US20030029868A1 - Lid having integral one-piece eating utensil - Google Patents

Lid having integral one-piece eating utensil Download PDF

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Publication number
US20030029868A1
US20030029868A1 US09/924,471 US92447101A US2003029868A1 US 20030029868 A1 US20030029868 A1 US 20030029868A1 US 92447101 A US92447101 A US 92447101A US 2003029868 A1 US2003029868 A1 US 2003029868A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
lid
top cover
wall
cover wall
eating utensil
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US09/924,471
Inventor
Theodore Davidov
Kenneth Davidov
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Coda International Ltd
Original Assignee
Coda International Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
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Priority to US09/924,471 priority Critical patent/US20030029868A1/en
Assigned to CODA INTERNATIONAL, LTD. reassignment CODA INTERNATIONAL, LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DAVIDOV, KENNETH A., DAVIDOV, THEODORE
Publication of US20030029868A1 publication Critical patent/US20030029868A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/18Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
    • B65D51/185Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures the outer closure being a foil membrane
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/24Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B65D51/246Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes provided with eating utensils or spatulas
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2251/00Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0006Upper closure
    • B65D2251/0031Membrane
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2251/00Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0068Lower closure
    • B65D2251/0081Lower closure of the 43-type
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00027Stackable lids or covers
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00064Shape of the outer periphery
    • B65D2543/00074Shape of the outer periphery curved
    • B65D2543/00092Shape of the outer periphery curved circular
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00259Materials used
    • B65D2543/00296Plastic

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a lid for mounting on a food container, more particularly such a lid having a one-piece eating utensil integrally formed with, and easily removable from the lid.
  • the multiple-piece eating utensils have increased the manufacturing costs and complexity of the container lids or covers and, generally, the mechanisms by which the multiple pieces are attached together have proven to be insufficiently strong to enable the user to readily consume the food product, or have proven to be too complex for a user to readily comprehend.
  • Another known type of cover has a compartment in which a separate eating utensil is stored prior to use, or which is attached to the cover by a hinge which must be subsequently broken by the user prior to use.
  • these known types of covers have not proven to be entirely satisfactory, since the use of a separate storage compartment increases the size and bulk of the cover and, again, increases its manufacturing costs and complexity.
  • a lid is disclosed that is configured to be mounted on a food container having a rim bounding an opening of the food container.
  • the lid has a top cover wall with a through opening and an outer periphery, a one-piece eating utensil being located in the opening of the top cover wall and connected to the top cover wall by a plurality of discrete, spaced apart, frangible connecting elements.
  • the one-piece utensil has a food engaging portion and an integral handle portion, the handle portion being configured to be gripped by a hand of a user.
  • the length of the one-piece eating utensil measured from an end of the food engaging portion to an end of the handle portion, is less than a distance between opposite sides of the periphery of the top cover wall such that the one-piece eating utensil fits entirely within the periphery of the top cover wall.
  • a side wall extends downwardly from the periphery of the top cover wall and is configured to engage the rim portion of the food container.
  • the present invention also encompasses such a lid having the side wall with a first wall portion extending from the periphery of the top cover wall, a second wall portion having a lateral dimension measured between opposite sides thereof greater than a corresponding dimension of the first wall portion, and a step portion connecting the first and second wall portions together.
  • the second wall portion of one lid is configured to accept therein the first wall portion of another lid so as to permit a plurality of the lids to be stacked in nested fashion. This enables the lids to be stacked so as to minimize the volume occupied by a plurality of the containers, thereby minimizing costs of shipping the lids prior to the attachment to the food container.
  • the eating utensil integrally formed with the lid may comprise a spoon, a fork, or a knife.
  • the handle portion may have reinforcing ribs to facilitate the gripping of the handle by the user, and to increase the rigidity of the handle portion to enable the user to consume the food product without encountering breakage or deformation of the eating utensil.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lid according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lid taken along lines II-II in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines III-III in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a plurality of lids stacked in nested fashion.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lid according to the present invention having a removable protective sheet.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lid according to the present invention without a protective sheet.
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lid according to the present invention illustrating a fork as the eating utensil.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lid according to the present invention illustrating a knife as the eating utensil.
  • the present invention relates to a lid having an integral, one-piece eating utensil that is easily removable from the lid and which possesses the requisite rigidity to enable the utensil to be used without deformation or breakage.
