US3442435A - Package for dispensing comestibles - Google Patents

Description

y 1969 R. E. LUDDER ET AL 3,442,435

PACKAGE FOR DISPENSING COMESTIBLES Sheet ors' Filed July 21, 1967 LUDDER INVEN'I'ORS RODNEY E. HENRY H. HUSTON ATTORNEY y 1969 R. E. LUDDER ET AL 3,442,435

PACKAGE FOR DISPENSING GOMESTIBLES Filed July 21, 1967 Sheet INVICNI'ORS. E. LUDDER HENRY H. HUSTON RODNEY May 6, 1969 R. E. LUDDER ET AL 3,442,435

PACKAGE FOR DISPENSING COMESTIBLES Filed July 21. 1967 Sheet 3 of :5

INVENIORS. RODNEY E.LUDDER HENRY H. HUSTON TTORNIQY United States Patent 3,442,435 PACKAGE FOR DISPENSING COMESTIBLES Rodney E. Ludder, 19 Hamilton Square, Glen Head, NY. 11545, and Henry H. Huston, Huntington, N.Y. (179 High St., St. Albans, Vt. 05478) Filed July 21, 1967, Ser. No. 655,097 Int. Cl. B65d 3/24, 81/22, 13/00 U.S. Cl. 229-15 29 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A package for dispensing comestibles comprising a receptacle for containing a first comestible and a condiment well secured to the peripheral lip of the receptacle for containing -a second comestible which comestibles are generally consumed by first partially immersing one within the other; and a lid that may be secured over the lip of the receptacle and which is removable without dislodging the condiment well generally contained within the receptacle. Venting means are provided through the lid to permit a flow of air to prevent condensation within the package. The condiment well is also designed and constructed of a configuration that permits nesting and stacking thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dispensing package and especially to a novel combination of a receptacle having a condiment well positioned therein and attached to the lip thereof to permit the dispensing of two or more comesti'blesone from within the container and the other from within the condiment well. The invention also contemplates the use of a lid that is removable without dislodging the condiment well and that is vented to the atmosphere to prevent a buildup of condensation within the package. The condiment well is of a design and construction that permits nesting and stacking thereof.

In the dispensing of comestibles, the need has existed for a simple package, preferably of the disposable type, wherein two or. more comestibles may be easily contained and dispensed. 'By way of example and not by way of limitation, there are various customary foods that generally are intermixed or dipped one within the other prior to consumption, such as clams that are dipped in a sauce, French fries and ketchup, potato chips and a dip, to list a few. Understandably, in the carry-out trade of dispensing comestibles to people, the general public has become accustomed to this intermixing of various foods, and there has been a lack of disposable packages capable of housing various combinations for the pleasure, ease and convenience of the individual taste of the consumer.

Heretofore, in dispensing of certain comestibles, it has been the general practice to pour indiscriminately a flavoring thereon, and this has the decided disadvantage of having the flavoring unevenly distributed over the comestibles with the upper portion absorbing most of it and the lower portion receiving a minimum amount. If a portion is shared by two people having different tastes, this further complicates the matter.

It has been suggested and is customary in certain establishments to serve the second comestible or flavoring in a separate cup, but this necessitates obtaining a place to seat the cup in order to immerse the first comestible therein either with the use of an implement, or by hand.

Further, in many instances, the purchaser of the comestible might not be the ultimate consumer, and it is important that the personal taste of the ultimate consumer be satisfied. In accordance with the present invention, there is no placing of an indiscrete amount of the second comestible over the first comestible for the ultimate consumer since it is possible to place within the 3,442,435 Patented May 6, 1969 condiment well the second comestible thereby permitting the ultimate consumer to consume the two comestibles in whatever proportions to each other he is desirous of doing. It should be pointed out further that, in many instances, these comestibles are dispensed in ballparks or in other surroundings in which there is a great desire and need to have on hand a large supply of the particular food being dispensed so that it might be quickly sold over-the-counter to the consumer. By way'of example, this can occur at half-time during a football game. With the present invention, it is possible for the vendor to prepackage the two comestibles without intermixing them and even, if necessary, maintaining them at an elevated temperature by inserting the package within a heat source. In this way, a large supply of the food to be sold can be prepackaged and easily and quickly dispensed to a large number of people yet permitting the specifi taste of each purchaser to be satisfied.

