define a hand covering that includes at least two finger projection regions, wherein the inner wall surface defines an outer surface of the hand covering; inserting at least two fingers into the at least two finger projection regions of the hand covering; and grasping the food from the first container portion between the finger projection regions.

[0031 ] In some embodiments, inserting at least two fingers into the hand covering includes inserting the at least two fingers into a glove attached to the second container portion, the glove defining the at least two finger projection regions. [0032] In some embodiments, the glove is secured to the second container portion in a collapsed position, and the method includes: extending the glove from the collapsed position to an extended position in which the glove projects from the second container portion.

[0033] In some embodiments, the outer wall surface includes two separate outer wall segments detachably attached to one another defining a seal along a hand opening of the hand covering, and the method further includes separating the outer wall segments prior to inserting the at least two fingers into the hand covering.

[0034] In some embodiments, the food remains in the first container portion when the second container portion is separated from the first container portion.

[0035] In accordance with a broad aspect, there is provided a food container comprising: a flexible first container portion having a first wall section with a first upper wall end and a first lower wall end, the first upper wall end defining a first open end of the first container portion; and a flexible second container portion having a second wall section with a second upper wall end, a second lower wall end, an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, the second lower wall end defining a second open end of the second container portion, wherein the second lower wall end is detachably attached to the first top wall end; wherein when the second container portion is attached to the first container portion: the first wall section and the second wall section together enclose a food storage volume within which food is stored, and the inner wall surface faces the food storage volume; and the food storage volume is sealed by the first wall section and the second wall section; and when the second container portion is detached from the first container portion: the second container portion defines a hand covering usable to grasp the food stored in the food storage volume, the hand covering including at least two finger projection regions that are movable towards and away from one another to allow a user to grasp food between food contacting surfaces of the finger projection regions; the hand covering includes a hand insertion section shaped to receive at least a portion of the user’s hand and to cover the received portion of the user’s hand, the hand insertion region including inside surfaces of the finger projection regions; the inner wall surface defines at least a portion of an outer surface of the hand covering; the outer wall surface defines at least a portion of an inner surface of the hand insertion section; and when the second container portion is attached to the first container portion, the finger projection regions project outwardly from the container away from the first container portion.

[0036] In some embodiments, the finger projections regions are integrated into the second wall section.

[0037] In some embodiments, the second lower wall end is attached to the first upper wall end along a detachment region, and the detachment region is curved.

[0038] In some embodiments, the detachment region defines a corner of the container.

[0039] In some embodiments, the second upper wall end is curved.

[0040] It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that an apparatus or method disclosed herein may embody any one or more of the features contained herein and that the features may be used in any particular combination or sub combination.

[0041 ] These and other aspects and features of various embodiments will be described in greater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] For a better understanding of the described embodiments and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0043] Figure 1A is a front view of an example food container having a first container portion and a second container portion in accordance with an embodiment;

[0044] Figure 1 B is a front plan view of the example food container of Figure 1 A;

[0045] Figure 1 C is a perspective view from the front and one side of the example food container of Figure 1A;

[0046] Figure 1 D is a cut-away side view of the example food container of Figure 1A; [0047] Figure 1 E is a front perspective view of the example food container of Figure 1 A with the second container portion removed from the first container portion in accordance with an embodiment;

[0048] Figure 1 F is a front view of the second container portion in a hand covering configuration with a glove section in an extended position in accordance with an embodiment;

[0049] Figure 1 G is a front plan view of the second container portion with the glove section in a recessed position in accordance with an embodiment;

[0050] Figure 1 H is a top view of the second container portion with a hand covering opening in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment;

[0051 ] Figure 11 is a front view of the second container portion in the hand covering configuration with an alternative glove section in the extended position in accordance with an embodiment;

[0052] Figure 2A is a front plan view of another example food container having a first container portion and a second container portion in accordance with an embodiment;

[0053] Figure 2B is a front view of the example food container of Figure 2A;

[0054] Figure 2C is a front plan view of the second container portion removed from the first container portion of the example food container of Figure 2A in accordance with an embodiment;

