Soup box container

Abstract

A container assembly for use in containing a food product includes a receptacle having a mouth defining an opening. The container assembly also includes a sleeve having a plurality of sidewalls forming a cavity and a cover engaging with the sidewalls and covering the cavity. The cavity at least partially retains the receptacle therein. The cover includes a rim defining an aperture for receiving the mouth of the receptacle therethrough.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container assembly for use in containing a food product comprising:
 a receptacle having a mouth defining an opening; and   a sleeve having a plurality of sidewalls forming a cavity and a cover engaging the sidewalls and covering the cavity, the cavity at least partially receiving the receptacle therein, the cover including an aperture for receiving the mouth of the receptacle therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulation layer at least partially enveloping the receptacle and retained by the sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is corrugated. 
     
     
         4 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes a flap hingedly coupled to the sleeve, the flap configured to converge towards and engage the mouth of the receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a rim defines the aperture and the rim has a substantially linear portion engaging the receptacle to maintain the cover in a closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a top wall and a plurality of partitions extending from the top wall, the plurality of partitions configured to partially overlap the sidewalls. 
     
     
         7 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is hingedly coupled to one of the plurality of sidewalls. 
     
     
         8 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a slot formed therein configured for receiving a utensil. 
     
     
         9 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes a handle coupled thereto. 
     
     
         10 . A container assembly for use in containing a food product comprising:
 a receptacle having a mouth defining an opening;   an insulation layer at least partially enveloping the receptacle; and   a sleeve having a plurality of sidewalls forming a cavity and a cover hingedly coupled with a first one of the sidewalls, the cavity at least partially receiving the receptacle and the insulation therein, the cover including an aperture for receiving the mouth of the receptacle therethrough.   
     
     
         11 . The container assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the sleeve is corrugated and the insulation layer is a preformed bubble foil wrap. 
     
     
         12 . The container assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the sleeve includes a flap hingedly coupled to a second one of the sidewalls 
     
     
         13 . The container assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the cover includes a slot formed therein configured for receiving a utensil and the sleeve includes a handle coupled thereto. 
     
     
         14 . The container assembly of  claim 10 , wherein a rim defines the aperture and the rim has a substantially linear portion engaging the receptacle and configured to maintain the cover in a closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The container assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the cover includes a top wall and a plurality of partitions extending from the top wall, the plurality of partitions configured to partially overlap the plurality of sidewalls. 
     
     
         16 . A method of assembling a container assembly comprising the steps of:
 providing a blank including a plurality of side panels, a plurality of bottom flaps each hingedly coupled to a first end of one of the plurality of side panels, and a top panel hingedly coupled to a second end of a first one of the side panels;   arranging the side panels, the bottom flaps, and the top panel to form an outer shell having a plurality of sidewalls and a cover;   providing a receptacle and an insulation layer, the receptacle having a mouth defining an opening configured for receiving a food product;   enveloping the receptacle with the insulation layer;   disposing the receptacle and the insulation layer in the outer shell; and   positioning the top cover in a closed position.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the top panel includes a plurality of sections. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of folding the plurality of sections to form a top wall of the cover and a plurality of partitions of the cover, the partitions extending from the top wall and configured to overlap a portion of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of folding at least one of the sections upon itself to envelope a portion of the cover. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of filling the receptacle with a food product.