An important aspect of being able to prepackage the food in individual compartments is that; if these comestibles are intermixed for an extended length prior to being consumed, there is a tendency for one comestible to be saturated within the other to the point where it detracts from the taste thereof.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention isto replace the separate container and cup for the dispensing of two comestibles as explained above, with a receptacle and an associated condiment well contained therein, so that the user is relieved of performing the plurality of motions necessary when the comestibles are in separate non-associated containers. 7

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel package for dispensing two or more different comestibles in separate compartments therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a condiment well which is so configured that a plurality of such condiment wells can 'be stacked in telescopic relation without wedging together.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a compartmented package wherein at least two different comestibles may be served without becoming intermixed, and a closure is provided for at least one of said comestibles.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a compartmented package which embodies an easily insertable condiment well positioned within a receiving receptacle and which permits access to the receptacle for the removal therefrom of a first comestible which comestible is generally consumed by first applying the second comestible thereto, such as a sauce which is contained within the condiment well.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a package which embodies a receptacle for dispensing a first comestible, an easily insertable condiment well positioned within and secured to the receptacle lip for dispensing a second comestible and a closure lid engageable over said receptacle and condiment well, which may be removed to gain access to said comestibles without dislodging said condiment well.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a package for individually dispensing two comestibles and which is provided with a removable lid that, when secured in place, permits continuous venting to the atmosphere so as to prevent the condensation collecting on the comestibles.

Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a package which includes a condiment well contained within a receptacle and physically secured to the lip thereof in a manner which permits the placing of a lid on the lip of the receptacle and the removal of the lid 3 without dislodging the condiment well positioned on the receptacle lip.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a thin walled plastic condiment well having tapered walls of different angles yet being nestable in a manner to permit stacking thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aforesaid objects of the present invention, and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by providing a package capable of retaining two comestibles in separate compartments, in which one of the compartments consists essentially of a receptacle container which may be of the frusto-conical configuration having a peripheral lip at the open end thereof and which is assembled together with a second compartment in the form of a condiment well, preferably formed from plastic sheet, having securing means associated therewith for engagement with the container lip and which well is situated within the container. The receptacle and condiment well preferably being of a liquidproof construction so that each might contain a comestible of a liquid or solid type in which one is generally immersed within the other prior to consumption. The first comestible may be consumed or manipulated with an instrument such as a fork or by hand and is generally immersed within the second comestible contained within the condiment well.

We have found that it is desirable for the vending of certain comestibles, especially where these are not to be immediately consumed, to provide a lid that may be secured over the lip of the receptacle and the securing means of the condiment Well in a manner to permit the removal of the lid without dislodging the condiment Well from its seated position within the receptacle. Venting means are provided in the lid so as to permit air flow from within the container, to avoid the buildup of condensation within the container when dispensing comestibles at elevated temperatures. In the instances when a clear plastic lid is used, the prevention of condensation permits visual inspection of the contents. The lid is preferably of a domed configuration to permit the dispensing of heaping portions.

We have also found that, to make this package commercially practical, it is desirous that both the receptacle and condiment well be nestable within respective receptacles and condiment wells during shipment thereof to the place of assembly. In this respect the condiment well is of a nested configuration having novel nesting char acteristics for an item not having equally angularly tapered side walls. As a means of effecting the quick assembly of the condiment well and container, the condiment well is provided with securing means comprising a rim extending substantially horizontally from the first wall of the condiment well and having a downwardly vertically formed skirt provided with an inwardly directed rib to extend below the lip of the receptacle when the condiment well is in assembled relation to the receptacle. The upper end of the rib is spaced from the rim a distance that the rib is adapted to hold the condiment well in engagement with the receptacle. The distance between the innermost edge of the rib and the juncture of the condiment wall and rim is less than the width of the lip of the container so as to obtain a secure grip thereon when the condiment well is seated in place, the skirt being of a resilient nature so as to permit this engagement with the receptacle lip. The condiment well is so designed as to take advantage of the inner surface of the receptacle wall in that at least one wall thereof conforms thereto and abuts thereagainst when the condiment well is in its seated position.