  • eating utensils such as, but not limited to, forks and knives, are also encompassed by this invention.
  • the lid 10 is configured to be mounted on a food container 12 having a rim (not shown) bounding an opening of the food container.
  • the lid comprises a top cover wall 14 having an opening 16 therethrough and an outer periphery 14 a.
  • a one-piece eating utensil 18 is integrally formed with the lid 10 and is located within the opening 16 through the top cover wall 14 .
  • the one-piece eating utensil 18 comprises a spoon having a concave food engaging portion 18 a and an integral, handle portion 18 b extending from one side of the food engaging portion 18 a.
  • Handle portion 18 b is configured to facilitate the gripping thereof by the user when the one-piece eating utensil 18 has been removed from the lid 10 .
  • a lower surface of the handle portion 18 b may have one or more reinforcing ribs 18 c extending therefrom so as to increase the rigidity of the handle portion 18 b and to further facilitate gripping of the handle portion by the user.
  • the opening 16 through the top cover wall 14 is generally the same shape as the outline of the one-piece eating utensil 18 .
  • the one-piece eating utensil 18 is integrally formed with the lid 10 , such as by injection molding, or other known forming processes.
  • a plurality of discrete, spaced apart frangible connecting elements 20 are also integrally formed during the molding process and serve to releasably attach the one-piece eating utensil to the top cover wall 14 . Since connecting elements 20 are frangible in nature, the one-piece eating utensil 18 may be readily removed from the lid 10 once the lid 10 has been removed from the container 12 .
  • a distance d 1 measured between opposite sides of the periphery 14 a of the top cover wall 14 is illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • a length I of the one-piece eating utensil 18 measured between an end of the food engaging portion 18 a and an end of the handle portion 18 b, the total length of the one-piece eating utensil 18 , is less than the distance d 1 between opposite sides of the periphery of the top cover wall.
  • the one-piece eating utensil fits entirely within the periphery 14 a of top cover wall 14 .
  • a side wall 22 extends downwardly from the periphery 14 a of the top cover wall 14 and is configured to engage the rim portion of the food container 12 .
  • the side wall 22 comprises a first wall portion 22 a extending from the periphery 14 a of the top cover wall 14 , a second wall portion 22 b having a lateral dimension d 2 , measured between opposite sides thereof greater than a corresponding dimension of the first wall portion 22 a, and a step portion 22 c connecting the first and second wall portions 22 a, 22 b, together.
  • the lateral dimension measured between opposite sides of the first wall portion 22 a corresponds to the distance d 1 .
  • Forming the side wall 22 such that d 1 is less than d 2 enables a plurality of lids 10 to be stacked in nested fashion, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • the lids and the containers are not made by the food suppliers, but are made by separate manufacturers specializing in those particular areas.
  • the containers and lids are separately shipped to the food preparer, who then fills the container with the prepared food and applies the lids to the container.
  • the stacking of the lids in nested fashion minimizes the volume occupied by a plurality of lids, thereby minimizing the shipping costs to transport the manufactured lids to the food processor.
  • the concave food engaging portion 18 a does not interfere with the nested stacking of the plurality of lids 10 .
  • a protective sheet 24 may be attached to an upper surface of the top cover wall 14 such that the protective sheet covers at least an upper surface of the one-piece eating utensil 18 . This prevents contamination of the one-piece eating utensil 18 during shipping, sale and handling of the food container 12 .
  • the protective sheet 24 may be permanently attached to the top cover wall 14 , as illustrated in FIG. 1. In this instance, once the lid 10 has been removed from the container 12 , the eating utensil 18 may be removed from the underside of the lid 10 .
  • Protective sheet 24 may be attached to the top cover wall 14 by any known methods. The permanent attachment of the protective sheet 24 to the top cover wall 14 enables the food container 12 to be re-covered by the lid 10 if the contents of the container are not completely consumed.
  • the protective sheet 24 may be releasably attached to the top cover wall 14 , as illustrated in FIG. 5.
  • Known types of releasable adhesives may be utilized to affix the protective sheet 24 to the top cover wall 14 .
  • a tab 24 a may also be added to the periphery of the protective sheet 24 to enable the user to readily remove the protective sheet from the lid 10 .
