Food Container

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment, a container for carrying food is provided. The container can include one or more sidewalls; a primary food compartment defined by the one or more sidewalls; a cooling compartment disposed beneath the primary food compartment; a sealable opening for the cooling compartment accessible from the exterior of the container; and, wherein the cooling compartment is disposed immediately adjacent to the primary food compartment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container for carrying food comprising: 
       one or more sidewalls;
 a primary food compartment defined by the one or more sidewalls; 
 a cooling compartment disposed beneath the primary food compartment; 
 a sealable opening for the cooling compartment accessible from the exterior of the container; 
 wherein the cooling compartment is disposed immediately adjacent to the primary food compartment. 
 
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the cooling compartment defines a substantially flat surface during use. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the cooling compartment provides a structural base for supporting the container in an upright position during use. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  and further comprising:
 a layer of material disposed between the primary food compartment and the cooling compartment and having a greater insulating capacity than an insulating capacity of material used for the one or more sidewalls. 
 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  and further comprising:
 an exhaust port disposed in the one or more sidewalls. 
 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the sidewall material comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container is collapsible so as to form a substantially reduced volume when collapsed relative to when in use. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the one or more sidewalls comprises two or more layers of material. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1  and further comprising: 
       an opening of the primary food compartment; 
       and wherein the one or more sidewalls comprises a greater degree of insulation extending from an interface with the cooling compartment at least partially toward the opening of the primary food compartment. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the sealable opening is configured to receive insertion of a standard faucet head. 
     
     
         11 . A method of making a food container, the method comprising:
 establishing a primary food compartment with one or more sidewalls;   establishing a cooling compartment, the cooling compartment disposed immediately adjacent and beneath the primary food compartment during use;   establishing a sealable opening for the cooling compartment accessible from the exterior of the container.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the primary food compartment defines a substantially flat surface during use. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the cooling compartment provides a structural base for supporting the container in an upright position during use. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  and further comprising:
 disposing a layer of material between the primary food compartment and the cooling compartment, the layer of material having a greater insulating capacity than an insulating capacity of material used for the one or more sidewalls. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  and further comprising:
 disposing an exhaust port in the one or more sidewalls. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  and further comprising:
 utilizing polyethylene as the sidewall material. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  and further comprising:
 configuring the container to be collapsible so as to form a substantially reduced volume when collapsed relative to when in use. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  and further comprising:
 configuring one or more sidewalls from two or more layers of material. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  and further comprising:
 disposing an opening for the primary food compartment; 
 utilizing a greater degree of insulation for the one or more sidewalls, the greater degree of insulation extending from an interface with the cooling compartment at least partially toward the opening of the primary food compartment. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  and further comprising:
 configuring the sealable opening to receive insertion of a standard faucet head.