Container with dual assembly configurations and related methods

Abstract

A dual configuration container and method of connecting a base to a lid includes a base and a dual securement. The base includes a bottom having a first bottom side and a second bottom side, a peripheral frame, a sidewall extending from the peripheral frame, a first base chamber on the first bottom side, and a second base chamber on the second bottom side. The dual securement is configured to releasably connect a lid to the base in a first configuration such that the lid covers the first bottom side of the bottom to define a first inner storage space. The dual securement is further configured to releasably connect the lid to the base in a second configuration such that the lid covers the second bottom side of the bottom to define a second inner storage space.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A container, comprising:
 (a) a base, including:
 (i) a bottom having a first bottom side and a second bottom side, wherein the first bottom side faces a first direction and the second bottom side faces a second direction opposite the first direction, 
 (ii) a peripheral frame horizontally surrounding at least a portion of the bottom, 
 (iii) a sidewall extending from the peripheral frame in the first direction and the second direction, 
 (iv) a first base chamber on the first bottom side at least partially defined by the sidewall and the first bottom side of the bottom, and 
 (v) a second base chamber on the second bottom side at least partially defined by the sidewall and the second bottom side of the bottom; and 
   (b) a dual securement including a base securement portion positioned on the base, wherein the base securement portion is configured to releasably connect a lid to the base in a first configuration such that the lid covers the first bottom side of the bottom, and wherein the base securement portion is further configured to releasably connect the lid to the base in a second configuration such that the lid covers the second bottom side of the bottom.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid, wherein the dual securement includes a lid securement portion configured to releasably connect to the base securement portion. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the base securement portion is on the peripheral frame, wherein the base securement portion is configured to releasably connect the lid to the peripheral frame such that the lid covers the first bottom side of the bottom to define a first inner storage space, and wherein the base securement portion is further configured to releasably connect the lid to the peripheral frame such that the lid covers the second bottom side of the bottom to define a second inner storage space. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the lid defines a lid chamber, wherein the first bottom side is received within the lid chamber with the lid releasably connected against the peripheral frame defining the first inner storage space, and wherein the second bottom side is received within the lid chamber with the lid releasably connected against the peripheral frame defining the second inner storage space. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 2 , where the lid is configured to cover a selected one of the first bottom side and the second bottom side. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the base securement portion includes a detent lip, wherein the lid securement portion includes a detent catch, and wherein the detent catch is configured to releasably connect to the detent lip. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid further includes a plurality of lid vents extending therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral frame includes a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface, wherein the first and second sealing surfaces respectively face the first and second directions, and wherein each of the first and second sealing surfaces are configured to engage a lower sealing surface of the lid. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the first sealing surface is positioned horizontally outward relative to the second sealing surface. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the peripheral frame includes a plurality of base vents vertically extending therethrough, wherein the plurality of base vents is positioned horizontally inward of the first sealing surface. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of base vents is positioned vertically offset from the second sealing surface such that the plurality of base vents are in a different plane than the second sealing surface. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral frame includes a plurality of base vents vertically extending therethrough. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first bottom side of the bottom defines at least one first ridge, wherein the second bottom side of the bottom defines at least one second ridge. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first bottom side at least partially defines a plurality of first pockets respectively configured to support food therein. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the second bottom side at least partially defines a plurality of second pockets respectively configured to support food therein. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of first pockets is V-shaped, and wherein each of the plurality of second pockets is V-shaped. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of first pockets is V-shaped. 
     
     
         18 . A container, comprising:
 (a) a base, including:
 (i) a bottom having a first bottom side and a second bottom side, wherein the first bottom side faces a first direction and the second bottom side faces a second direction opposite the first direction, 
 (ii) at least one first pocket at least partially defined by the first bottom side, and 
 (iii) at least one second pocket at least partially defined by the second bottom side; and 
   (b) a lid defining a lid chamber, wherein the lid is configured to selectively releasably connect to the first bottom side in a first configuration such that the at least one first pocket and the lid chamber define a first inner storage space, and wherein the lid is configured to selectively releasably connect to the second bottom side in a second configuration such that the at least one second pocket and the lid chamber define a second inner storage space.   
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18 , further comprising a dual securement including a base securement portion positioned on the base and a lid securement portion positioned on the lid, wherein the base securement portion includes a detent lip, and wherein the lid securement portion includes a detent catch, and wherein the detent catch is configured to releasably connect to the detent lip. 
     
     
         20 . A method of storing a food within a container, the container including (a) a base, including: (i) a bottom having a first bottom side and a second bottom side, wherein the first bottom side faces a first direction and the second bottom side faces a second direction opposite the first direction, (ii) a peripheral frame horizontally surrounding at least a portion of the bottom, (iii) a sidewall extending from the peripheral frame in the first direction and the second direction, (iv) a first base chamber on the first bottom side at least partially defined by the sidewall and the first bottom side of the bottom, and (v) a second base chamber on the second bottom side at least partially defined by the sidewall and the second bottom side of the bottom; (b) a lid; and (c) a dual securement including a base securement portion positioned on the base, wherein the base securement portion is configured to releasably connect the lid to the base in a first configuration such that the lid covers the first bottom side of the bottom to define a first inner storage space, and wherein the base securement portion is further configured to releasably connect the lid to the base in a second configuration such that the lid covers the second bottom side of the bottom to define a second inner storage space, the method comprising:
 (a) selecting one of the first bottom side or the second bottom side to releasably connect the lid; and 
 (b) releasably connecting the lid to the selected one of the first bottom side or the second bottom side.