  • the protective sheet 24 may be a transparent, translucent or opaque material and may have advertising indicia thereon.
  • the lid 10 may also be formed with no protective sheet, as illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • the construction of the lid 10 in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is identical to the construction of the lid 10 previously described and illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 4 .
  • the one-piece eating utensil may comprise a fork 26 , illustrated in FIG. 7, or a knife 28 , illustrated in FIG. 8.
  • the top cover wall 14 has the through opening 16 and the one-piece utensil is integrally formed therewith and connected to the top wall 14 by a plurality of discrete, spaced apart frangible connecting elements 20 .
  • the fork 26 has food engaging portion 26 a having a plurality of tines and an integral handle portion 26 b.
  • the total length I of the eating utensil is less than the distance d 1 .
  • the handle portion 26 b may also have the reinforcing ribs 26 c to increase the rigidity of the handle portion 26 b.
  • the one-piece knife 28 has blade portion 28 a and an integral, handle portion 28 b extending therefrom. Reinforcing ribs 28 c may also be provided to increase the rigidity of the utensil. Blade portion 28 a may also have a serrated edge 28 d to increase the cutting efficiency of the knife 28 . As in the previously described embodiment, the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 may also be provided with a permanently attached protective sheet, a releasable protective sheet, or no protective sheet.

Abstract

A lid is disclosed that is configured to be mounted on a food container having a rim bounding an opening of the food container. The lid has a top cover wall with a through opening and an outer periphery, a one-piece eating utensil being located in the opening of the top cover wall and connected to the top cover wall by a plurality of discrete, spaced apart, frangible connecting elements. The one-piece utensil has a food engaging portion and an integral handle portion, the handle portion being configured to be gripped by a hand of a user. The length of the one-piece eating utensil, measured from an end of the food engaging portion to an opposite end of the handle portion, is less than a distance between opposite sides of the periphery of the top cover wall such that the one-piece eating utensil fits entirely within the periphery of the top cover wall. A side wall extends downwardly from the periphery of the top cover wall and is configured to engage the rim portion of the food container.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to a lid for mounting on a food container, more particularly such a lid having a one-piece eating utensil integrally formed with, and easily removable from the lid. [0001]
  • The market for prepared, containerized food products has grown dramatically in recent years. The containerized, ready prepared foods have been found to provide great convenience for those with active lifestyles and enable such prepared foods to be readily marketed in a variety of container sizes to suit the needs of virtually all consumers. The consumption of such prepared food products, quite obviously, requires eating utensils, such as spoons, knives, and forks. A drawback of the known ready prepared food containers is a requirement of the user to provide such eating utensils, which oftentimes generates great inconvenience to the user. [0002]
  • This problem has been recognized and many food containers incorporate covers or lids having an eating utensil contained in, or attached to the cover or lid. Such eating utensils have typically comprised multiple portions, such as separate utensils and handles, which must be removed from the cover or lid and which then must be subsequently assembled to enable the user to properly use the utensil. While such multi-piece utensils have been an improvement over the containers having no utensils, they have not proven to be entirely satisfactory. The multiple-piece eating utensils have increased the manufacturing costs and complexity of the container lids or covers and, generally, the mechanisms by which the multiple pieces are attached together have proven to be insufficiently strong to enable the user to readily consume the food product, or have proven to be too complex for a user to readily comprehend. [0003]
  • Another known type of cover has a compartment in which a separate eating utensil is stored prior to use, or which is attached to the cover by a hinge which must be subsequently broken by the user prior to use. Again, these known types of covers have not proven to be entirely satisfactory, since the use of a separate storage compartment increases the size and bulk of the cover and, again, increases its manufacturing costs and complexity. [0004]
  • Thus, there is believed to be a need for a cover or lid having a one-piece eating utensil integrally formed with, and readily removable from the cover which does not require assembly after removal from the lid or cover, and which provides sufficient rigidity to enable the user to readily consume the food product. It is also believed that there is a need for such a lid or cover having a one-piece eating utensil which does not significantly increase the manufacturing or shipping costs of the lid or cover. [0005]
