Food container and method and system for making and using the same

A method for using a container to store and present a set of one or more food items, the container comprising:

• a serving base defining one or more slots respectively for holding the food items;
• and
• a cover configured to cooperate with the serving base, wherein at least the serving base, or at least the cover, includes a thermal function piece, the thermal function piece including a phase-change material that has a phase change temperature ranging from −30 degrees Centigrade (C) to 130 degrees C., wherein at least the serving base, or at least the cover, includes an insulation structure, wherein the insulation structure includes:
• double walls defining a vacuum therebetween;
• and
• a vacuum support structure between the double walls,
• the method comprising:
• treating the phase-change material to an initial temperature;
• loading the food items in the serving base;
• and
• closing the serving base with the cover, wherein said treating includes:
• heating the serving base, the cover, or a combination thereof, such that the initial temperature is greater than the temperature of the food items to be loaded;
• cooling the serving base, the cover, or a combination thereof, such that the initial temperature is lower than the temperature of the food items to be loaded;
• or
• a combination thereof.

A method for using a container to store and present a set of one or more food items, the container comprising:

• a serving base defining one or more slots respectively for holding the food items;
• and
• a cover configured to cooperate with the serving base, wherein at least the serving base, or at least the cover, includes a thermal function piece, the thermal function piece including a phase-change material that has a phase change temperature ranging from −30 degrees Centigrade (C) to 130 degrees C., wherein at least the serving base, or at least the cover, includes an insulation structure, wherein the insulation structure includes:
• double walls defining a vacuum therebetween;
• and
• a vacuum support structure between the double walls;
• double walls defining a vacuum therebetween;
• and
• a vacuum support structure between the double walls,
• wherein at least the serving base, or at least the cover, is configured to remove moisture away from the food in the container,
• wherein at least the serving base, or at least the cover, includes a moisture controlling unit therein, and
• wherein:
• the serving base includes the moisture controlling unit and defines a rim region,
• the moisture controlling unit of the serving base being at least partially in the rim region of the serving base;
• the cover includes the moisture controlling unit and defines a rim region, the moisture controlling unit of the cover being at least partially in the rim region of the cover;
• or
• a combination thereof,
• the method comprising:
• treating the phase-change material to an initial temperature;
• loading the food items in the serving base;
• and
• closing the serving base with the cover.