[0055] Figure 2D is a front view of the second container portion of Figure 2C in a hand covering configuration with a glove section in an extended position in accordance with an embodiment;

[0056] Figure 3A is a front plan view of another example food container having a first container portion and a second container portion in accordance with an embodiment;

[0057] Figure 3B is a front view of the second container portion of Figure 3A in a hand covering configuration in accordance with an embodiment; [0058] Figure 3C is a front plan view of another example food container having a first container portion and a second container portion in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0059] Figure 4 is a front plan view of another example food container having a first container portion and a second container portion in accordance with an embodiment.

[0060] The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0061 ] Various apparatuses, methods and compositions are described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses, methods and compositions having all of the features of any one apparatus, method or composition described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses, methods or compositions described below. It is possible that an apparatus, method or composition described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus, method or composition described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

[0062] The terms "an embodiment," "embodiment," "embodiments," "the embodiment," "the embodiments," "one or more embodiments," "some embodiments," and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s)," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0063] The terms "including," "comprising" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a," "an" and "the" mean "one or more," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0064] As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, or“fastened” where the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts), so long as a link occurs. As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be“directly coupled”,“directly connected”,“directly attached”, or“directly fastened” where the parts are connected in physical contact with each other. None of the terms“coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, and “fastened” distinguish the manner in which two or more parts are joined together.

[0065] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodiments described herein.

[0066] Referring to Figures 1A to 1 H, an exemplary embodiment of a food container is shown generally as 100. The food container 100 is an example of a flexible container that can be used to contain food products, such as chips or other snacks.

[0067] The food container 100 defines external walls 101 or packaging that enclose food products. The external walls 101 can be separated, or ripped, or torn, to provide access to the food products within container 100 (i.e. the packaging can be opened to access the food products).

[0068] The food container 100 has a first or upper end 102, a second or lower end 104, and opposed lateral sides 106 and 108. As shown, food container 100 has a front side 105 and a back side 103. Although the container 100 is shown having two lateral sides, it will be understood that the container 100 may not have defined lateral edges. For example, the walls 101 of the container 100 may extend generally continuously around the circumference of container 100.

[0069] The container 100 has a first container portion 110 and a second container portion 120. The first container portion 1 10 defines a first wall section 1 1 1 of the external walls 101 . The second container portion 120 defines a second wall section 121 of the external walls 101 . Together, the first wall section 11 1 and the second wall section 121 enclose a food storage volume 130 of the container 100.

[0070] Food products such as chips 132 can be held and stored within the food storage volume 130 (see e.g. FIG. 1 D). When attached to one another, the first container portion 1 10 and second container portion 120 define an integrated, and enclosed, container for the food products 132. The food storage volume 130 can be sealed within the walls 101 of container 100 by the first wall section 1 1 1 and the second wall section 121.

[0071 ] In the example shown, the first container portion 1 10 defines a lower or bottom portion of the container 100. The first container portion 1 10 may define a majority, or greater than 50% of the container 100. In general, the first container portion 1 10 may be sufficiently large so as to container the food products 132 within the first wall section 1 1 1 alone when the second container portion 120 is separated from the first container portion 1 10.

[0072] The first wall section 11 1 generally extends from a first top wall end 1 12 to a first bottom wall end 1 14. As shown, the first bottom wall end 1 14 can define the bottom end 104 of the container 100. The first bottom wall end 1 14 can be closed, thus defining a closed bottom end of the first container portion 1 10 (and of container 100).

[0073] The first top wall end 112 can be a generally open wall end. When the first container portion 1 10 is separated from the second container portion 120, the first container portion 1 10 can have an open top end. The open wall end 1 12 can thus allow access to the food storage volume 130 (see e.g. FIG. 1 E).

[0074] In some cases, the first bottom wall end 1 14 may be formed with a seam that assists in sealing the second end 104 of the container 100. Additionally or alternatively, the first wall section 1 1 1 may be manufactured as continuous wall section that is formed with a closed bottom end 1 14.