Means are also provided to apply an individual closure to the condiment well which may be applied prior to the assembling with the receptacle. This permits the prepackaging of the second comestible for long periods of time in preparation of peak periods when the item is sold.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view, partly in section, of a package embodying our invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section view substantially along the line 2-2 in FIGURE 1, showing the position of the condiment well in relation to the receptacle;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section view substantially along the line 33 in FIGURE 1, showing the inter-relationship of lid, condiment well and receptacle;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of a condiment well in the form of a thin walled plastic container in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 5 is a top view of the condiment well illustrated in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a side view of the condiment well illustrated in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a pair of condiment wells identical to that in FIG- URE 4 shown in normal nesting position taken along line 7--7 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line 8-8 of FIGURE 5 but showing a modification thereto.

With specific reference to the form of the present invention illustrated in the drawings and referring particularly to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 thereof, a dispensing package is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 and includes a receptacle or container 15 in combination with a condiment well 25 detachably connected to and preferably positioned within the receptacle for dispensing a first comestible 11 from the receptacle and a second comestible 12 from the condiment well which are generally mixed or partially introduced one within the other prior to consumption thereof. For the dispensing of certain comestibles, a lid 55 may be used to enclose the condiment well 25 as hereinafter explained in detail.

The receptacle 15 is formed with a bottom 16 extending into a slightly tapered side wall 17 which comprises an upwardly and outwardly tapered portion having an inner surface 18 and preferably a frustro-conical shape extending upwardly from the bottom 16 to adjacent the upper open end 19 where it is provided with a lip 20. The lip 20 may take the form of a beaded edge, a rolled edge or merely a substantially horizontally outwardly extending circumferentially continuous annular flange, as desired. In the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, the side wall 17 diverges from the axis of the container at an angle of about 19 which is of substantially constant rate throughout the entire extent thereof.

The receptacle 15 may vary in size and shape, and although the preferred embodiment illustrated herein is of a frusto-conical configuration, the side wall 17 may be of a cylindrical non-tapered configuration or even rectangular. The tapered construction for the receptacle 15 facilitates the use of a nestable condiment well 25, the latter hereinafter explained in detail, wherein both receptacles and condiment well may be shipped in nested relation to like receptacles and condiment wells respectively. The receptacle may be constructed entirely from paper, plastic or any desired combination thereof.

The receptacle .15 contains the first comestible 11 which may vary in size or shape and may be either a solid or liquid as, for example, clams, shrimps. French fries, coffee, soup, tea, to name but a few that are consumed generally with a second comestible 12 which may be in the form of a flavoring, such as sauce, ketchup, lemon, sugar, etc., that in accordance with the present invention would be dispensed and contained within the condiment well 25. Accordingly, depending upon the physical relationship of the condiment well and container, the comestibles may be interchanged so that the first comestible is retained in the condiment well and the second comestible in the receptacle.

The condiment well 25, as seen in FIGURES 4 through 8, is preferably integrally formed of a one-piece construction from web stock thermoplastic material by any of several known sheet forming processes, such as, for example, pressure differential forming using either vacuum or positive pressure and with or without plug assist. The resultant condiment well 25 is unitary in construction and has no seams and is relatively thin walled having a side wall thickness in the order of .005 inch to .025 inch. This thickness is substantially uniform throughout the entire extent of the article.

Condiment well 25 is formed having a substantially flat bottom wall or base 26 and an integrally formed side wall terminating in an open top. The side wall includes a first wall 27 arcuately shape and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom having a surface contour which substantially conforms to the upwardly and outwardly flaring sidewall of the receptacle. In the preferred embodiment, the first wall is in conforming relationship to the frusto-conical configuration of the inner surface 18 of the receptacle side wall 17, as seen in FIGURES l and 3, so as to permit an engagement therebetween when the condiment well is in its seated position within the receptacle 15. This helps support the condiment well in its assembled relationship with the receptacle. A second wall 28 also extends upwardly and outwardly from the base 26 and said first wall 27 and second wall 28 are integrally joined together to form a liquid tight condiment well 25 having an open top 29 and an outwardly extending rim 30 integrally formed with the first wall 27. In the preferred illustrated embodiment, the rim 30 extends in a substantially horizontal plane and continues, thereby providing additional rigidity to the second side wall. The configuration of the second wall 28 may vary in accordance with the comestible 12 contained therein and the size and shape of the first comestible 11 contained within the receptable. Preferably the area of the open top 29 of the condiment well is substantially smaller than the area of the open top 18 of the receptacle so as to facilitate the removal of the first comestible 11 from within the receptacle 15 when the condiment well 25 is in assembled relation thereto.

