US6604646B2 — Portable food container cover with detachable ute…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 246 words

A cover for a portable food container including a base and a side wall terminating in a lip opposite the base, the cover comprising: a cover body including: a face member forming a head opening and a handle opening, a skirt extending from an outer periphery of the face member, the skirt sized to selectively receive the lip, wherein the skirt extends downwardly from the face member such that the face member defines an upper most plane of the cover; a head piece disposed within the head opening, the head piece defining a leading section terminating at a leading end, a trailing section terminating at a trailing end and a periphery, the head opening being slightly larger than the head piece such that a gap exists between the periphery and the face member; a handle piece disposed within the handle opening, the handle piece defining a leading end and a trailing end; and a first plurality of spaced, breakable tabs extending across the gap to detachably secure the head piece to the face member, wherein the leading end and the trailing end of the head piece, respectively, are each directly connected to the face member by at least a respective one of the first plurality of spaced tabs, the breakable tabs positioned in an upper most plane of the cover body; wherein the head piece and the handle piece are configured for assembly to each other upon detachment from the face member to form a utensil.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 246 words

A cover for a portable food container including a base and a side wall terminating in a lip opposite the base, the cover comprising: a cover body including: a face member forming a head opening and a handle opening, a skirt extending from an outer periphery of the face member, the skirt sized to selectively receive the lip, wherein the skirt extends downwardly from the face member such that the face member defines an upper most plane of the cover; a head piece disposed within the head opening, the head piece defining a leading section terminating at a leading end, a trailing section terminating at a trailing end and a periphery, the head opening being slightly larger than the head piece such that a gap exists between the periphery and the face member; a handle piece disposed within the handle opening, the handle piece defining a leading end and a trailing end; and a first plurality of spaced, breakable tabs extending across the gap to detachably secure the head piece to the face member, wherein the leading end and the trailing end of the head piece, respectively, are each directly connected to the face member by at least a respective one of the first plurality of spaced tabs, the breakable tabs positioned in an upper most plane of the cover body; wherein the head piece and the handle piece are configured for assembly to each other upon detachment from the face member to form a utensil.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

The cover of claim 1 , wherein the head piece includes a bowl such that the utensil is a spoon.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 53 words

The cover of claim 1 , wherein the face member defines a top surface and a bottom surface, the cover further comprising: a plurality of support runners each extending between the bottom surface and the skirt for contacting the lip of the container, wherein the plurality of support runners are substantially uniformly spaced.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

The cover of claim 1 , wherein the cover is formed from injection molded plastic, the cover further comprising: a plurality of gate markings indicative of a plurality of plastic injection gates.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 59 words

The cover of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of gate markings comprises: a first gate marking in the face member indicative of a first plastic injection gate; a second gate marking in the head piece indicative of a second plastic injection gate; and a third gate marking in the handle piece indicative of a third plastic injection gate.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 46 words

The cover of claim 1 , wherein the skirt includes a first section connected to the face member, a second section and an outwardly extending ridge connecting the first section and the second section, the ridge being sized for stackably receiving a second, similarly constructed cover.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 69 words

The cover of claim 6 , wherein the face member, the head piece and the handle piece each define an upper surface and a lower surface, and further wherein the first and second plurality of tabs maintain the head piece and the handle piece relative to the face member such that the upper surfaces of the face member, the head piece and the handle piece, respectively, are substantially planar.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 67 words

The cover of claim 1 , wherein the handle piece further defines a periphery, the handle opening being slightly larger than the handle piece such that a handle gap exists between the periphery of the handle piece and the face member, the cover further comprising: a second plurality of spaced, breakable tabs extending across the handle gap to detachably secure the handle piece to the face member.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 39 words

The cover of claim 8 , wherein the leading end and the trailing end, respectively, of the handle piece are each connected to the face member by at least a respective one of the second plurality of spaced tabs.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 26 words

The cover of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the tabs detachably secure the trailing end of the head piece to the face member.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 175 words

A cover for a portable food container including a base and a side wall terminating in a lip opposite the base, the cover comprising: a cover body including: a face member, a skirt extending from an outer periphery of the face member, the skirt sized to selectively receive the lip; a head piece detachably secured to the face member by at least one tab; a handle piece detachably secured to the face member by at least one tab; wherein the head piece and the handle piece are configured for assembly to each other upon detachment from the cover body to form a utensil; a first gate marking in the face member indicative of a first plastic injection gate; a second gate marking in the head piece indicative of a second plastic injection gate; a third gate marking in the handle piece indicative of a third plastic injection gate; and a fourth gate marking in the face member indicative of a fourth plastic injection gate, the fourth gate marking being approximately opposite the first gate marking.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 175 words

A cover for a portable food container including a base and a side wall terminating in a lip opposite the base, the cover comprising: a cover body including: a face member, a skirt extending from an outer periphery of the face member, the skirt sized to selectively receive the lip; a head piece detachably secured to the face member by at least one tab; a handle piece detachably secured to the face member by at least one tab; wherein the head piece and the handle piece are configured for assembly to each other upon detachment from the cover body to form a utensil; a first gate marking in the face member indicative of a first plastic injection gate; a second gate marking in the head piece indicative of a second plastic injection gate; a third gate marking in the handle piece indicative of a third plastic injection gate; and a fourth gate marking in the face member indicative of a fourth plastic injection gate, the fourth gate marking being approximately opposite the first gate marking.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 20 words

The cover of claim 11 , wherein the head piece includes a bowl such that the utensil is a spoon.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 62 words