[0075] In the example shown, the second container portion 120 defines an upper or top portion of the enclosure of the container 100. The second wall section 121 generally extends from a second top wall end 122 to a second bottom wall end 124.

[0076] The second top wall end 122 defines the top end 102 of the container 100. The second top wall end 122 can be closed. The second top wall end 122 can define a closed top end of the second container portion 120 (and of container 100). The second bottom wall end 124 can be a generally open wall end. Thus, taken alone the second container portion 120 can have an open bottom end.

[0077] The wall 121 defined by the second container portion 120 includes an outer wall surface 126 and an inner wall surface 128. When the second container portion 120 is attached to the first container portion 1 10, the inner wall surface 128 faces the food storage volume 130.

[0078] In the embodiments described herein, the second container portion 120 is detachably attached to the first container portion 110. As shown in FIG. 1 E, the second container portion 120 can be detached from the first container portion 1 10 to provide access to the food products 132 contained in food storage volume 130.

[0079] A detachment region 140 can be provided at the intersection of the first container portion 1 10 and the second container portion 120. The detachment region 140 can extend around the container 100 at the intersection of the first container portion 1 10 and the second container portion 120. The second bottom wall end 124 can be detachably attached to the first top wall end 1 12 along the detachment region 140.

[0080] The detachment region 140 may include detachment guides that facilitate tearing of the container 100 along the detachment region. The detachment guides may extend partially or entirely around the container 100.

[0081 ] The detachment guides may include weakened regions of the container walls 101. The detachment guides may facilitate tearing along the detachment region 140. For instance, the detachment guides may include partially scored sections, recessed notches or grooves that encourage tearing of the second container portion 120 from the first container portion 1 10 along the detachment region 140.

[0082] The detachment region 140 of container 100 can provide a sealed attachment between the first container portion 1 10 and the second container portion 120. The detachment guides may facilitate tearing of the walls 101 without exposing any portion of the food storage volume 140. This may ensure that the food storage volume 130 does not become contaminated.

[0083] The container 100 can be manufactured to incorporate a hand covering 150 into its body. When the second container portion 120 is detached from the first container portion 1 10 (along detachment region 140), the second container portion 120 can be inverted to define the hand covering 150. The hand covering 150 can then be used to grasp food products 132 from the food storage volume 130.

[0084] The hand covering 150 can be integrated into the second container portion 120 when the container 100 is manufactured. When detached from the first container portion 1 10, the second container portion 120 can be converted from a food enclosure configuration (e.g. as shown in FIGS. 1A-1 E) to a hand covering configuration (e.g. as shown in FIGS. 1 F and 11).

[0085] When the second container portion 120 is in the hand covering configuration, a user can then insert at least a portion of their hand 180 (including at least two fingers 182/184), into the hand covering 150 as shown in FIG. 1 F. The hand covering 150 can then be used to grasp food products from the first container portion 1 10. The hand covering 150 can be manufactured using flexible materials that allow a user to manipulate the hand covering 150 to grasp and release the food products 152.

[0086] In some embodiments, the second container portion 120 and/or hand covering 150 may be manufactured using stretchable material. This may assist the hand covering 150 in clinging to a user’s hand 180 when in the hand covering configuration. This may also allow the hand covering to stretch when in use, may reduce unintentional tearing thereof. [0087] A stretchable hand covering 150 may also facilitate use by a wider range of consumers. For instance, the hand covering 150 may stretch to accommodate a range of hand sizes. The stretchable material used for hand covering 150 may also be resilient to ensure a relatively snug fit to the user’s hand, regardless of the hand size. The snug fit of hand covering 150 may also promote a comfortable grip on the food products from container portion 1 10.

[0088] In the food enclosure configuration, the second container portion 120 has an outer wall surface 126 and an inner wall surface 128. The outer wall surface 126 defines a portion of the exterior of the walls 101 when the first container portion 1 10 and second container portion 120 are attached to one another while the inner wall surface 128 defines a portion of the interior of the container 100. That is, the inner wall surface 128 faces into the food storage volume 130 when in the food enclosure configuration and the outer wall surface 126 faces outwardly from the container 100.