As seen best in FIGURE 4, the second wall 28 in cludes a front panel 31 inclined upwardly and outwardly from the base 26, which in the illustrated embodiment is approximately to permit a proper nesting with another condiment well as illustrated in FIGURE 7, and hereinafter discussed in greater detail. The front panel 31 merges with upwardly and rearwardly tapered side panels 32 and 33 respectively, that merge with the first side wall 27 with a blending radius therebetween. The rim top wall 30 extends in a flat horizontally extending plane and is provided around the condiment well 25 to lend structural rigidity to the well and in particular adjacent the first wall 27 forms part of the securing means 35 which holds the condiment well in engagement with the receptacle .15.

The securing means 35 includes the substantially horizontal rim top wall 30 integrally formed with and extending outwardly from the first wall 27 and whose outer edge is integrally formed with a downwardly substantially vertically extending arcuately shaped skirt 36, spaced outwardly from the receptacle side wall 17.

The skirt 36 which is arcuately shaped to conform to the annular lip 19 includes a vertical wall 36a, as seen in FIGURE 7, extending between said rim 30 and an inwardly directed rib 37 integrally formed therewith. The rib 37 including an inwardly extending tapered portion 37a having a radial portion 38 which terminates in an outwardly extending flange 39 which forms the outer free extremity or marginal edge 39a of the skirt. The outwardly extending flange 39, as may be seen particularly in FIGURE 7, provides a lead-in to act in snapping the securing means 35 over the lip 20 by substantial radial flexing of the skirt. That is to say the tapered flange 39 facilitates ease in assembling the container 15 and condiment well 25 in accordance with the present invention and at the same time together with the rib 37 provides the necessary rigidity to the securing means 35.

An important feature of the condiment well is its ability to be detachably secured to the lip 20 of the receptacle 15 in a manner that provides for a positive relationship to exist to be assured that no inadvertent diassembly occurs when the package 10 is manipulated into various positions and more particularly when the first comestible 11 is removed from the receptacle and inserted within the second comestible 12 Within the condiment well 25 and then removed for consumption. During this movement pressure is often applied between the first comestible 11 and the condiment well 25 and for this reason it is most important that a secure interlocking engagement be obtained. Since the first comestible is held by hand, there is always the possibility of the users hand inadvertently engaging the rim 30 and jarring the entire well loose if a source engagement is not provided for. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment, the vertical spacing between the juncture 40 of the first wall 27 and the rim top wall 30 to the inner surface 41 of the vertical wall is a distance X which is greater than the distance between the inner face 42 of said radial portion 38 to the juncture 40 of first wall 27 and rim top wall 30 as defined by the dimension Y. Preferably the dimension X is substantially equal to or less than the width of the lip 20 and that the dimension Y is less than the width of said lip.

In assembled relation as seen in FIGURE 7, the inwardly directed circumferential rib 37 is adapted to extend below the lip 20 of the condiment well. The upper end of the rib being spaced from the rim 30 a distance approximately equal to the height of the lip 20 is indicated by the dimension W to assure a proper interlocking engagement with the receptacle 15.

The arcuately shaped first wall 27 conforms to the curvature of the side wall 17 and the latter bears against the inner wall 18 of the container when the securing means 35 is in engagement with beaded lip 20. Preferably, the resilient skirt 36 is arcuately shaped to conform to the lip 30 and has a circumferential length approximately equal to the length of the first wall 27.