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • A lid is disclosed that is configured to be mounted on a food container having a rim bounding an opening of the food container. The lid has a top cover wall with a through opening and an outer periphery, a one-piece eating utensil being located in the opening of the top cover wall and connected to the top cover wall by a plurality of discrete, spaced apart, frangible connecting elements. The one-piece utensil has a food engaging portion and an integral handle portion, the handle portion being configured to be gripped by a hand of a user. The length of the one-piece eating utensil, measured from an end of the food engaging portion to an end of the handle portion, is less than a distance between opposite sides of the periphery of the top cover wall such that the one-piece eating utensil fits entirely within the periphery of the top cover wall. A side wall extends downwardly from the periphery of the top cover wall and is configured to engage the rim portion of the food container. [0006]
  • The present invention also encompasses such a lid having the side wall with a first wall portion extending from the periphery of the top cover wall, a second wall portion having a lateral dimension measured between opposite sides thereof greater than a corresponding dimension of the first wall portion, and a step portion connecting the first and second wall portions together. The second wall portion of one lid is configured to accept therein the first wall portion of another lid so as to permit a plurality of the lids to be stacked in nested fashion. This enables the lids to be stacked so as to minimize the volume occupied by a plurality of the containers, thereby minimizing costs of shipping the lids prior to the attachment to the food container. [0007]
  • The eating utensil integrally formed with the lid may comprise a spoon, a fork, or a knife. In each case, the handle portion may have reinforcing ribs to facilitate the gripping of the handle by the user, and to increase the rigidity of the handle portion to enable the user to consume the food product without encountering breakage or deformation of the eating utensil.[0008]
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lid according to the present invention. [0009]
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lid taken along lines II-II in FIG. 1. [0010]
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines III-III in FIG. 1. [0011]
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a plurality of lids stacked in nested fashion. [0012]
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lid according to the present invention having a removable protective sheet. [0013]
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lid according to the present invention without a protective sheet. [0014]
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lid according to the present invention illustrating a fork as the eating utensil. [0015]
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lid according to the present invention illustrating a knife as the eating utensil.[0016]
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • The present invention relates to a lid having an integral, one-piece eating utensil that is easily removable from the lid and which possesses the requisite rigidity to enable the utensil to be used without deformation or breakage. Although the invention will be described with a spoon as the eating utensil, it is to be understood that eating utensils, such as, but not limited to, forks and knives, are also encompassed by this invention. [0017]
  • The [0018] lid 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1, is configured to be mounted on a food container 12 having a rim (not shown) bounding an opening of the food container. The lid comprises a top cover wall 14 having an opening 16 therethrough and an outer periphery 14 a.
  • A one-[0019] piece eating utensil 18 is integrally formed with the lid 10 and is located within the opening 16 through the top cover wall 14. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the one-piece eating utensil 18 comprises a spoon having a concave food engaging portion 18 a and an integral, handle portion 18 b extending from one side of the food engaging portion 18 a. Handle portion 18 b is configured to facilitate the gripping thereof by the user when the one-piece eating utensil 18 has been removed from the lid 10. A lower surface of the handle portion 18 b may have one or more reinforcing ribs 18 c extending therefrom so as to increase the rigidity of the handle portion 18 b and to further facilitate gripping of the handle portion by the user.
  • As illustrated in FIG. 1, the opening [0020] 16 through the top cover wall 14 is generally the same shape as the outline of the one-piece eating utensil 18. The one-piece eating utensil 18 is integrally formed with the lid 10, such as by injection molding, or other known forming processes. A plurality of discrete, spaced apart frangible connecting elements 20 are also integrally formed during the molding process and serve to releasably attach the one-piece eating utensil to the top cover wall 14. Since connecting elements 20 are frangible in nature, the one-piece eating utensil 18 may be readily removed from the lid 10 once the lid 10 has been removed from the container 12.
  • A distance d[0021] 1 measured between opposite sides of the periphery 14 a of the top cover wall 14 is illustrated in FIG. 3. As can be seen in FIG. 2, a length I of the one-piece eating utensil 18, measured between an end of the food engaging portion 18 a and an end of the handle portion 18 b, the total length of the one-piece eating utensil 18, is less than the distance d1 between opposite sides of the periphery of the top cover wall. Thus, the one-piece eating utensil fits entirely within the periphery 14 a of top cover wall 14.