[0089] Prior to the second container portion 120 being separated from the first container portion 1 10, the inner wall surface 128 can be enclosed within the container 100. As a result, the inner wall surface 128 can be prevented from contacting any external contaminants (thus avoiding the transfer of potentially unsanitary material such as dirt and/or microbes) once the container 100 has been manufactured. Accordingly, the inner wall surface 128 may provide a sanitary surface for contacting the food products 132, as well as contacting a user’s mouth.

[0090] When the second container portion 120 is detached from the first container portion 1 10, the second container portion 120 can be inverted, or turned inside outer, so that the inner wall surface 128 faces outward. This inner wall surface 128 may then provide a sanitary food contacting surface (or a portion thereof) that can be used to contact the food products 132 and/or a user’s mouth.

[0091 ] In the hand covering configuration, the open second bottom wall end 124 can provide a hand insertion opening. A user can insert their hand, or at least two fingers, into the insertion opening with the outer wall surface 126 facing, and possibly contacting, the user’s hand and/or fingers.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 1 F, the hand covering 150 can include a hand insertion section 152 shaped to receive at least a portion of the user’s hand. The hand covering 150 can then cover at least a portion of the user’s hand 180. The hand insertion section 152 can include hand contacting surfaces, at least some of which can be provided by the outer wall surface 126 which has been inverted to face inwardly.

[0093] As shown, the hand covering 150 can be shaped to include at least two finger projection regions 156. The finger projections 156a and 156b can be moved towards and away from one another. A user can use the finger projections 156 to grasp food products 132 therebetween.

[0094] The finger projection regions 156 can include a primary finger projection 156a and at least one secondary finger projection 156b. The primary finger projection 156a is arranged at a position is opposed to the secondary finger projection 1566. For example, the primary finger projection 156a may provide a covering for a user’s thumb 182 while the secondary finger projection(s) 156b provides a covering for one or more of the user’s fingers 184 as shown in FIG. 1 F.

[0095] In other cases, the hand covering may include at least three finger projections 156 as shown in FIG. 1 H. Each of the finger projections 156 may be separately movable by a user. This may provide a user with increased flexibility and control in grasping the food products 132.

[0096] In the example shown, the second container portion 120 includes a glove section 154. The glove 154 can define food contacting surfaces of the hand covering 150. The glove 154 thus includes the finger projection regions of the hand covering 150. A user can slide their fingers into the inside of the glove 154, via the opening of the insertion section 152, while the outer surfaces of the glove 154 are used to contact and grasp the food products 132.

[0097] The glove section 154 can be attached to the inner wall surface 128 of the second container portion 120. When the second container portion 120 is in the hand covering configuration, the glove section 154 can project from the inner wall surface 128 at the inverted second top wall end 122.

[0098] When the second container portion 120 is attached to the first container portion 1 10, the glove 154 can be contained entirely within the interior of container 100. The food contacting surfaces of the glove 154 may thus be protected from contamination prior to use.

[0099] In some embodiments, the glove 154 can be mounted to the inner wall surface 128 in a collapsed position (see e.g. FIG. 1 G). For example, the glove 150 may be collapsed within the interior of the container 100 between the ends 122 and 124 of the second container portion 120. This may reduce contact between the glove 154 and the food products 132, which may prevent tearing of the glove 154.

[00100] For use, the glove section 154 can be extended to project from the walls 121 of the second container portion 120. For instance, when a user inserts their hand into the hand covering 150, the glove 154 can be extended to an extended position (as shown in FIG. 1 F) by the force of the user’s hand. As shown, in the extended position the glove 154 can project from the inner wall surface 128 and away from the second wall section 121 .

[00101] The glove 154 may be secured in the collapsed position when container 100 is manufactured. For instance, a weak adhesive may be provided between the inner wall surfaces 128 and the outer surfaces of the glove 154 to maintain the glove 154 in the collapsed position. This weak adhesive may be overcome when a user inserts their hand into the glove section 154.

