Hinged dual chamber storage container

Abstract

A dual chamber hinged food storage container is disclosed. The dual chamber food storage container includes a first resealable container and a second resealable container joined by a hinge. The dual chamber food storage container may assume a compact folded configuration for transportation and storage, as well as a convenient opened configuration for serving the food items stored in the dual chamber food storage container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dual volume storage device comprising:
 a first container comprising a first base and a first top;   a second container comprising a second base and a second top; and   a hinge connecting the first top and the second top;   wherein:   the first container and the second container are situated side by side with the first base and the second base in a coplanar alignment when the device is in an opened configuration; and   the first container is inverted about the hinge to contact the first top with the second top opposite to the second base when the device is in a folded configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a latch, the latch comprising a first interlocking element attached to the first top and a second interlocking element attached to the second top, wherein the first interlocking element and the second interlocking element reversibly interlock mechanically to maintain the device in the folded configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the latch is selected from a hook, a hasp, or a clip. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle attached at a handle fitting to either the first container or the second container, wherein:
 the handle is free to rotate between a deployed position and a stowed position;   the handle is in the deployed position when the device is in a closed configuration; and   the handle is in the stowed position when the device is in the opened configuration.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the handle is attached to the first container at the handle fitting on the first base; and   the handle fits within a receptacle formed within the first base when the handle is in the stowed position.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the handle is attached to the second container at the handle fitting on the second top;   the handle is situated above the first base when the handle is in the deployed position; and   the handle is situated beside the second base when the handle is in the stowed position.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first container further comprises a first lid reversibly sealing a first opening formed within the first top, wherein the first container and the first lid enclose a first volume; and   the second container further comprises a second lid reversibly sealing a second opening formed within the second top, wherein the second container and the second lid enclose a second volume.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first lid further comprises a first edge seal that reversibly forms a seal with a corresponding first receptacle formed within the first opening, wherein the first lid reversibly seals the first volume; and   the second lid further comprises a second edge seal that reversibly forms a seal with a corresponding second receptacle formed within the second opening, wherein the second lid reversibly seals the second volume when the second lid is inserted within the second opening.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first edge seal and the second edge seal are independently selected from: a threaded edge, a gasket edge, and a force-fit edge. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the first receptacle and the second receptacle are independently selected from: a threaded receptacle, a gasket receptacle, a force-fit receptacle, wherein the first receptacle and second receptacle are matched to the first edge seal and the second edge seal, respectively. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the first container and the second container form water-tight seals. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first lid, the second lid, or both the first and second lids further comprise at least one vent forming a vented passage through the first lid or the second lid from an outer lid surface to an inner lid surface, wherein the vent is configured to equalize an internal pressure within the first container or the second container to an ambient pressure if the internal pressure falls below the ambient pressure. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the first lid, the second lid, or both the first and second lids further comprise an accessory retention fitting formed within the first lid or second lid to retain one or more additional accessories comprising cutlery, seasonings, condiments, dressings, toppings, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first container, the second container, or both the first container and the second container are at least partially constructed from a transparent material. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first container, the second container, or both the first container and the second container are at least partially constructed from thermally insulated materials. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first container further comprises a first collar attached over the first top, wherein the hinge is attached to the first collar at one end; and   the second container further comprises a second collar attached over the second top, wherein the hinge is attached to the second collar at another end opposite to the first collar.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the device further comprises a latch, the latch comprising a first interlocking element attached to the first collar and a second interlocking element attached to the second collar, wherein the first interlocking element and the second interlocking element reversibly interlock mechanically to maintain the device in the folded configuration. 
     
     
         18 . A dual volume storage device comprising:
 a first container comprising a first base and a first top, the first top is opposite to the first base;   a second container comprising a second base and a second top, the second top is opposite to the second base; and   a hinge connecting the first container and the second container;   wherein:   the first container and the second container are situated side by side with the first base and the second base in a coplanar alignment when the device is in an opened configuration; and   the first container is inverted about the hinge to situate the first top adjacent to the second top when the device is in a folded configuration.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , further comprising a latch, the latch comprising a first interlocking element attached to the first top and a second interlocking element attached to the second top, wherein the first interlocking element and the second interlocking element reversibly interlock mechanically to maintain the device in a folded configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , further comprising a handle attached at a handle fitting to either the first container or the second container, wherein:
 the handle is free to rotate between a deployed position and a stowed position;   the handle is in the deployed position when the device is in a closed configuration; and   the handle is in the stowed position when the device is in the opened configuration.   
     
     
         21 . A dual volume storage device comprising:
 a first container comprising:
 a first base; 
 a first top opposite to the first base; 
 a first collar attached over the first top, the first collar comprising a first lid receptacle defining a first opening; and 
 a first lid reversibly sealing the first opening wherein the first container encloses a first volume when the first lid seals the first opening, the first lid comprising:
 a first edge seal that reversibly seals to the first lid receptacle when the first lid is inserted within the first opening; and 
 
   a second container comprising:
 a second base; 
 a second top opposite to the second base; 
 a second collar attached over the second top, the second collar comprising a second lid receptacle defining a second opening and a pair of handle receptacles; and 
 a second lid reversibly sealing the second opening wherein the second container encloses a second volume when the second lid seals the second opening, the second lid comprising a second edge seal that reversibly seals to the second lid receptacle when the second lid is inserted within the second opening; 
   a hinge connecting the first top and the second top, wherein the hinge is attached to the first collar and to the second collar at opposite ends of the hinge;   a latch comprising a first interlocking element attached to the first collar and a second interlocking element attached to the second collar, wherein the first interlocking element and the second interlocking element reversibly interlock mechanically to maintain the device in a folded configuration; and   a handle comprising a central grip situated between two handle arms, each handle arm ending in a handle fastener opposite the central grip, wherein the handle fasteners are attached to the second container at the handle fittings of the second collar;   wherein:   the first container and the second container are situated side by side with the first base and the second base in a coplanar alignment when the device is in an opened configuration;   the first container is inverted about the hinge to contact the first collar with the second collar when the device is in the folded configuration; and   the handle is configured to reversibly rotate about the handle fittings to permit movement of the central grip between a first grip position situated vertically above the first base when the device is in the folded configuration and a second grip position beside the second base when the device is in the opened configuration.