  • A [0022] side wall 22 extends downwardly from the periphery 14 a of the top cover wall 14 and is configured to engage the rim portion of the food container 12. The side wall 22 comprises a first wall portion 22 a extending from the periphery 14 a of the top cover wall 14, a second wall portion 22 b having a lateral dimension d2, measured between opposite sides thereof greater than a corresponding dimension of the first wall portion 22 a, and a step portion 22 c connecting the first and second wall portions 22 a, 22 b, together. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the lateral dimension measured between opposite sides of the first wall portion 22 a corresponds to the distance d1. Forming the side wall 22 such that d1 is less than d2, enables a plurality of lids 10 to be stacked in nested fashion, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Usually, within the industry, the lids and the containers are not made by the food suppliers, but are made by separate manufacturers specializing in those particular areas. The containers and lids are separately shipped to the food preparer, who then fills the container with the prepared food and applies the lids to the container. The stacking of the lids in nested fashion minimizes the volume occupied by a plurality of lids, thereby minimizing the shipping costs to transport the manufactured lids to the food processor. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the concave food engaging portion 18 a does not interfere with the nested stacking of the plurality of lids 10.
  • A [0023] protective sheet 24 may be attached to an upper surface of the top cover wall 14 such that the protective sheet covers at least an upper surface of the one-piece eating utensil 18. This prevents contamination of the one-piece eating utensil 18 during shipping, sale and handling of the food container 12. The protective sheet 24 may be permanently attached to the top cover wall 14, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In this instance, once the lid 10 has been removed from the container 12, the eating utensil 18 may be removed from the underside of the lid 10. Protective sheet 24 may be attached to the top cover wall 14 by any known methods. The permanent attachment of the protective sheet 24 to the top cover wall 14 enables the food container 12 to be re-covered by the lid 10 if the contents of the container are not completely consumed.
  • Alternatively, the [0024] protective sheet 24 may be releasably attached to the top cover wall 14, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Known types of releasable adhesives may be utilized to affix the protective sheet 24 to the top cover wall 14. A tab 24 a may also be added to the periphery of the protective sheet 24 to enable the user to readily remove the protective sheet from the lid 10. Quite obviously, the protective sheet 24 may be a transparent, translucent or opaque material and may have advertising indicia thereon.
  • The [0025] lid 10 may also be formed with no protective sheet, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The construction of the lid 10 in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is identical to the construction of the lid 10 previously described and illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.
  • The one-piece eating utensil may comprise a [0026] fork 26, illustrated in FIG. 7, or a knife 28, illustrated in FIG. 8. In each case, the top cover wall 14 has the through opening 16 and the one-piece utensil is integrally formed therewith and connected to the top wall 14 by a plurality of discrete, spaced apart frangible connecting elements 20. The fork 26 has food engaging portion 26 a having a plurality of tines and an integral handle portion 26 b. As in the previously described embodiment, the total length I of the eating utensil is less than the distance d1. The handle portion 26 b may also have the reinforcing ribs 26 c to increase the rigidity of the handle portion 26 b.
  • The one-[0027] piece knife 28 has blade portion 28 a and an integral, handle portion 28 b extending therefrom. Reinforcing ribs 28 c may also be provided to increase the rigidity of the utensil. Blade portion 28 a may also have a serrated edge 28 d to increase the cutting efficiency of the knife 28. As in the previously described embodiment, the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 may also be provided with a permanently attached protective sheet, a releasable protective sheet, or no protective sheet.
  • The foregoing description is provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as in any way limiting this invention, the scope of which is defined solely by the appended claims. [0028]

Claims (15)

What is claimed is:
1. A lid configured to be mounted on a food container having a rim bounding an opening of the food container, the lid comprising:
a) a top cover wall having a generally planar configuration, the top cover wall having an opening therethrough and an outer periphery;
b) a one-piece eating utensil located in the opening of the top cover wall, the one-piece utensil having a food engaging portion and an integral handle portion extending therefrom, the handle portion being configured to be gripped by a hand of a user, the one-piece eating utensil being removably connected to the top cover wall solely by a plurality of discrete, spaced apart, frangible connecting elements, a length of the one-piece eating utensil from an end of the food engaging portion to an end of the handle portion being less than a distance between opposite sides of the periphery of the top cover wall; and,
c) a side wall extending downwardly from the periphery of the top cover wall and configured to engage the rim portion of the food container.