The cover of claim 11 , wherein the face member forms a head opening and a handle opening, and further wherein the head piece is disposed within the head opening and the handle piece is disposed within the handle opening, the cover further comprising: a plurality of breakable tabs detachably securing the head piece and the handle piece to the face member.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 46 words

The cover of claim 11 , wherein prior to detachment, the head piece and the handle piece are maintained relative to the face member such that the head piece and the handle piece do not project above the upper most plane defined by the face member.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 153 words

A cover for portable food container including a base and a side wall terminating in a lip opposite the base, the cover comprising: a cover body including: a planar face member, a skirt including a first section, a shoulder, and a second section, the first section extending downwardly from an outer periphery of the face member such that the face member defines an upper most plane of the cover, the shoulder extending radially outwardly from the first section, and the second section extending downwardly from the shoulder with that the second section defines an outer diameter greater than the first section and is sized to selectively receive the lip; a head piece detachably secured to the face member; and a handle piece detachably secured to the face member; wherein the head piece and the handle piece are configured for assembly to each other upon detachment from the cover body to form a utensil.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 153 words

A cover for portable food container including a base and a side wall terminating in a lip opposite the base, the cover comprising: a cover body including: a planar face member, a skirt including a first section, a shoulder, and a second section, the first section extending downwardly from an outer periphery of the face member such that the face member defines an upper most plane of the cover, the shoulder extending radially outwardly from the first section, and the second section extending downwardly from the shoulder with that the second section defines an outer diameter greater than the first section and is sized to selectively receive the lip; a head piece detachably secured to the face member; and a handle piece detachably secured to the face member; wherein the head piece and the handle piece are configured for assembly to each other upon detachment from the cover body to form a utensil.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 20 words

The cover of claim 15 , wherein the head piece includes a bowl such that the utensil is a spoon.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 32 words

The cover of claim 15 , wherein the cover is formed from injection molded plastic, the cover further comprising: a plurality of gate markings indicative of a plurality of plastic injection gates.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 59 words

The cover of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of gate markings comprises: a first gate marking in the face member indicative of a first plastic injection gate; a second gate marking in the head piece indicative of a second plastic injection gate; and a third gate marking in the handle piece indicative of a third plastic injection gate.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 62 words

The cover of claim 15 , wherein the face member forms a head opening and a handle opening, and further wherein the head piece is disposed within the head opening and the handle piece is disposed within the handle opening, the cover further comprising: a plurality of breakable tabs detachably securing the head piece and the handle piece to the face member.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 41 words

The cover of claim 15 , wherein a downward extension of the head piece and the handle piece relative to the planar face member is not greater than a downward extension of the first section relative to the planar face member.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 322 words

A cover for a portable food container including a base and a side wall terminating in a lip opposite the base, the cover comprising: a cover body including: a planar face member forming a head opening and a handle opening, a skirt including a first section, a shoulder, and a second section, the first section extending downwardly from an outer periphery of the face member such that the face member defines an upper most plane of the cover body, the shoulder extending radially outwardly from the first section, and the second section extending downwardly from the shoulder such that the second section defines an outer diameter greater than the first section and is sized to selectively receive the lip; a utensil including: a head piece disposed within the head opening, the head piece defining a leading section terminating at a leading end and a trailing section terminating at a trailing end, a handle piece disposed within the handle opening, the handle piece defining a leading end and a trailing end; a plurality of breakable tabs detachably securing the head piece and the handle piece to the face member, wherein the leading end and the trailing end of the head piece and the handle piece, respectively, are each directly connected to the face member by at least a respective one of the plurality of tabs; wherein the head piece and the handle piece are configured for assembly to each other upon detachment from the face member to form the utensil; a first gate marking in the face member indicative of a first plastic injection gate; a second gate marking in the head piece indicative of a second plastic injection gate; a third gate marking in the handle piece indicative of a third plastic injection gate; and a fourth gate marking in the face member indicative of a fourth plastic injection gate, the fourth gate marking being approximately opposite of the first gate marking.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 322 words

A cover for a portable food container including a base and a side wall terminating in a lip opposite the base, the cover comprising: a cover body including: a planar face member forming a head opening and a handle opening, a skirt including a first section, a shoulder, and a second section, the first section extending downwardly from an outer periphery of the face member such that the face member defines an upper most plane of the cover body, the shoulder extending radially outwardly from the first section, and the second section extending downwardly from the shoulder such that the second section defines an outer diameter greater than the first section and is sized to selectively receive the lip; a utensil including: a head piece disposed within the head opening, the head piece defining a leading section terminating at a leading end and a trailing section terminating at a trailing end, a handle piece disposed within the handle opening, the handle piece defining a leading end and a trailing end; a plurality of breakable tabs detachably securing the head piece and the handle piece to the face member, wherein the leading end and the trailing end of the head piece and the handle piece, respectively, are each directly connected to the face member by at least a respective one of the plurality of tabs; wherein the head piece and the handle piece are configured for assembly to each other upon detachment from the face member to form the utensil; a first gate marking in the face member indicative of a first plastic injection gate; a second gate marking in the head piece indicative of a second plastic injection gate; a third gate marking in the handle piece indicative of a third plastic injection gate; and a fourth gate marking in the face member indicative of a fourth plastic injection gate, the fourth gate marking being approximately opposite of the first gate marking.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2006-08-11	2007-02-10	2007-08-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2010-08-11	2011-02-10	2011-08-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2014-08-11	2015-02-10	2015-08-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Portable food container cover with detachable utensil

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