Containers and container assemblies with releasable locking feature

Abstract

A container assembly comprises a first container and a second container. The first container includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim. The rim has a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The second container includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim. The rim has a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The second rim and the first rim are shaped substantially the same. The first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably lockable to each other by fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces. The first container may be shaped substantially the same as the second container.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A method of forming a container assembly, comprising: 
 providing a first container that includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the rim having a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs;    providing a second container that includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the rim having a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs, the first container being shaped substantially the same as the second container;    flipping one of the first container and the second container such that the first container and second container are generally aligned and the first rim and the second rim are adjacent to each other; and    fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces such that the first container and the second container are releasably lockable to each other.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  further including placing a food article on at least one of the first container and the second container before fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first and second containers are bowls.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first and second containers are plates.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first and second containers are made of polymeric material.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first container is identical to the second container.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs are generally perpendicular to the plane of the remainder of the respective rims.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs comprises first and second sidewalls and a surface that encompasses and bridges the first and second sidewalls, at least one of the first and second sidewalls has a first undercut, and wherein the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs comprises third and fourth sidewalls and a surface that encompasses and bridges the third and fourth sidewalls, at least one of the third and fourth sidewalls has a second undercut.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs creates a first pattern that is generally normal to the direction of the first rim, and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs creates a second pattern that is generally normal to the direction of the second rim.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein each of the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs is generally concentric with the center of the first container and each of the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs is generally concentric with the center of the second container.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first rim and the second rim are adapted to form a seal.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the seal is located outwardly from the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs.  
   
   
       36 - 58 . (canceled)  
   
   
       59 . A method of forming a container assembly, comprising: 
 providing a first container that includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the rim having a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs;    providing a second container that includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the rim having a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs, the second rim and the first rim being shaped substantially the same;    flipping one of the first container and the second container such that the first container and second container are generally aligned and the first rim and the second rim are adjacent to each other; and    fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces such that the first container and the second container are releasably lockable to each other.    
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 59  further including placing a food article on at least one of the first container and the second container before fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the first and second containers are bowls.  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the first and second containers are plates.  
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the first container is a bowl and the second container is a plate.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the first and second containers are made of polymeric material.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the first rim is identical to the second rim.  
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs are generally perpendicular to the plane of the remainder of the respective rims.  
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs comprises first and second sidewalls and a surface that encompasses and bridges the first and second sidewalls, at least one of the first and second sidewalls has a first undercut, and wherein the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs comprises third and fourth sidewalls and a surface that encompasses and bridges the third and fourth sidewalls, at least one of the third and fourth sidewalls has a second undercut.  
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs creates a first pattern that is generally normal to the direction of the first rim, and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs creates a second pattern that is generally normal to the direction of the second rim.  
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein each of the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs is generally concentric with the center of the first container and each of the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs is generally concentric with the center of the second container.  
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the first rim and the second rim are adapted to form a seal.  
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the seal is located outwardly from the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs.  
   
   
       72 - 112 . (canceled)