2. The lid of claim 1 wherein the side wall comprises:
a) a first wall portion extending from the periphery of the top cover wall;
b) a second wall portion having a lateral dimension measured between opposite sides thereof greater than a corresponding dimension of the first wall portion; and,
c) a step portion connecting the first and second wall portions together.
3. The lid of claim 2 wherein the second wall portion of one lid is configured to accept therein the first wall portion of another lid so as to enable a plurality of lids to be stacked in nested fashion.
4. The lid of claim 1 wherein the food engaging portion comprises a spoon.
5. The lid of claim 1 wherein the food engaging portion comprises a fork.
6. The lid of claim 1 wherein the food engaging portion comprises a knife.
7. The lid of claim 1 further comprising a protective sheet attached to the top cover wall and covering at least the one-piece eating utensil.
8. The lid of claim 7 wherein the protective sheet is removably attached to the top cover wall.
9. A lid configured to be mounted on a food container having a rim bounding an opening of the food container, the lid comprising:
a) a top cover wall having a generally planar configuration, the top cover wall having an opening therethrough and an outer periphery;
b) a side wall extending downwardly from the periphery of the top cover wall and configured to engage the rim portion of the food container, the side wall having: a first wall portion extending from the periphery of the top cover wall with a first lateral dimension measured between opposite sides thereof; a second wall portion having a second lateral dimension measured between opposite sides thereof, the second lateral dimension being greater than the first lateral dimension; and step portion connecting the first and second wall portions together; and,
c) a one-piece eating utensil located in the opening of the top cover wall, the one-piece eating utensil having an integral handle configured to be gripped by a hand of a user, the one-piece eating utensil being removably connected to the top cover wall solely by a plurality of discrete, spaced apart, frangible connecting elements.
10. The lid of claim 9 wherein the second wall portion is configured to accept therein the first wall portion of another lid so as to enable a plurality of lids to be stacked in nested fashion.
11. The lid of claim 9 wherein the food engaging portion comprises a spoon.
12. The lid of claim 9 wherein the food engaging portion comprises a fork.
13. The lid of claim 9 wherein the food engaging portion comprises a knife.
14. The lid of claim 9 further comprising a protective sheet attached to the top cover wall and covering at least the one-piece eating utensil.
15. The lid of claim 14 wherein the protective sheet is removably attached to the top cover wall.
US09/924,471 2001-08-09 2001-08-09 Lid having integral one-piece eating utensil Abandoned US20030029868A1 (en)

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US20040035863A1 (en) * 2002-08-20 2004-02-26 Metcalf Darrell J. Multi-purpose food-serving apparatus
US20050189351A1 (en) * 2001-11-30 2005-09-01 Clarke Peter R. Container fitment
US20060119000A1 (en) * 2003-10-28 2006-06-08 Double "H" Plastics, Inc. Composite container closure with detachable utensil
US20070138180A1 (en) * 2005-12-21 2007-06-21 Terry Vovan Enhanced tamper evident bowl with blocked tab
US7419057B2 (en) * 2005-02-15 2008-09-02 Avery Jean E Serving container cover with one or more serving utensil rests
US20080272016A1 (en) * 2007-05-03 2008-11-06 Bruce Anderson Food container having an integrated napkin housing
US20090092711A1 (en) * 2007-10-08 2009-04-09 Andy Ninh Instant Beverage Product
