Lid for food jar

Abstract

A lid for a food jar is described that may be used to store and transport food items. The lid includes a storage compartment. A sliding door extends from the lid to open or reveal the compartment, and the sliding door retracts to the lid to cover or conceal the compartment. The lid functions with a variety of containers including insulated or uninsulated structures to store the food items, possibly at warmed or chilled temperatures for later consumption.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lid for a food jar, comprising:
 a compartment, the compartment configured to hold an eating utensil, a food product, or a combination thereof;   a sliding door;   the sliding door configured to slidably engage to the lid; and   the sliding door configured to extend from and retract to the lid.   
     
     
         2 . The lid for a food jar according to  claim 1 , wherein the sliding door includes a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, and the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge slidably engage to the compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The lid for a food jar according to  claim 1 , wherein the compartment includes a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall, the first lateral wall is generally opposite of the second lateral wall, and the compartment is generally between the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall. 
     
     
         4 . The lid for a food jar according to  claim 1 , wherein the compartment is formed in an upper surface of the lid. 
     
     
         5 . The lid for a food jar according to  claim 1 , wherein the sliding door extends from the lid to open or reveal the compartment, and the sliding door retracts to the lid to cover or conceal the compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The lid for a food jar according to  claim 5 , wherein the sliding door extends and retracts in a direction generally perpendicular to a central vertical axis of the lid. 
     
     
         7 . The lid for a food jar according to  claim 1 , wherein the sliding door is generally flush with an upper surface of the lid, and a front edge of the sliding door forms a portion of an outer circumference of the lid. 
     
     
         8 . The lid for a food jar according to  claim 1 , wherein the sliding door is configured to be maintained or is biased to remain in a retracted position. 
     
     
         9 . The lid for a food jar according to  claim 1 , wherein the sliding door includes a protruding member, the protruding member is configured slide under an extending rim of the compartment to provide a slidable engagement between the sliding door and the lid. 
     
     
         10 . The lid for a food jar according to  claim 1 , wherein the sliding door includes a first protruding member and a second protruding member, the first protruding member and the second protruding member extend outward from the sliding door on opposite lateral sides of the sliding door, the first protruding member is configured slide under a first extending rim of the compartment, and the second protruding member is configured to slide under a second extending rim of the compartment to provide a slidable engagement between the sliding door and the lid. 
     
     
         11 . The lid for a food jar according to  claim 1 , wherein a first lateral edge of the sliding door includes a first protruding member, and a second lateral edge of the sliding door includes a second protruding member, the first protruding member and the second protruding member extend outward from the sliding door, wherein the first protruding member is configured to slide under a first extending rim and a second extending rim of a first wall of the compartment, while the second protruding member is configured to slide under a first extending rim and a second extending rim of a second wall of the compartment to provide a slidable engagement between the sliding door and the lid. 
     
     
         12 . The lid for a food jar according to  claim 1 , wherein a lower surface of the compartment includes one or more protrusions, the one or more protrusions extend upwardly from the lower surface, wherein a bottom surface of the sliding door includes one or more fins, the one or more fins project downwardly from the bottom surface of the sliding door, and the one or more fins are configured to engage the one or more protrusions to bias the sliding door to a closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The lid for a food jar according to  claim 1 , wherein a lower surface of the compartment includes one or more protrusions, the one or more protrusions extend upwardly from the lower surface, wherein a bottom surface of the sliding door includes one or more fins, the one or more fins project downwardly from the bottom surface of the sliding door, and the one or more fins are configured to engage the one or more protrusions to stop a sliding movement of the sliding door beyond a fully extended position. 
     
     
         14 . The lid for a food jar according to  claim 1 , wherein a lower surface of the compartment includes one or more protrusions, wherein a bottom surface of the sliding door includes one or more fins proximate a front edge of the sliding door, wherein the one or more fins proximate the front edge of the sliding door are configured to engage the one or more protrusions to bias the sliding door to remain in a closed position, wherein the bottom surface further includes one or more fins proximate a rear edge of the sliding door, and the one or more fins proximate the rear edge of the sliding door are configured to engage the one or more protrusions to stop a sliding movement of the sliding door beyond a fully extended position. 
     
     
         15 . The lid for a food jar according to  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the sliding door includes a detent or a depression. 
     
     
         16 . A food jar comprising the lid according to  claim 1 , the food jar further comprising a container and a stopper, wherein the container defines an interior to store a food product, the container having an opening, and the stopper configured to close the opening of the container. 
     
     
         17 . A lid for a food jar, comprising:
 a compartment, the compartment configured to hold an eating utensil, a food product, or a combination thereof;   the compartment is formed in an upper surface of the lid;   a sliding door, and the sliding door configured to slidably engage to the lid;   wherein the compartment includes a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall, the first lateral wall is generally opposite of the second lateral wall, and the compartment is generally between the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall;   the sliding door includes a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, and the first lateral edge slidably engages to the first lateral wall, and the second lateral edge slidably engages to the second lateral wall; and   the sliding door extends from the lid to open or reveal the compartment, and the sliding door retracts to the lid to cover or conceal the compartment.   
     
     
         18 . A food jar, comprising:
 a lid for a food jar, comprising:
 a compartment; 
 a sliding door; 
 the sliding door configured to slidably engage to the lid; and 
 the sliding door configured to extend from and retract to the lid; 
   a stopper;   a container comprising an opening and an interior configured to store a food item or beverage;   the stopper configured to close the opening; and   a lower opening of the lid configured to fit over a portion of the stopper or the container.   
     
     
         19 . The food jar according to  claim 18 , wherein the container is configured to hold the food item or beverage, and the compartment is configured to hold a second food item or utensil. 
     
     
         20 . The food jar according to  claim 18 , wherein a utensil is held in the compartment.