TRAY AND REMOVABLE EJECTION CONTAINER ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A tray and removable ejection container assembly that includes a portable tray with a plurality of apertures each with a surrounding tray threading and a plurality of hand-held containers. The containers each have an enclosed sidewall defining a container cavity and a container length separating a distal end and proximal end thereof, a proximal opening defined by the proximal end, a container diameter spanning an insertion length greater than 50% of the container length, and an outer surface with a surrounding container threading. The assembly also includes a first position along a container-tray coupling path with the insertion length of each of the plurality of hand-held containers inserted, respectively, within one of the apertures defined by the tray and removably coupled to the tray, through an engagement with the surrounding container threading and the surrounding tray threading, and a second position with one of the containers uncoupled to the tray.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a tray with a plurality of containers disposed therein, and, more particularly, a tray containing removably couplable containers operably configured to eject substances housed within.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Whether prepping for meals for use during an upcoming week, making too much food for one meal, or in conjunction with making a frozen food, such as an ice pop, people often must store foods and liquids in a refrigerator or a freezer. To eliminate the environmental waste of disposable containers, reusable containers, usually made of a polymer or glass, became popular. These reusable containers, however, are often individual storage containers that are bulky and do not easily fit within a refrigerator or freezer. As a result, these reusable containers often take up too much space to be efficiently housed within a refrigerator or freezer, and cannot be easily transferred between locations.

[0003] In an attempt to solve these problems, trays and other containers that house smaller, individual storage containers, were introduced. In the currently available trays, the individual storage containers sit within cavities in the larger tray. These trays, however, fail to provide a secure way to house the individual storage containers, since the individual containers simply sit within the cavities in the tray. Said another way, these known assemblies are prone to generating spillage of the food or other contents disposed within the individual containers.

[0004] Whether housed within a tray or in an individual orientation, currently available storage containers are also limited by the materials by which they are manufactured. Specifically, storage containers of polymer or glass pose problems for a user attempting to retrieve a frozen food or liquid from within the containers because of the chemical and/or mechanical adherence of the food or liquid to the inner surface substrate of the container. As such, the user must either wait for the food or liquid to thaw in order to obtain the contents of the containers, or must struggle to manually remove the food or liquid from the containers using, for example, knives and/or other utensils or devices, which may pose a safety risk. These practices are time-consuming and inefficient, and can even be dangerous to the user.

[0005] There are also known container-tray assemblies, similar to the disclosure in U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2016/0054049 (Harvie), wherein individual containers are disposed within a plurality of apertures. These containers, however, are also not fastened or retained to the tray and do not provide a user the ability to effectively and efficiently remove the contents therein after frozen. Rather, these containers involve a two-shell container assembly, wherein the inner shell is of a rigid material such as plastic and an outer shell, or sheath, is removably coupled thereto to minimize heat transfer to or from the user's hands.

[0006] Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention provides a tray with removable ejection containers operably configured to provide users with easy and effective storage capability, in addition to providing users efficient, safe, and effective capability to remove (or "eject") any food or liquid substances housed within.

[0008] With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a tray and removable ejection container assembly having a portable tray defining a plurality of apertures each with a surrounding tray threading and a plurality of hand-held containers. Each of the container may have an enclosed sidewall defining a container cavity, a distal end, a proximal end opposing the distal end, and a container length separating the distal end and proximal end. The containers may also have a proximal opening defined by the proximal end, wherein the proximal opening is spatially coupled to the container cavity. Additionally, the container may have a container diameter spanning an insertion length greater than 50% of the container length, an outer surface with a surrounding container threading, a first position along a container-tray coupling path, and a second position along the container-tray coupling path. The first position may have the insertion length of each of the plurality of hand-held containers inserted, respectively, within one of the plurality of apertures defined by the portable tray and removably coupled to the tray, through an engagement with the surrounding container threading and the surrounding tray threading and the second position may have at least one of the plurality of hand-held containers uncoupled to the portable tray.

[0009] In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a container top operably configured to cover the proximal opening and encapsulate the container cavity.

[0010] In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes a container insertion axis defined by the container-tray coupling path and includes a tray-container placement plane defined by the distal ends of the plurality of hand-held containers when in the first position along a container-tray coupling path, wherein the container insertion axis is disposed at a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the tray-container placement plane.

[0011] In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the plurality of hand-held containers each having an outer shell defining an outer shell cavity, at least one channel spatially coupled to the outer shell cavity, and the outer surface having the surrounding container threading, wherein the outer shell is of a rigid material. The containers may also have an inner shell disposed within the outer shell cavity, removably coupled to the outer shell, and defining the enclosed sidewall, wherein the inner shell is of a flexible material and accessible from an ambient environment through the at least one channel.

