Polymeric containers and container assemblies with cohesive

Abstract

A polymeric container assembly comprises first and second polymeric containers. The first polymeric container includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim having a first surface. The first rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the first body portion. The first surface of the first rim includes a first cohesive. The second polymeric container includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim having a second surface. The second rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the second body portion. The second surface of the second rim includes a second cohesive. The first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably attachable to each other by pressing the first and second rims together such that the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.

1 . A polymeric container assembly comprising: 
 a first polymeric container including a first continuous body portion and a first rim having a first surface, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the first surface of the first rim including a first cohesive; and    a second polymeric container including a second continuous body portion and a second rim having a second surface, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the second surface of the second rim including a second cohesive,    wherein the first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably attachable to each other by pressing the first and second rims together such that the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.    
   
   
       2 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises polymeric foam.  
   
   
       3 . The container assembly of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises high-impact polystyrene.  
   
   
       4 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises orientated polystyrene (OPS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The container assembly of  claim 4  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises mineral-filled polypropylene.  
   
   
       6 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first and second cohesives are the same.  
   
   
       7 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first and second cohesives are water-based cohesives.  
   
   
       8 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first rim forms at least one recess therein, the at least one recess including the first cohesive and wherein the second rim forms at least one recess therein, the at least one recess including the second cohesive.  
   
   
       9 . The container assembly of  claim 8  wherein the first rim forms a plurality of recesses and wherein the second rim forms a plurality of recesses.  
   
   
       10 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first and second containers are bowls.  
   
   
       11 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first and second containers are plates.  
   
   
       12 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first container is a bowl and the second container is a plate.  
   
   
       13 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first container is shaped substantially the same as the second container.  
   
   
       14 . The container assembly of  claim 13  wherein the first container is identical to the second container.  
   
   
       15 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first rim forms a first plurality of ripples projecting generally upwardly therefrom with a respective first space being formed between adjacent ones of the first plurality of ripples, the respective first space containing the first cohesive, wherein the second rim forms a plurality of ripples projecting generally upwardly therefrom with a respective second space being formed between adjacent ones of the second plurality of ripples, the respective second space containing the second cohesive, and wherein the first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably attachable to each other by pressing the first rim and the second rim together such that the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.  
   
   
       16 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first rim has a first plurality of upwardly-projecting features with first spaces being formed between adjacent upwardly-projecting features, the first spaces containing the first cohesive, wherein the second rim has a second plurality of upwardly-projecting features with second spaces being formed between adjacent upwardly-projecting features, the second spaces containing the second cohesive, the second rim and the first rim being shaped substantially the same, and wherein the first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably attachable to each other by pressing the first plurality of upwardly-projecting features and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting features together such that the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.  
   
   
       17 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first rim has a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs, the first spaces containing the first cohesive, wherein the second rim has a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs, the second spaces containing the second cohesive, and wherein the first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably attachable to each other by pressing the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs together such that the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.  
   
   
       18 . The container assembly of  claim 17  wherein each of the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs includes at least about 3 ribs.  
   
   
       19 . The container assembly of  claim 17  wherein each of the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs includes at least about 40 ribs.  
   
   
       20 . A method of forming a polymeric container assembly, the method of comprising the acts of: 
 providing a first polymeric container that includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim having a first surface, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the first surface of the first rim including a first cohesive;    providing a second polymeric container that includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim having a second surface, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the second surface of the second rim including a second cohesive;    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    pressing the first and second rims together such that the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further including placing a food article on at least one of the first container and the second container before pressing the first and second rims together.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises polymeric foam.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises high-impact polystyrene.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises orientated polystyrene (OPS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises mineral-filled polypropylene.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the first and second cohesives are the same.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the first and second cohesives are water-based cohesives.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the first rim forms at least one recess therein, the at least one recess including the first cohesive and wherein the second rim forms at least one recess therein, the at least one recess including the second cohesive.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the first rim has a first plurality of upwardly-projecting features with first spaces being formed between adjacent upwardly-projecting features, the first spaces containing the first cohesive, wherein the second rim has a second plurality of upwardly-projecting features with second spaces being formed between adjacent upwardly-projecting features, the second spaces containing the second cohesive, the second rim and the first rim being shaped substantially the same, and wherein the first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably attachable to each other by pressing the first plurality of upwardly-projecting features and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting features together such that the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.  
   
   
       30 . A polymeric container assembly comprising: 
 a first polymeric container including a first continuous body portion, a first handle and a second handle, the first and second handles encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the first handle including a first cohesive, the second handle including a second cohesive; and    a second polymeric container including a second continuous body portion, a third handle and a fourth handle, the third and fourth handles encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the third handle including a third cohesive, the fourth handle including a fourth cohesive,    wherein the first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably attachable to each other by pressing the first handle and the third handle together such that the first cohesive and the third cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other and pressing the second handle and the fourth handle together such that the second cohesive and the fourth cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.    
   