Since in the preferred embodiment, the first wall 27 is arcuately shaped and tapers upwardly and outwardly at about a 19 angle with the base and the second wall 28 tapers upwardly and outwardly at a 10 angle with the base, the difference in slopes was considered in the design of the stacking arrangement of the condiment wells to provide the requisite stacking means.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a modification of the condiment well 25 in which closure supporting means 48 is provided to permit the use of a separate closure for the condiment well. This is important where it is desirable to prepackage large quantities of the comestible contained therein and particularly when it is a liquid or served at an elevated temperature. Besides a shrink-film closure which may be used and is contemplated herein, a fiat paperboard or plastic closure with a pull tab may also be employed. Accordingly, a lid seat 49 extending peripherally in a horizontal plane may be provided as seen in FIGURE 8.

To provide a commercially acceptable condiment well 25, it is most important that stacking means is provided to permit proper packaging of a plurality of condiment wells in stacked relation a predetermined distance apart without cracking during shipment and ease in disassembly thereafter. Adjacent the upper portion of the front panel 31, as seen in FIGURE 7, on the second side wall 28 and spaced downwardly a relatively short distance therefrom, there is provided an outwardly extending stacking lug 45 having a generally outwardly extending shoulder with a bottom surface or base 46 extending substantially in a horizontal plane and integrally formed with an upwardly and inwardly tapered portion 47 having an arcuate upper edge which blends with the rim 30.

The exact configuration just described of the shoulder 45 it is appreciated, may vary, but it is desirable that the base 46 extend along a horizontal plane which is substantially equal with or above the marginal edge 39a of the outer free extremity of the skirt 36. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the horizontal plane intersects the flange 39 so that the condiment wells in their nested position will be in a horizontal plane with the flange 39 acting to lend a certain resiliency to the stacked condiment wells when a vertical force is applied thereto, as in shipping.

As best seen in FIGURE 5, the condiment well further includes lateral restraining means 50 in the form of a plurality of shoulders 51, two being shown in the drawings, spaced apart and recessed inwardly by a depression on the first wall 27 and having an upwardly extending slightly tapered side wall 52 beginning at the approximate midpoint of the sloping first wall 27 angled slightly outward on the order of in the preferred embodiment, and terminating in an inwardly disposed substantially flat wall 53 with a curved junction 54 forming a surface therebetween. The shoulders 51 may be considered as extensions of the first wall and may be regarded as being formed by interruptions thereof.

When a plurality of condiment wells are nested in stacked condition, as illustrated in FIGURE 7, the bottom outside surface of the first wall 27 of one condiment well will register with the outwardly extending shoulder 51 at the junction 54 of the adjacent condiment therebelow, and thereby preventing any lateral shifting of the condiment wells with them becoming completely nested and stuck together. The vertical distance V, between respective rims 30 of two nested condiment wells, is called the vertical stacking height and is obtained by the relationship of the position of the stacking lug 45 to the rim 30 or upper edge of the second Wall 28 if no rim is provided.

It will be appreciated that the spacing between the side walls of the nested condiments is exaggerated in FIG- URE 7 and in the preferred embodiment herein illustrated will be in the order of .060 inch.

Although the package may generally consist of the receptable and condiment well 25, it is often desirable to provide a removable closure means in the form of a lid 55 to prevent the comestibles from spilling or, if served at an elevated temperature, to retain the heat therein. The lid in the preferred embodiment may be molded, such as by suction molding well known in the art, from a single piece of relatively thin plastic. By way of example, polysytrene plastic of a thickness of the order of .012 inch has been found satisfactory.

The lid includes a top 56 with a domed central portion 57 and an integrally formed annular seat 58 extending horizontally therefrom and terminating in an integrally formed downwardly extending band 59 which extends over the lip of the receptacle and securing means 35 of the condiment well 25.

The band 59 includes a peripheral wall 60 extending downwardly and as seen in FIGURE 3, merges with an outwardly extending ledge 61 at a junction 62 which is a point below the vertical wall 36a of the skirt 36 of the condiment well and having a diameter greater than the outwardly extending marginal edge 39a of the condiment well 25.

