Combination Nut/Shell Bowl

Abstract

An adaptable, two-piece, interlocking container system for use with food items (such as nuts in shells) that have both an edible portion and a waste portion, and/or are typically supplied with tools and/or accessories; and which can be easily lifted and transported as a single unit. A utility bowl, to hold the food items and accessories, nests inside of a separate waste receptacle; affording independent usage and maximum capacity of both bowls. The waste receptacle is equipped with a connecting stem that passes through a corresponding hole in the utility bowl, effectively interlocking the two bowls. This connecting stem is also the means by which a fixed or detachable handle is connected. This configuration provides for a decorative display and total access to both the food items and accompaniments; a broad scope of application; and, with a detachable handle, a very compact unit for storing

1 . An apparatus for use with food-type items that have both an edible portion and a waste portion, and/or require or are typically supplied with various tools, condiments, or accompaniments, and comprising:
 a utility bowl which includes
 a top side comprising
 a product storage area to hold the food-type items being offered, and an accessory storage area containing
 accessory holders to hold the tools or accompaniments supplied for the food-type items offered, and 
 
 a centrally located connecting hole, and 
 
 a bottom side; 
   a waste receptacle of a size and shape that allows it to nest under and outside of the utility bowl and which includes
 a top side, comprising
 a waste storage area to hold the waste generated by the consumption of the food-type items being offered, and 
 a centrally located connecting stem of a size and shape which allows it to pass through the connecting hole from the bottom side of the utility bowl, and 
 
 a bottom side; 
   a connecting system, which interlocks the utility bowl and the waste receptacle, comprising:
 the connecting hole of the utility bowl, and 
 the connecting stem of the waste receptacle comprising
 a top end 
 and a bottom end; and 
 
   a handle means for easy lifting and transporting of the utility bowl and waste receptacle as a single unit; and which is connected to, or made to be an extension of, the top end of the connecting stem.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as defined by  claim 1 , in which the handle means is comprised of:
 a detachable handle which includes
 a top end, and 
 a bottom end which contains a fastening device; 
   and the connecting stern of the waste receptacle which includes a receiving device on the top end as a means of holding said handle.   
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , in which
 the connecting stein includes a threaded aperture as the receiving device; and   the detachable handle includes a threaded protrusion as the fastening device.   
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , in which the detachable handle is of a size and shape allowing it to pass through the connecting hole of the utility bowl from the bottom side. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising product dividers in the product storage. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising a recess on the bottom side of the utility bowl, located under the accessory storage area. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising risers on the bottom side of the waste receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , in which
 the connecting stem of the waste receptacle is of a size and shape that allows it to be inserted into the connecting hole of the utility bowl from the top side without extending past the bottom side of the utility bowl, and   the waste receptacle is of a size and shape that allows it to be inverted and placed on top of the utility bowl and function as a cover or lid.