[00102] The glove 154 can include a hand opening that extends generally around a perimeter of the hand insertion section. The hand opening may extend around the perimeter of the hand insertion section 152 at the inverted second top end 122. The hand opening may include hand contacting sections that include the outer wall surface 128. A user may insert their hand into the hand opening when the glove is in the collapsed position in order to extend the glove 154.

[00103] To allow a user to access the hand opening, the second top end 122 may include a separable seam 160 (see e.g. FIG. 1 H). The outer surface 128 of the second container portion 120 may include two outer wall segments 162 and 164. The outer wall segments 162 and 164 can be detachably attached to one another along the seam 160.

[00104] When container 100 is manufactured, the outer wall segments 162 and 164 can be adhered to one another. The seam 160 may be defined using a weak adhesive that can be separated by a user. In order to access the glove 154, a user can separate the wall segments 162 and 264 along seam 160. The seam 160, when separated, may define the hand opening that provides a user with access to the glove 154.

[00105] The seam 160 can be sealed during manufacturing using an easily openable sealant. The seam 160 may assist in maintaining the structure of the container 100. Sealing seam 160 can also protect the inside of glove 154 from contamination, as well as avoid possible tearing of glove 154.

[00106] The container 100 can be a generally flexible container for food products, such as snacks. In the example shown, container 100 illustrates a hand covering incorporated into a bag of chips, although other flexible food containers may also be used with different types of food products.

[00107] Typically, both the first container portion 1 10 and second container portion 120 are flexible. However, in some embodiments it may be sufficient that only the second container portion 120 is manufactured using flexible materials. Using flexible materials for the second container portion 120 facilitates inverting the second container portion 120 for use as a hand covering. This also provides a hand covering that is able to adapt to, and flex with, a user’s hands.

[00108] In some embodiments, the first container portion 1 10 and the second container portion 120 may be manufactured using different materials. For example, some or all of the outer surface 128 of the second container portion 120 may include materials that provide increased friction for a user’s hand. This may allow a user to more easily grasp the second container portion 120 to separate it from the first container portion 1 10. This may also assist the second container portion 120 in remaining on a user’s hand when being used as a hand covering.

[00109] In some embodiments, the hand covering may be manufactured using multiple different materials. For example, the food contacting surfaces of the finger projection regions may include materials that provide an improved grip on the food products within the first container portion 1 10. In some cases, the remainder of the hand covering may be manufactured using a stretchable material omitting the increased surface friction. [00110] In some embodiments, the inner wall surface 126 may be manufactured with a material having different coefficient of friction from the inner wall surface of the first container portion 1 10. For instance, inner wall surface 126 may be manufactured with a higher coefficient of friction. In some cases, an increased friction lining or gripping surface may be provided on the inner wall surface 126 to assist in grasping food products 132. Similarly, the finger projection regions 156 and/or the entire inner surface of glove 154 may include a frictional material and/or frictional lining to assist in gripping food products.

[0011 1] Referring now to FIG. 2A-2D, shown therein is another example of a container 200. As with container 100, the container 200 includes a first or upper end 202, a second or lower end 204, and opposed lateral sides 206 and 208. The container 200 has a container wall 201 that encloses food products within a food storage volume.

[00112] The container 200 has a first container portion 210 and a second container portion 220. The first container portion 210 defines a first wall section 21 1 of the container wall 201 . The second container portion 220 defines a second wall section 221 of the container wall 201 . Together, the first wall section 21 1 and the second wall section 221 enclose the food storage volume (not shown) of the container 200.

[00113] The first wall section 21 1 generally extends from a first top wall end 212 to a first bottom wall end 214. The first bottom wall end 214 generally defines the bottom end 204 of the container 200. The first bottom wall end 214 is closed defining a closed bottom end of the first container portion 210 (and of container 200). The first top wall end 212 is a generally open wall end. Thus, the first container portion 210 has an open top end.