The lid is provided with venting means 65 constructed to form a series of interior open channels or passages by deforming the plastic sheet material outwardly. It will be seen that the open channels permit the venting of th package 10 to the atmosphere at all times and are of such size and number to furnish the required air to prevent the accumulation of condensation which normally settles on the comestibles and detracting from the flavor thereof. Thus, when the first comestible is served at an elevated temperature, venting means is provided in the form of a plurality of channels or passages to permit the flow of air between the interior and exterior of the package.

At substantially the juncture of the domed portion 57 and the seat 58 and extending to the band 60, the material is deformed to provide outwardly formed bead segments to form internal depressions defining permanently open channels 66 which constitute the venting means 65. The open channels 66 extend from beneath the receptacle lip 20 over the top seat 58 and into the domed portion 57 to overlay the receptacle lip along the top of the lid. It has been found that the channels spaced about 20 apart and of sufiicient size are satisfactory for providing continuous venting of the closed package to the atmosphere.

It will be appreciated that the design and configuration of the lid may vary, but the important feature is that venting means he provided. The domed lid is most advantageous since it permits the usage of space normally not accessible with a fiat top lid. This is important in the dispensing of a first comestible, such as French 'fries which do not have a regular shape easily packaged.

It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully, effectively accomplished.

What we claim is:

1. A package for dispensing a first and a second comestible, comprising (A) a receptacle for containing said first comestible, including a bottom with a tapered side wall extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom and terminating in an open top having a peripheral lip,

(B) a well for containing said second comestible removably interlocked and assembled with said receptacle, said well comprising a bottom with a side wall integrally formed therewith and terminating in an open top, said area of said open top of said well being smaller than the area of said open top of said receptacle such that access to said receptacle and said well is obtainable when in said assembled relationship to each other,

(C) an outwardly extending rim integrally formed with said side wall and a resilient skirt downwardly extending from the outer edge of said rim and terminating in an outer free extremity below the lip of said receptacle, so as to afford radial flexing thereof when said well is assembled with said receptacle, and

(D) inwardly directed means integrally formed with said skirt between said rim and outer free extremity extending below said peripheral lip and adapted to engage said peripheral lip and provide said interlocking relationship.

2. A package for dispensing a first and a second comestible, comprising (A) a receptacle for containing said first comestible,

including a bottom with a tapered side wall extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom and terminating in an open top having a peripheral lip,

(B) a well for containing said second comestible removably interlocked and assembled with said receptacle, said well comprising a bottom with a side wall integrally formed therewith and terminating in an open top, an outwardly extending rim integrally formed with said side Wall and a resilient skirt downwardly extending from the outer edge of said rim to engage said peripheral lip and provide said interlocking relationship,

(C) said side wall of the said well includes a first and second wall respectively, and said outwardly extending rim extends from said first wall, and

(D) said skirt is provided with an inwardly directed rib adapted to extend below the lip of said receptacle when the well is in said assembled relation there with, the upper end of said rib being spaced from said rim a distance substantially equal to the height of said lip of the receptacle, whereby said rib is adapted to retain said well in said interlocking relationship with the lip of said receptacle.

3. A package as in claim 2, wherein said first wall has a surface contour which substantially conforms to the curvature of said upwardly and outwardly tapered side wall of said receptacle and abuts thereagainst substantially throughout its entire outer surface to support said well in said assembled relationship with said receptacle.

4. A package as in claim 2, wherein said rib increases in depth from the end adjacent said rim and the vertical distance between the innermost edge of said rib and the juncture of said first wall and rim is less than the width of said lip, whereby a secure snap-on assembly of said well with said receptacle is obtainable.

5. A package as in claim 2, wherein said well is positioned within said receptacle and said lip extends out wardly from said receptacle.

6. A package as in claim 5, wherein the area of said open top of said well is substantially smaller than the area of said open top of said receptacle so as to facilitate the removal of the first comestible from within said receptacle.

7. A package as in claim 2, wherein said peripheral lip is annular in shape and said receptacle side wall is of a frusto-conical configuration.

8. A package as in claim 7, wherein said resilient skirt is arcuately shaped to conform to said annular peripheral lip of said receptacle and has a circumferential length approximately equal to the length of said first wall at the juncture with said rim.