   
       31 . The container assembly of  claim 30  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises a polymeric foam.  
   
   
       32 . The container assembly of  claim 31  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises high-impact polystyrene.  
   
   
       33 . The container assembly of  claim 30  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises orientated polystyrene (OPS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       34 . The container assembly of  claim 33  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises mineral-filled polypropylene.  
   
   
       35 . The container assembly of  claim 30  wherein the first, second, third and fourth cohesives are the same.  
   
   
       36 . The container assembly of  claim 30  wherein the first, second, third and fourth cohesives are water-based cohesives.  
   
   
       37 . The container assembly of  claim 30  wherein the first container has exactly a first handle and a second handle, the first and second handles being located on opposite sides from each other and wherein the second container has exactly a third handle and a fourth handle, the third and fourth handles being located on opposite sides from each other.  
   
   
       38 . The container assembly of  claim 30  wherein the first handle forms a first recess therein and the second handle forms a second recess therein, the first and second recesses including respective first and second cohesives, and wherein the third handle forms a third recess therein and the fourth handle forms a fourth recess therein, the third and fourth recesses including respective third and fourth cohesives.  
   
   
       39 . The container assembly of  claim 30  wherein the first handle forms a plurality of first recesses therein and the second handle forms a plurality of second recesses therein, the first and second plurality of recesses including respective first and second cohesives, and wherein the third handle forms a plurality of third recesses therein and the fourth handle forms a plurality of fourth recesses therein, the third and plurality of fourth recesses including respective third and fourth cohesives.  
   
   
       40 . The container assembly of  claim 30  wherein the first and second containers are bowls.  
   
   
       41 . The container assembly of  claim 30  wherein the first and second containers are plates.  
   
   
       42 . The container assembly of  claim 30  wherein the first container is a bowl and the second container is a plate.  
   
   
       43 . The container assembly of  claim 30  wherein the first container is shaped substantially the same as the second container.  
   
   
       44 . The container assembly of  claim 43  wherein the first container is identical to the second container.  
   
   
       45 . A method of forming a polymeric container assembly, the method comprising the acts of: 
 providing a first polymeric container including a first continuous body portion, a first handle, and a second handle, the first and second handles encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the first handle including a first cohesive, the second handle including a second cohesive;    providing a second polymeric container including a second continuous body portion, a third handle and a fourth handle, the third and fourth handles encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the third handle including a third cohesive, the fourth handle including a fourth cohesive;    flipping one of the first container and the second container such that the first and second handles of the first container are generally aligned with respective third and forth handles of the second container;    pressing the first and third handles together such that the first cohesive and the third cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other; and    pressing the second and fourth handles together such that the second cohesive and the fourth cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.    
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45  further including placing a food article on at least one of the first container and the second container before pressing the first and third handles together and before pressing the second and fourth handles together.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 45  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises a polymeric foam.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises high-impact polystyrene.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 45  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises orientated polystyrene (OPS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 49  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises mineral-filled polypropylene.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the first, second, third and fourth cohesives are the same.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the first, second, third and fourth cohesives are water-based cohesives.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the first container has exactly a first handle and a second handle, the first and second handles being located on opposite sides from each other and wherein the second container has exactly a third handle and a fourth handle, the third and fourth handles being located on opposite sides from each other.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the first handle forms a first recess therein and the second handle forms a second recess therein, the first and second recesses including respective first and second cohesives, and wherein the third handle forms a third recess therein and the fourth handle forms a fourth recess therein, the third and fourth recesses including respective third and fourth cohesives.  
   
   
       55 . A hinged polymeric container comprising: 
 a polymeric base including a first continuous body portion and a first rim having a first surface, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the first surface of the first rim including a first cohesive; and    a polymeric lid including a second continuous body portion and a second rim having a second surface, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the second surface of the second rim including a second cohesive, the lid being hingedly attached to the base,    wherein the first rim and the second rim are adapted to be releasably attachable to each other by pressing the first and second rims together such that the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.    
   
   
       56 . The container of  claim 55  wherein at least one of the base and the lid comprises polymeric foam.  
   
   
       57 . The container of  claim 56  wherein at least one of the base and the lid comprises high-impact polystyrene.  
   
   
       58 . The container of  claim 55  wherein at least one of the base and the lid comprises orientated polystyrene (OPS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       59 . The container of  claim 58  wherein the at least one of base and the lid comprises mineral-filled polypropylene.  
   
   
       60 . The container of  claim 55  wherein the first and second cohesives are the same.  
   
   
       61 . The container of  claim 55  wherein the first and second cohesives are water-based cohesives.  
   