[00114] In the example shown, the second container portion 220 defines an upper or top portion of the enclosure of the container 200. The second wall section 221 generally extends from a second top wall end 222 to a second bottom wall end 224. The second top wall end 222 defines the top end 202 of the container 200. As with container 100, the second bottom wall end 224 is open.

[00115] The second container portion 220 can be detachably attached to the first container portion 210. As shown, the second bottom wall end 224 can be attached to the first top wall end 212 along a detachment region 240. However, unlike container 100, the detachment region 240 of container 200 is curved.

[00116] The second bottom end wall 224 has a concave shape along the front and back sides of the container 200 (between lateral sides 206 and 208) as shown in FIG. 2C. This may provide additional coverage for the user’s hand 180 and/or fingers 182/184, particularly where the hand covering 250 primarily covers a user’s fingers 182/184.

[00117] As shown in FIG. 2D, the hand insertion portion 252 defined by the second wall section 221 extends further towards the user’s hand along the sides where the projecting corners of the concave end 224 are located. As shown, the glove 254 may correspond generally to glove 154, including a pair of finger projections 256a and 256b.

[00118] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, shown therein are alternate examples of containers 300a and 300b. The containers 300s and 300b are generally similar to containers 100 and 200, except that the second container portion 320 omits a glove section.

[00119] As with containers 100 and 200, containers 300a and 300b include a first or upper end 302, a second or lower end 304, and opposed lateral sides 306 and 308. The containers 300a and 300b has an external container wall 301 that encloses food products within a sealed food storage volume.

[00120] The containers 300a and 300b have a first container portion 310 and a second container portion 320. The first container portion 310 defines a first wall section 311 of the container wall 301 . The second container portion 320 defines a second wall section 321 of the container wall 301 . Together, the first wall section

31 1 and the second wall section 321 enclose the food storage volume (not shown) of the container 300.

[00121] The first wall section 31 1 generally extends from a first top wall end

312 to a first bottom wall end 314. The first bottom wall end 314 generally defines the bottom end 304 of the container 300. The first bottom wall end 314 is closed defining a closed bottom end of the first container portion 310 (and of container 300). The first top wall end 312 is a generally open wall end. Thus, the first container portion 310 can have an open top end.

[00122] In the example shown, the second container portion 320 defines an upper or top portion of the enclosure of the container 300. The second wall section 321 generally extends from a second top wall end 322 to a second bottom wall end 324. The second top wall end 322 defines the top end 302 of the container 300. As with container 100 and 200, the second bottom wall end 324 is also open.

[00123] The second container portion 320 is also detachably attached to the first container portion 310. As shown, the second bottom wall end 324 is attached to the first top wall end 312 along a detachment region 340. However, unlike container 100, the detachment region 230 of containers 300a and 300b is curved.

[00124] In container 300a, the second bottom wall end 324a has a shape similar to that of the container 100. That is, the second bottom wall end 324a is a substantially straight end wall. However, the second top wall end 324b is curved. In particular, the second top wall end 324b has a concave shape in which the middle is recessed as compared to the outer lateral corners.

[00125] When the second container portion 320 is separated from the first container portion 310, the second container portion 320 can again be converted to a hand covering 350. In container 300a, the shape of the second top wall end 324b allows the second wall section 321 to define the finger projections 356a-356b directly.

[00126] The inner wall surface 328 can define a food contacting section of the hand covering 350 including at least two finger projection regions 356. The top corners of second container portion 320 can each define accommodations for the user’s fingers 182/184 when the second container portion 320 is inverted. A user may then move the opposing corners of the second wall section 321 towards and away from one another to grasp food products 132.

[00127] Food container 300b is generally similar to food container 300a except that the second bottom wall end 324b is also curved. As shown in FIG. 3C, the second bottom wall end 324b has a concave shape along the detachment region 340b. This may allow the second container portion 320a to cover an extended portion of the user’s hand 180 while reducing the amount of material used for the second container portion 320a.