9. A package as in claim 2, wherein said outwardly extending rim is in a substantially horizontal plane.

10. A package as in claim 2, further including closure means for said well.

11. A package for dispensing a first and a second comestible, comprising (A) a receptacle for containing said first comestible, including a bottom with a tapered side wall extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom and terminating in an annular shaped open top having an outwardly extending peripheral lip,

(B) a well positioned within said receptacle for containing said second comestible and removably interlocked in assembled relationship therewith, said Well comprising a bottom with a side wall including a first wall and a second wall integrally formed therewith and terminating in an open top having a crosssectional area less than the cross-sectional area of said receptacle top, said first wall having a surface contour which substantially conforms to the curvature of said upwardly and outwardly tapered side wall of said receptacle and abuts thereagainst substantially throughout its entire outer surface, and

(C) an outwardly extending rim integrally formed with said first wall and a resilient skirt downwardly extending from the outer edge of said rim, and arcuately shaped to conform to said annular peripheral lip, said skirt having an inwardly directed circumferential rib adapted to extend below the outwardly extending peripheral lip of the receptacle, the upper end of said rib being spaced from said rim a distance approximately equal to the height of the lip of the receptacle, whereby said rib is adapted to retain said well in said interlocking engagement with the lip of said receptacle.

12. A package for dispensing a first and a second comestible, comprising (A) a receptacle for containing said first comestible,

including a bottom with a tapered side wall extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom and terminating in an open top having a peripheral lip,

(B) a well positioned within said receptacle for containing said second comestible and removably interlocked in assembled relationship with said receptacle, said well comprising a bottom with a side wall integrally formed therewith and terminating in an open top, said area of said open top of said well being smaller than the area of said open top of said receptacle such that access to said receptacle and said well is obtainable when in said assembled relationship to each other,

(C) an outwardly extending rim integrally formed with said side wall and a resilient skirt downwardly extending from the outer edge of said rim and terminating in an outer free extremity below the lip of said receptacle, so as to afford radial flexing thereof when said well is assembled with said receptacle,

(D) inwardly directed means integrally formed with said skirt between said rim and outer free extremity extending below said peripheral lip and adapted to engage said peripheral lip to provide said interlocking relationship, and

(E) a snap-over lid to enclose the open ends of said receptacle and well respectively, the dimensional relationship between said lid, receptacle and well being such that said lid is removable without the dislodgment of said well from its interlocking relationship with said receptacle.

13. A package as in claim 12, further including venting means associated with said lid to permit the venting of the comestibles to the atmosphere.

14. A package as in claim 12, wherein said lid is provided with a centrally domed portion to permit the containment of a first comestible within said receptacle above the horizontal plane of said peripheral lip.

15. A package as in claim 12, wherein said lid includes a top having a centrally domed section and a peripheral band depending from the outer edge of said top, said peripheral band fitting closely over said lip and said skirt, and having a plurality of circumferentially extending outwardly formed bead segments to form internal depressions defining permanently open channels extending from beneath the receptacle lip over the top of the lid to overlay the receptacle lip along the top of the lid, the number and size of said channels providing continuous venting of the comestible at substantially atmospheric pressure to prevent condensation from forming therein.

.16. A plastic nestable well of integral one-piece construction adapted for use with a receptacle having a side wall terminating in an open top including a peripheral lip, said well comprising (A) a bottom wall,

(B) an integrally formed side wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall and terminating in an open top, said wall including a first wall tapering upwardly from said bottom wall in substantial conformity to the surface configuration of the receptacle side wall, and a second wall integrally formed with said first wall to substantially define the cross-sectional area of said open top, which area is less than the cross-sectional area defined by the open top of the receptacle, and

(C) a peripheral rirn integrally formed with and extending outwardly from said first wall and terminating in a resilient skirt downwardly extending from the outer edge of said rim and being spaced from said first wall throughout its entire circumferential extent and terminating in an outer free extremity, so as to afford substantial radial fiexing thereof with respect to said first wall when said well is removably interlocked with said receptacle lip.

17. A well as in claim 16, wherein said skirt includes an inwardly directed rib, the upper end of said rib being spaced from said rim a distance approximately equal to the height of said lip of the receptacle with which said well is interlocked, whereby said rib is adapted to retain said well in said interlocking engagement with said receptacle.