US20090120942A1 (en) * 2007-11-10 2009-05-14 Terry Vovan Convenient food container
US20090120937A1 (en) * 2007-11-10 2009-05-14 Terry Vovan Double ribbed secure container
US20090184120A1 (en) * 2008-01-17 2009-07-23 Sonoco Development, Inc. Container Lid with Integrally Molded Utensil
WO2010135740A2 (en) * 2009-05-22 2010-11-25 Suncirc, Llc Food packaging system with separable food utensils
US20110024462A1 (en) * 2004-01-02 2011-02-03 Sands Innovations Pty Ltd Dispensing Utensil
USD636890S1 (en) 2009-09-17 2011-04-26 Sands Innovations Pty. Ltd. Dispensing utensil
US20120074000A1 (en) * 2009-06-11 2012-03-29 Soremartec S.A. Package for food products
US8146766B2 (en) 2009-04-29 2012-04-03 Pwp Industries Enhanced secure container
US8360262B2 (en) 2005-12-21 2013-01-29 Pactiv Packaging Inc. Integrated food packaging system having a cup, a container, and a cover
US8485360B2 (en) 2011-03-04 2013-07-16 Sands Innovations Pty, Ltd. Fracturable container
US8511500B2 (en) 2010-06-07 2013-08-20 Sands Innovations Pty. Ltd. Dispensing container
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US20140001179A1 (en) * 2011-08-18 2014-01-02 Tricorbraun Inc. Integrated measuring scoop apparatus
US8651311B1 (en) 2012-12-20 2014-02-18 Sonoco Development, Inc. Measuring scoop and support for a container
US8757421B2 (en) 2011-02-14 2014-06-24 Starbucks Corporation Beverage packaging and method of manufacture
US20140353182A1 (en) * 2013-06-04 2014-12-04 Pouch Pac Innovations, Llc Fitment with spoon
US8919594B2 (en) 2007-01-31 2014-12-30 Sands Innovations Pty Ltd Dispensing container
US8950635B2 (en) * 2012-03-14 2015-02-10 Honey Bee Babies, Llc Unitary product-dispensing container having a combined cap and feeding/ dosing dispenser
US9061793B2 (en) 2010-11-29 2015-06-23 Bradshaw International, Inc. Cover for food holder
JP2016078917A (en) * 2014-10-21 2016-05-16 三甲株式会社 Lid member
CN106494742A (en) * 2016-12-21 2017-03-15 深圳市麦士德福科技股份有限公司 Container cover, have the container cover container bottle and the container cover processing method
EP2994396B1 (en) * 2013-05-07 2018-08-29 Ecotensil Inc. Pop-out constructible utensil
USD898564S1 (en) * 2017-05-22 2020-10-13 Kellogg Company Food container
USD905551S1 (en) * 2019-08-26 2020-12-22 Honey Bee Babies, Llc Spoon cap
US10921170B2 (en) * 2017-04-25 2021-02-16 Å&R Carton Lund Aktiebolag Array of different types of metering scoops for dosing a consumer product
US11009381B1 (en) * 2019-10-29 2021-05-18 Cynthia Cardwell Hands free measuring spoon assembly
US11198544B2 (en) 2018-07-27 2021-12-14 Spoonfuls, Inc. Cap having a spoon-shaped closure
US20220089314A1 (en) * 2019-01-24 2022-03-24 Easy Plast S.R.L. Opening/closing device for a container for pourable products

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Cited By (47)

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US20050189351A1 (en) * 2001-11-30 2005-09-01 Clarke Peter R. Container fitment
US7102111B2 (en) * 2002-08-20 2006-09-05 Metcalf Darrell J Multi-purpose food-serving apparatus
US20040035863A1 (en) * 2002-08-20 2004-02-26 Metcalf Darrell J. Multi-purpose food-serving apparatus
US20060119000A1 (en) * 2003-10-28 2006-06-08 Double "H" Plastics, Inc. Composite container closure with detachable utensil
US20110024462A1 (en) * 2004-01-02 2011-02-03 Sands Innovations Pty Ltd Dispensing Utensil
US8528736B2 (en) 2004-01-02 2013-09-10 Sands Innovations Pty Ltd. Frangible container with hinge cover
US8091242B2 (en) 2004-01-02 2012-01-10 Sands Innovations Pty Ltd Dispensing utensil
US7419057B2 (en) * 2005-02-15 2008-09-02 Avery Jean E Serving container cover with one or more serving utensil rests
US20070138180A1 (en) * 2005-12-21 2007-06-21 Terry Vovan Enhanced tamper evident bowl with blocked tab
