Modular insulated container system

Abstract

A modular container for consumable products includes a first receptacle, defining a first volume, and a second receptacle, defining a second receptacle volume. Joining means for joining the first container and the second container has first and second sides and is adapted for positioning between the containers at the open ends. The joining means covers the open end of the second receptacle when placed in engagement with the second receptacle open end to form a sealed joint in a joining means combination. The joining means combination has a first attachment mechanism for removably attaching the combination to the open end of the first receptacle such that the joining member is interposed between the first and second receptacles.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A system for containing foods or beverages comprising:
 a first receptacle defining a first volume, having a first receptacle open end and a first receptacle opposed end;   a second receptacle defining a second volume less than the first volume, having a second receptacle open end with a first engaging surface and a second receptacle opposed end; and   a first joining member having first and second sides, adapted for positioning between the receptacles at the open ends, for engaging each of the first receptacle and the second receptacle, the joining member combination having a first attachment mechanism for removably attaching the combination to the open end of the first receptacle such that the first joining member is interposed between the first and second receptacles and wherein the joining member is removably held in place in the open end of the second receptacle by a second attachment mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first receptacle has a plurality of first receptacle grip surfaces along the outside of the container. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second receptacle has a plurality of second receptacle grip surfaces along the outside of the container. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second receptacle has a second engaging surface at the second receptacle opposed end such that a second joining member is interposed between the second and a third receptacle and wherein the second joining member is removably held in place in the open end of the second receptacle by a third attachment mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment mechanism has a first series of threads on the first receptacle adjacent to the first receptacle open end, and a second series of cooperative threads on the second receptacle adjacent to the second receptacle open end, such that the second receptacle and joining member combination may be removably attached to the first receptacle by screwing the combination onto the first receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the series of cooperative threads comprises a bayonet mount. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the series of cooperative threads includes an annular fluid. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first receptacle encloses a spaced apart liner portion, wherein the liner portion comprises a polymeric foam. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first side faces the second receptacle when the joining member is inserted in the second receptacle open end, and the second side of the joining member has a grip such that the joining member can be manually removed from the second receptacle open end. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second attachment mechanism has a third series of threads on an outer rim of the joining member and a fourth series of threads, cooperative with the third series of threads, on an inner lid of the second receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . A modular container for consumable products comprising:
 a first receptacle, defining a first volume, having a first receptacle open end and a first receptacle opposed end;   a second receptacle, defining a second receptacle volume, having a second receptacle open end and a second receptacle opposed end; and   joining member for joining the first receptacle to the second receptacle, having first and second sides, the joining member adapted for positioning between the containers at the open ends, having a first attachment mechanism for removably attaching the combination to the open end of the first receptacle such that the joining member is interposed between the first and second receptacles and wherein the joining member is removably held in place in the open end of the second receptacle by a second attachment mechanism, such that the first and second receptacles may be removably attached for ease of transportation and storage.   
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the first receptacle has a plurality of first receptacle grip surfaces along the outside of the container and the second receptacle has a plurality of second receptacle grip surfaces along the outside of the container. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the joining member serves as one of a group including a septum and a communicating connector joining the first and second receptacle volumes to form a container volume. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the first attachment mechanism has a first series of threads on the first receptacle adjacent to the first receptacle open end, and a second series of cooperative threads on the second receptacle adjacent to the second receptacle open end, such that the second receptacle and joining member combination may be removably attached to the first receptacle by screwing the combination onto the first container. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the threads comprise a bayonet mount. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the first receptacle has a body portion connected to a spaced apart liner portion, wherein the body portion encloses a majority of the liner portion forming a first insulating volume in the first receptacle, and wherein the second receptacle has an outer lid connected to a spaced apart inner lid, wherein the outer lid encloses a majority of the inner lid forming a second insulating volume in the second receptacle. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , including an annular fluid seal between the inner lid and the joining member. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the first side faces the second receptacle when the joining member is inserted in the second receptacle open end, and the second side of the joining member has a grip such that the joining member can be manually removed from the second receptacle open end. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the second attachment mechanism has a third series of threads on an outer rim of the joining member and a fourth series of threads, cooperative with the third series of threads, on an inner lid of the second receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . A method for storing and using two different consumable products comprising:
 providing a container that includes a first receptacle, defining a first receptacle volume, having a first receptacle open end and a first receptacle opposed end; a second receptacle, defining a second receptacle volume, the second receptacle having a second receptacle open end and a second receptacle opposed end; and a joining member, adapted for positioning between the receptacles at the open ends, for joining the first receptacle to the second receptacle;   inserting the joining member into the second receptacle open end to form a sealed joint in the second receptacle and joining member combination;   attaching the second receptacle and joining member combination to the first receptacle open end;   removing the second receptacle and joining member combination from the first receptacle open end; and   removing the joining member from the second receptacle open end.