[0012] In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the at least one channel includes a first channel and a second channel, both spatially coupled to the outer shell cavity, wherein the first and second channels of the outer shell are disposed in an opposing configuration with one another.

[0013] In accordance with yet another further feature of the present invention, the first and second channels of the outer shell each have an inward channel segment spanning inwardly from the outer surface of the outer shell into the bottom inner surface of the outer shell and an upward channel segment spanning upwardly from the bottom inner surface of the outer shell toward the proximal end of each of the respective plurality of hand-held containers.

[0014] In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, the inward channel segment and the outer channel segment each include a channel width equal in length to one another, the channel width of a length of approximately 0.5-1.5 inches.

[0015] In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, the plurality of hand-held containers each also include an outer shell defining an outer shell cavity, at least one channel spatially coupled to the outer shell cavity and spanning from the distal end of each of the respective plurality of hand-held containers, and with the outer surface with the surrounding container threading, wherein the outer shell is of a rigid material, and with the containers having an inner shell disposed within the outer shell cavity, removably coupled to the outer shell, and defining the enclosed sidewall, wherein the inner shell is of a flexible and deformable material and is accessible from an ambient environment through the at least one channel.

[0016] In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the inner shell further includes a lower terminal end disposed in an adjacent configuration with a bottom inner surface of the outer shell.

[0017] In accordance with yet another further feature of the present invention, the at least one channel includes a first channel and a second channel, both spatially coupled to the outer shell cavity, wherein the first and second channels of the outer shell are disposed in an opposing configuration with one another.

[0018] In accordance with a further characteristic of the present invention, the inner shell includes a static state along an inner shell compression path with the inner shell contouring an inner surface of the outer shell and the inner shell defining the container cavity with a static volume and a dynamic state along the inner shell compression path with inner shell deformed and defining the container cavity with a dynamic volume, the dynamic volume less than the static volume.

[0019] Also in accordance with the present invention, a tray and removable ejection container assembly is disclosed that includes a portable tray defining a plurality of apertures and a plurality of hand-held containers, wherein each of the containers have an outer shell of a rigid material and with an outer surface, an inner surface, a proximal end, a distal end, and a container diameter spanning an insertion length greater than 50% of a container length separating the proximal and distal ends of the outer shell, wherein the outer shell defines an outer shell cavity and at least one channel spatially coupled to the outer shell cavity and spanning from the distal end of the outer shell toward the proximal end of the outer shell. The containers may also each have an inner shell coupled to the outer shell, wherein the inner shell includes a bottom inner surface and an enclosed sidewall defining, with the bottom inner surface of the inner shell, a container cavity spatially coupled to a proximal opening defined by a proximal end of the inner shell. The inner shell is also disposed within the outer shell cavity, is of a flexible and deformable material, and is accessible from an ambient environment through the at least one channel defined by the outer shell. The containers may also have a first position along a container-tray coupling path with the insertion length of each of the plurality of hand-held containers inserted, respectively, within one of the plurality of apertures defined by the portable tray and removably coupled to the tray and a second position along the container-tray coupling path with at least one of the plurality of hand-held containers uncoupled to the portable tray.

[0020] In accordance with a further characteristic of the present invention, the inward channel segment terminates into an arcuate shape.

[0021] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied as a tray with removable ejection containers and method of use, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

[0022] Some detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0023] Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms "a" or "an," as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term "plurality," as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term "another," as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms "including" and/or "having," as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term "providing" is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time.

[0024] As used herein, the terms "about" or "approximately" apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term "longitudinal" should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the top surface of the pod to the bottom surface of the pod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective downward-looking view of a tray with removably couplable containers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the tray-container assembly of FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the tray-container assembly of FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 4 is an elevational front view of the tray-container assembly of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective downward-looking view of the tray-container assembly of FIG. 1 with a container removed therefrom;

[0031] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the tray-container assembly of FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the tray-container assembly of FIG. 3 along section line 3-3 shown in FIG. 3;

[0033] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the tray-container assembly of FIG. 3 along section line 3-3 shown in FIG. 3, with liquid contents disclosed within one of the containers; and