18. A well as in claim 16, wherein said skirt further includes a vertical wall extending between said rim and inwardly directed rib, and the bottom of said skirt has an outwardly tapered wall portion which terminates in said outer free extremity, the vertical spacing between the innermost edge of said rib and the juncture formed at said first wall and rim is not greater than the width of said lip.

19. A well as in claim 16, wherein said first wall and skirt are respectively arcuately shaped in an outwardly extending direction, so that said well is adapted to be positioned within said receptacle.

20. A well as in claim 16, wherein the circumferential length of said arcuate skirt is substantially equal to the circumferential length of said first wall at the juncture with said rim.

21. A well as in claim 16, wherein said rim extends circumferentially along said second wall.

22. A well as in claim 16, wherein said second wall includes a pair of oppositely spaced upwardly and rearwardly tapering side panels and an upwardly extending and outwardly tapering front panel therebetween.

23. A well as in claim 16, further including stacking means disposed adjacent said upper open end for spacing the upper open ends of a plurality of nested stacked wells a predetermined distance apart.

24. A well as in claim 23, wherein said stacking means includes a stacking lug provided in said second wall and having a generally outwardly extending shoulder with a bottom surface for engaging the upper end of said second wall of a lower nested well, said bottom surface defining a horizontal plane which is substantially equal with or above the marginal edge of said outer free extremity of said skirt, whereby the lower portion of said skirt is adapted to engage said rim of a lower nested well.

25. A well as in claim 23, further including lateral restraining means.

26. A well as in claim 25, wherein said lateral restraining means includes at least one shoulder provided in said first wall recessed inwardly by a depression providing an upwardly extending side wall and terminating in an inwardly disposed wall, the junction therebetween forming a surface for engaging said first wall of an upper nested well.

27. A well as in claim 16, further including closure supporting means within said well, whereby a separate closure may be applied thereto.

28. A plastic nestable well of integral one-piece construction adapted for assembly within a receptacle having a frusto-conical side wall terminating in an open top including an outwardly extending peripheral lip, said condiment well comprising (A) a bottom wall,

(B) an integrally formed side wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall and terminating in an open top, said wall including a first wall tapering upwardly from said bottom wall in substantial conformity to the frusto-conical surface configuration of the receptacle side wall, and a second wall integrally formed with said first wall, and

(C) a peripheral rim integrally formed with and extending outwardly from said first wall and terminating in a resilient skirt downwardly extending and in spaced relation to the outer surface of said first wall and terminating in an outer free extremity, said skirt having an inwardly directed rib, the upper end of said rib being spaced from said rim by a vertical wall of a horizontal height approximately equal to the height of said lip of the receptacle with which said well is to be used, the vertical spacing between the innermost edge of said rib and the juncture formed at said first wall and rim is not greater than the width of said lip, whereby said rib is adapted to retain said well in interlocking engagement with said receptacle lip.

29. A plastic nestable well as in claim 28, further including (A) stacking means disposed adjacent said upper open end for spacing the upper open ends of a plurality of nested stacked wells a predetermined distance apart, said stacking means having a stacking lug provided in said second wall with a generally outwardly extending shoulder with a bottom surface for engaging the upper end of said second wall of a lower nested well, said bottom surface defining a horizontal plane which is substantially equal with or above the marginal edge of said outer free extremity of said skirt, and

(B) lateral restraining means including at least one shoulder provided in said first wall recessed inwardly by a depression providing an upwardly extending side wall and terminating in an inwardly disposed wall, the junction therebetween forming a surface for engaging said first wall of an upper nested well.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,762,331 6/1930 Greist 22023.4 X 2,717,505 9/1955 Andersson 22023.83 X 2,740,575 4/1956 Fontaine 229l5 3,070,275 12/1962 Bostrom 220-l7 X 3,117,692 1/1964 Carpenter et al. 229-l5 X 3,241,706 3/1966 Monaco et a1 22017 3,349,941 10/1967 Wanderer 229-15 X 3,365,092 1/1968 Blessing 22017 X DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl.X.R.

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