US8833589B2 (en) 2005-12-21 2014-09-16 Pactiv Packaging Inc. Enhanced tamper evident bowl with blocked tab
US8360262B2 (en) 2005-12-21 2013-01-29 Pactiv Packaging Inc. Integrated food packaging system having a cup, a container, and a cover
US8123064B2 (en) 2005-12-21 2012-02-28 Pwp Industries, Inc. Tamper evident container having a pull-open section
US8919594B2 (en) 2007-01-31 2014-12-30 Sands Innovations Pty Ltd Dispensing container
US20080272016A1 (en) * 2007-05-03 2008-11-06 Bruce Anderson Food container having an integrated napkin housing
US20090092711A1 (en) * 2007-10-08 2009-04-09 Andy Ninh Instant Beverage Product
US20090120937A1 (en) * 2007-11-10 2009-05-14 Terry Vovan Double ribbed secure container
US8127961B2 (en) 2007-11-10 2012-03-06 Pwp Industries Double ribbed secure container
US20090120942A1 (en) * 2007-11-10 2009-05-14 Terry Vovan Convenient food container
US8087530B2 (en) 2008-01-17 2012-01-03 Sonoco Development, Inc. Container lid with integrally molded utensil
US20090184120A1 (en) * 2008-01-17 2009-07-23 Sonoco Development, Inc. Container Lid with Integrally Molded Utensil
US8523016B2 (en) 2008-12-09 2013-09-03 Sands Innovations Pty Ltd. Dispensing container
US8146766B2 (en) 2009-04-29 2012-04-03 Pwp Industries Enhanced secure container
WO2010135740A2 (en) * 2009-05-22 2010-11-25 Suncirc, Llc Food packaging system with separable food utensils
WO2010135740A3 (en) * 2009-05-22 2011-03-31 Suncirc, Llc Food packaging system with separable food utensils
CN102459026A (en) * 2009-06-11 2012-05-16 索雷马泰克有限公司 A package for food products
US8833595B2 (en) * 2009-06-11 2014-09-16 Soremartec S.A. Package for food products
US20120074000A1 (en) * 2009-06-11 2012-03-29 Soremartec S.A. Package for food products
USD636890S1 (en) 2009-09-17 2011-04-26 Sands Innovations Pty. Ltd. Dispensing utensil
US8511500B2 (en) 2010-06-07 2013-08-20 Sands Innovations Pty. Ltd. Dispensing container
US9061793B2 (en) 2010-11-29 2015-06-23 Bradshaw International, Inc. Cover for food holder
US8757421B2 (en) 2011-02-14 2014-06-24 Starbucks Corporation Beverage packaging and method of manufacture
US8485360B2 (en) 2011-03-04 2013-07-16 Sands Innovations Pty, Ltd. Fracturable container
US9541441B2 (en) * 2011-08-18 2017-01-10 Tricorbraun Inc. Integrated measuring scoop apparatus
US20140001179A1 (en) * 2011-08-18 2014-01-02 Tricorbraun Inc. Integrated measuring scoop apparatus
US8950635B2 (en) * 2012-03-14 2015-02-10 Honey Bee Babies, Llc Unitary product-dispensing container having a combined cap and feeding/ dosing dispenser
US8651311B1 (en) 2012-12-20 2014-02-18 Sonoco Development, Inc. Measuring scoop and support for a container
EP2994396B1 (en) * 2013-05-07 2018-08-29 Ecotensil Inc. Pop-out constructible utensil
US9635965B2 (en) * 2013-06-04 2017-05-02 Pouch Pac Innovations, Llc Fitment with spoon
US20140353182A1 (en) * 2013-06-04 2014-12-04 Pouch Pac Innovations, Llc Fitment with spoon
JP2016078917A (en) * 2014-10-21 2016-05-16 三甲株式会社 Lid member
CN106494742A (en) * 2016-12-21 2017-03-15 深圳市麦士德福科技股份有限公司 Container cover, have the container cover container bottle and the container cover processing method
US10921170B2 (en) * 2017-04-25 2021-02-16 Å&R Carton Lund Aktiebolag Array of different types of metering scoops for dosing a consumer product
USD898564S1 (en) * 2017-05-22 2020-10-13 Kellogg Company Food container
US11198544B2 (en) 2018-07-27 2021-12-14 Spoonfuls, Inc. Cap having a spoon-shaped closure
US20220089314A1 (en) * 2019-01-24 2022-03-24 Easy Plast S.R.L. Opening/closing device for a container for pourable products
USD905551S1 (en) * 2019-08-26 2020-12-22 Honey Bee Babies, Llc Spoon cap
US11009381B1 (en) * 2019-10-29 2021-05-18 Cynthia Cardwell Hands free measuring spoon assembly

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