Container for food items

Abstract

A container for a food item is disclosed that includes a body and a cap that is configured for removable connection to the body to allow for opening and closure of the container. The body includes an exterior wall and is configured in correspondence with the non-liquid food item such that the configuration of the body substantially approximates that of the non-liquid food item. The body defines a storage compartment that is configured to store the non-liquid food item as well as a chamber that is enclosed within the exterior wall. The chamber is configured to accommodate a thermal medium to hinder (inhibit) temperature variation of the non-liquid food item.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container for a non-liquid food item, the container comprising:
 a body including an exterior wall and being configured in correspondence with the non-liquid food item such that the configuration of the body substantially approximates that of the non-liquid food item, the body defining a storage compartment configured to store the non-liquid food item and a chamber enclosed within the exterior wall, the chamber configured to accommodate a thermal medium to hinder temperature variation of the non-liquid food item; and   a cap configured for removable connection to the body to allow for opening and closure of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes an upper end and a lower end opposite to the upper end, the body defining an overall length extending between the upper end and the lower end. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the chamber spans the overall length of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the overall length of the body lies substantially within a range of approximately 4″ to approximately 7″. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the body defines an overall transverse dimension extending in generally orthogonal relation to the overall length that lies substantially within a range of approximately 1″ to approximately 3″. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the cap defines a cavity configured to receive the upper end of the body. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the upper end of the body defines a shoulder configured to support the cap such that an outer surface of the cap is generally flush with an outer surface of the body when the container is closed. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the cap is captive to the body. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , further including a tether extending between the cap and the body. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the cap includes a tactile member configured for manual engagement by a user to facilitate opening and closure of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior wall of the body defines an aperture configured to facilitate filling of the chamber with the thermal medium. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the container further includes a plug configured for removable insertion into the aperture to inhibit escape of the thermal medium from the chamber. 
     
     
         13 . A container for a food item, the container comprising:
 a first body portion including a first exterior wall and defining a first chamber configured to accommodate a thermal medium, wherein the first chamber is enclosed within the first exterior wall; and   a second body portion releasably connectable to the first body portion, the second body portion including a second exterior wall and defining a second chamber configured to accommodate a thermal medium, wherein the second chamber is enclosed within the second exterior wall, the first body portion and the second body portion collectively defining a storage compartment for the food item upon closure of the container.   
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , further including a coupling mechanism configured to facilitate removable connection of the first body portion and the second body portion. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the container defines an overall length that lies substantially within a range of approximately 4″ to approximately 7″ and an overall transverse dimension extending in generally orthogonal relation to the overall length that lies substantially within a range of approximately 1″ to approximately 3″. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the first exterior wall of the first body portion defines a first aperture configured to facilitate filling of the first chamber with the thermal medium and the second exterior wall of the second body portion defines a second aperture configured to facilitate filling of the second chamber with the thermal medium. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the first body portion further includes a first plug configured for removable insertion into the first aperture to inhibit escape of the thermal medium from the first chamber and the second body portion further includes a second plug configured for removable insertion into the second aperture to inhibit escape of the thermal medium from the second chamber. 
     
     
         18 . A method of hindering temperature variation of a food item, the method comprising:
 inserting the food item into a container including a body with an exterior wall defining an enclosed chamber spanning an overall length of the body and configured to accommodate a thermal medium, wherein the body is configured such that the overall length lies substantially within a range of approximately 4″ to approximately 7″ and such that an overall transverse dimension of the body extending in generally orthogonal relation to the overall length lies substantially within a range of approximately 1″ to approximately 3″; and   closing the container.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein closing the container includes using a coupling mechanism to connect a first body portion defining a first enclosed chamber accommodating the thermal medium to a second body portion defining a second enclosed chamber accommodating the thermal medium. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein closing the container includes securing a captive cap of the container to the body.