   
       62 . The container of  claim 55  wherein the first rim forms at least one recess therein, the at least one recess including a first cohesive and wherein the second rim forms at least one recess therein, the at least one recess including a second cohesive.  
   
   
       63 . The container of  claim 62  wherein the first rim forms a plurality of recesses and wherein the second rim forms a plurality of recesses.  
   
   
       64 . The container of  claim 55  wherein the first rim forms a first plurality of ripples projecting generally upwardly therefrom with a respective first space being formed between adjacent ones of the first plurality of ripples, the respective first space containing the first cohesive, wherein the second rim forms a plurality of ripples projecting generally upward therefrom with a respective second space being formed between adjacent ones of the second plurality of ripples, the respective second space containing the second cohesive, and wherein the base and the lid are adapted to be releasably attachable to each other by pressing the first rim and the second rim together such that the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.  
   
   
       65 . A method of using a hinged polymeric container, the method comprising the acts of: 
 providing a polymeric base including a first continuous body portion and a first rim having a first surface, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the first surface of the first rim including a first cohesive;    providing a polymeric lid including a second continuous body portion and a second rim having a second surface, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the second surface of the second rim including a second cohesive, the lid being hingedly attached to the base; and    pressing the first and second rims together such that the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.    
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 65  further including placing a food article on at least one of the base and the lid before pressing the first and second rims together.  
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 65  wherein at least one of the base and the lid comprises polymeric foam.  
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 67  wherein at least one of the base and the lid comprises high-impact polystyrene.  
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 65  wherein at least one of the base and the lid comprises orientated polystyrene (OPS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 69  wherein at least one of the base and the lid comprises mineral-filled polypropylene.  
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the first and second cohesives are the same.  
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the first and second cohesives are water-based cohesives.  
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the first rim forms at least one recess therein, the at least one recess including a first cohesive and wherein the second rim forms at least one recess therein, the at least one recess including a second cohesive.  
   
   
       74 . A polymeric container comprising: 
 a polymeric base including a first continuous body portion and a first rim, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion; and    a polymeric lid including a second continuous body portion and a second rim, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion,    wherein either the base or the lid forms a tab and the other of the base and the lid forms a slot, the tab having a surface that includes a second cohesive, the other of the base and the lid having a surface including a second cohesive, the base and lid being releasably attachable to each other by extending the tab into the slot such that the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.    
   
   
       75 . The container of  claim 74  wherein the lid forms a tab and the base forms a slot.  
   
   
       76 . The container of  claim 75  wherein the first rim of the base of forms a slot.  
   
   
       77 . The container of  claim 74  wherein the tab is adapted to bend such that the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.  
   
   
       78 . The container of  claim 74  wherein the tab is adapted to bend in a clockwise direction such the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.  
   
   
       79 . The container of  claim 74  wherein the tab is adapted to bend in a counterclockwise direction such the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.  
   
   
       80 . The container of  claim 74  wherein at least one of the base and the lid comprises high-impact polystyrene.  
   
   
       81 . The container of  claim 74  wherein at least one of the base and the lid comprises orientated polystyrene (OPS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       82 . The container of  claim 81  wherein at least one of the base and the lid comprises mineral-filled polypropylene.  
   
   
       83 . The container of  claim 74  wherein the first and second cohesives are the same.  
   
   
       84 . The container of  claim 74  wherein the first and second cohesives are water-based cohesives.  
   
   
       85 . A polymeric container assembly comprising: 
 a first polymeric container including a first continuous body portion and a first flap integrally connected to and extending therefrom, the first continuous body portion having a first surface located opposite of the first flap, the first surface having a first cohesive, the first flap having a first inner surface including a second cohesive;    a second polymeric container including a second continuous body portion and a second flap integrally connected to and extending therefrom, the second body portion having a second surface located opposite of the second flap, the second surface having a third cohesive, the second flap having a second inner surface including a fourth cohesive;    wherein the first polymeric container and the second polymeric container are adapted to be releasably attachable to each other by contacting the first and fourth cohesives and contacting the second and third cohesives.    
   
   
       86 . The container assembly of  claim 85  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises polymeric foam.  
   
   
       87 . The container assembly of  claim 86  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises high-impact polystyrene.  
   
   
       88 . The container assembly of  claim 85  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises orientated polystyrene (OPS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       89 . The container assembly of  claim 88  wherein at least one of the first and second containers comprises mineral-filled polypropylene.  
   
   
       90 . The container assembly of  claim 85  wherein the first, second, third and fourth cohesives are the same.  
   
   
       91 . The container assembly of  claim 85  wherein the first, second, third and fourth cohesives are water-based cohesives.  
   
   
       92 . The container assembly of  claim 85  wherein the first container is shaped substantially the same as the second container.  
   
   
       93 . The container assembly of  claim 92  wherein the first container is identical to the second container.