[00128] As with food container 300a, the second top wall end 322 in container 300b also has a concave shape. This allows the second top wall end 322 to define finger projection regions 356a/356b when the container portion 320 is inverted.

[00129] In containers 300a and 300b, the second top wall end 322 may not have separate wall segments that are adhered together. For instance, the second top wall end 322 may be continuous in containers 300a and 300b.

[00130] In some cases, the containers 300a and 300b may be further modified to include a glove similar to gloves 154 and 254. In some such embodiments, the second top wall end 322 may also be modified to include a separable seam that protects and encloses the hand insertion section of the glove.

[00131] In some embodiments, the second container portion 320a/320b may be manufactured using a stretchable material. This may assist the second container portion 320 in clinging to a user’s hand 180 when in the hand covering configuration. This may also allow the hand covering to stretch when in use, and may reduce unintentional tearing thereof.

[00132] Referring now to FIG. 4, shown therein is another example of a container 400. As with containers 100, 200, and 300 the container 400 includes a first or upper end 402, a second or lower end 404, and opposed lateral sides 406 and 408. The container 400 has a container wall 401 that encloses food products within a food storage volume.

[00133] The container 400 has a first container portion 410 and a second container portion 420. The first container portion4 defines a first wall section 41 1 of the container wall 401. The second container portion 420 defines a second wall section 421 of the container wall 401. Together, the first wall section 41 1 and the second wall section 421 enclose the food storage volume (not shown) of the container 400. The first wall section 41 1 generally includes an upper wall end 412 that is generally open. Similarly, the second wall section 421 includes a lower wall end 424 that is generally open. [00134] The container 400 is another example of a food container in which the second container portion 420 is detachably attached to the first container portion 410. A detachment region 440 is defined at the connection between the first wall section 41 1 and the second wall section 421. As described herein above, the detachment region 440 may be a weakened wall region that promotes tearing of the container wall 401 along detachment region 440.

[00135] In container 400, the second container portion 420 can be separated from the first container portion 410 to provide a hand covering. A user can manipulate the second container portion 420, after removal from the first container portion 410, to grasp food from the first container portion 410. However, unlike containers 100, 200 and 300, the second container portion 420 need not be inverted to provide the hand covering.

[00136] As shown in Figure 4, the second container portion 420 can include projecting regions 490a and 490b. The projecting regions 490 can extend outwardly away from the first container portion 410, near the edges of the second container portion. The projecting regions 490 can define finger projections 456 for the second container portion 420. A user can insert at least one finger into each finger projection 456 (after second container portion 420 is detached) and move them towards and away from one another to grasp food products therebetween.

[00137] As shown, the second container portion 420 can have a curved outer end 422. This may facilitate detaching the second container portion 420 from the first container portion 410. To separate the second container portion 420, a user may insert at least one finger into each projecting region 490. The user may then pull the projecting regions 490 towards one another to encourage tearing along the detachment region 440. The user may also pull the second container portion 420 away from the first container portion 410 to further facilitate separation of the second container portion 420. This may provide a simplified process for detaching the second container portion 420 and equipping the hand covering in a single motion.

[00138] In the example shown, the second container portion 420 may be provided on a rounder corner of the container 400. This may facilitate the removal of the second container portion 420 in a single, smooth motion. [00139] Alternatively, the second container portion 420 may be provided as the top end 402 of the container 400. For example, the detachment region 440 may be curved as with detachment region 240 (see FIG. 2A). Projecting regions 490 may then be added to the upper corners of the container 400. The operation of the second container portion 400 would proceed as described above.

[00140] As used herein, the wording“and/or” is intended to represent an inclusive - or. That is,“X and/or Y” is intended to mean X or Y or both, for example. As a further example,“X, Y, and/or Z” is intended to mean X or Y or Z or any combination thereof.

[00141] While the above description describes features of example embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. For example, the various characteristics which are described by means of the represented embodiments or examples may be selectively combined with each other. Accordingly, what has been described above is intended to be illustrative of the claimed concept and non-limiting. It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.