Bowl-shaped container

Abstract

A container that facilitates the removal of frozen contents is provided and includes an integrated body that has an outer wall portion having a top perimeter, a center projection having an inner wall portion and a substantially horizontal flat portion, and a base providing a connection between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion. A distance from a bottom portion of the base to the top perimeter is substantially the same as a distance from the bottom portion of the base to a top of the substantially horizontal flat portion.

1 . A container comprising:
 an integrated body including:
 an outer wall portion having a top perimeter; 
 a center projection having an inner wall portion and a substantially horizontal flat portion; and 
 a base providing a connection between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion, 
   wherein a distance from a bottom portion of the base to the top perimeter is substantially the same as a distance from the bottom portion of the base to a top of the substantially horizontal flat portion, and   wherein the ring includes a first flat portion disposed near a top portion of the outer wall portion and a second flat portion disposed near a top of the inner wall portion that is substantially parallel to the first flat portion.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a lid that attaches to a top of the body wherein an inside surface of the lid contacts the substantially horizontal flat portion when the lid is attached to the top of the body. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the top perimeter includes a lip and the lid includes a lip that engages the top perimeter lip to secure the lid to the body. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a transition from the top perimeter through the outer wall portion and through the base and through the inner wall portion to the substantially horizontal flat portion forms a ring. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the ring has a semi-circular cross section. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a planar portion attached to an exterior bottom of the base. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the planar portion is an integrated portion of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body has one of a circular shape, an oval shape, and a rectangular shape having rounded corners. 
     
     
         10 . A frozen content container comprising:
 a ring that facilitates a scooping motion for frozen contents including:
 an outer wall portion having a top perimeter; 
 a center projection having an inner wall portion; and 
 a base providing a connection between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion, 
   wherein the ring transitions from the top perimeter through the outer wall portion, through the base and to a top of the center projection,   wherein a distance from a bottom portion of the base to the top perimeter is substantially the same as a distance from the bottom portion of the base to a top of the center projection, and wherein the ring includes a first flat portion disposed near a top portion of the outer wall portion and a second flat portion disposed near a top of the inner wall portion that is substantially parallel to the first flat portion.   
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  further comprising a lid that attaches to the top perimeter wherein an inside surface of the lid contacts the top of the center projection when the lid is attached to the top perimeter. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the top perimeter includes a lip and the lid includes a lip that engages the top perimeter lip to secure the lid to the top perimeter. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the ring has a semi-circular cross section. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 10  further comprising a planar portion attached to an exterior bottom of the base. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the planar portion is an integrated portion of the body. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the body has one of a circular shape, an oval shape, and a rectangular shape having rounded corners. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the center projection includes a substantially horizontal flat portion such that the substantially horizontal flat portion is substantially parallel to the lid when the lid is attached to the top perimeter. 
     
     
         19 . A method of scooping frozen contents from a container comprising:
 providing a container having a ring defined by a formation of an outer wall portion, a center projection, and a base that connects the outer wall portion and the center projection;   forcing the frozen contents outward from the center projection toward the outer wall portion;   moving a scoop around the ring of the container; and   forming a well-shaped scoop of the frozen contents in the scoop.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the outer wall portion, the center projection, and the base are an integrated unit.