Food Container with Cup Recess

Abstract

A food container includes a base and a lid, and the lid may have a recess configured to receive a second container. The base may comprise a formed cavity that provides a bowl into which food or other items may be placed. The recess in the lid may receive a cup containing another item, such as a condiment or topping. The cup with the condiment or topping may be inserted into the recess, and removed from the recess, without removing the lid from the base. The lid and/or the base may be formed from any suitable materials, such as a transparent or non-transparent plastic material, and/or a compostable material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A food container, comprising:
 a base; and   a lid configured to be joined with the base, and comprising a recess configured to receive a second container that is accessible while the lid is joined with the base.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the recess is configured to receive a cup containing a condiment or topping. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid further comprises a second recess configured to receive a third container. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second recesses are different sizes and configured to receive different sized second and third containers. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a formed cavity having one or more dividing partitions. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid further comprises a second recess configured to receive one or more items of cutlery. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid further comprises at least one upward projection configured to engage with a complimentary recess of the second container. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid further comprises at least one upward projection configured to engage with an aperture of an item of cutlery. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is coupled the base through a foldable connection. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base is formed from a compostable material. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the compostable material comprises pulped organic material. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the pulped material is selected from one or more of: bagasse material, recycled corrugate, shredded straw, or shredded bamboo. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the base and lid are formed from a plastic material. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a closure mechanism coupled with the base that engages with the lid to secure the lid to the base. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a utensil engagement portion that secures a utensil to the container. 
     
     
         16 . A lid for a food container, comprising:
 a top surface;   at least one recess in the top surface configured to receive a second container that is accessible while the lid is joined with a base; and   at least one upward projection that projects from the top surface and is configured to engage with an aperture of an item of cutlery.   
     
     
         17 . The lid of  claim 16 , wherein the recess is configured to receive a cup containing a condiment or topping. 
     
     
         18 . The lid of  claim 16 , wherein the lid comprises first and second recesses configured to receive the second container and a third container. 
     
     
         19 . The lid of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second recesses are different sizes and configured to different sized second and third containers. 
     
     
         20 . The lid of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one upward projection comprises a first upward projection configured to engage with the aperture of the item of cutlery, and a second upward projection configured to engage with a complimentary recess of the second container. 
     
     
         21 . The lid of  claim 20 , wherein the second upward projection and complementary recess engage and provide a frictional engagement to secure the second container to the lid. 
     
     
         22 . The lid of  claim 20 , wherein the second container is a soufflé cup.