[0034] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a container, in a dynamic state along a container compression path, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present invention provides a novel and efficient tray with removably couplable containers operably configured to provide users with easy and effective storage capability. Additionally, the removable containers provide users efficient, safe, and effective capability to eject any food or liquid substances housed within said containers after said contents are frozen.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a perspective downward-looking view. FIG. 1 shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. Specifically, a tray-container assembly 100 is shown having a portable tray 102 defining a plurality of apertures 500a-n (shown best in FIG. 5), wherein "a" is the numeral 1 and "n" is any numeral greater than 1. The assembly 100 also includes a plurality of hand-held containers 104a-n that may be shaped and sized to receive food and/or liquid contents. The tray 102 and/or containers 104a-n may be portable and/or hand-held in that they may be also shaped and sized for a user to grasp, transport, and/or move with his or her hand. Beneficially, the containers 104a-n are operably configured to couple with the tray 102 so that they are retained, at least in the vertical direction with respect to a ground surface, and inhibited from spilling the contents therein. In one embodiment, the containers 104a-n may be coupled, or engaged, to the tray 102 using a threading configuration between the containers 104a-n and tray 102, as more fully described below.

[0037] Additionally, the containers 104a-n are also advantageously composed of an outer shell 106 and inner shell 108 that may be removably coupled to one another using, for example, fasteners and/or friction-fitting. In other embodiments, the outer and inner shells 106,108 are permanently joined together using, for example, adhesives. The outer shell 106 may be of a substantially rigid (also referred to herein as "rigid") material, such as PVC having a hardness of approximately 55 shore D. In other embodiments, the hardness may range from approximately 45-75 shore D. The inner shell 108 may be of a flexible and/or deformable material such as natural rubber or polyurethane, having a hardness of approximately 50 Shore A. In other embodiments, the hardness of the inner shell 108 may range from approximately 30-70 Shore A. As those of skill in the art will appreciate, however, other harnesses and materials, can be used utilized consistent with the scope and intent of the present invention described herein. Similar to the outer shell 106, the tray 102 may also be of a substantially rigid material.

[0038] With references now to FIGS. 2-4, the tray 102 may have a length 300 of approximately 10-14 inches and a width 400 of approximately 4-8 inches. The thickness of the tray 102 may be approximately 1-3 inches, while the overall height 200 of the tray-container assembly 100 will be principally dictated by the height of the containers 104a-n, but may range from approximately 5-7 inches. Each individual container 104a-n may have various shapes and sizes. In one embodiment, however, the containers 104a-n are generally cylindrical and have a diameter of approximately 2-3 inches. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4-5, the container diameter 402 may span an insertion length, e.g., length 202, which is typically at least 50% of the overall container length 200. The diameter 402 is of a length such the containers 104a-n are operable to be inserted within the apertures 500a-n defined by the tray 102. Said another way, the containers 104a-n are removably couplable to the tray 102 such that, in one embodiment, they have a first position along a container-tray coupling path (e.g., involving movement of the containers 104a-n in a vertical direction within one or more apertures 500a-n and twisting of the containers 104a-n), wherein the insertion length 202 of each of the plurality of hand-held containers 104 is inserted, respectively, within one of the plurality of apertures 500a-n defined by the portable tray 102. The diameter 502 of the apertures 500a-n may be sized and shaped to permit insertion of the one or more containers 104a-n. For example, if a container has a height of 6 inches, the container would be sized and shaped such that at least 3 inches of the container, at a diameter of 2 inches, could be inserted within the tray aperture 500a-n, having a diameter of 3 inches. This provides stability of the assembly 100, as the center of mass is more centralized. As those of skill in the art will appreciate, other dimensions can be used utilized consistent with the scope and intent of the present invention described herein. This first position can be seen exemplified by five of the containers 104a-n depicted in FIG. 5. The container-tray coupling path also includes a second position (again exemplified in FIG. 5) with at least one of the plurality of hand-held containers 104a-n uncoupled to the portable tray 102.

[0039] Another feature of the present invention includes the distal ends 204a-n of the plurality of containers 104a-n, when in the first position, being configured with respect to the tray 102, to be co-planar (as best seen in FIG. 2) with respect to one another. As such, the assembly 100, and the contents therein, can stay relatively flat when placed on a ground surface, e.g., a freezer tray.

[0040] With reference to FIGS. 5-7, to enable a secure attachment or engagement of the containers 104a-n to the tray 102, the outer surface 600 of the containers 104a-n include a surrounding tray threading 602 and the and the tray 102 includes a surrounding tray threading 504 shaped and sized to engage with the surrounding tray threading 504. The amount and location of threading disposed on the respective tray 102 and outer shell 104 should be determined based on the position where the tray 102 and the distal ends 204a-n of the containers 104a-n are desired to be located. Moreover, although the threading is depicted facing outwardly on the outer surface 600 of the containers 104a-n and facing inwardly on the inner surface of the tray 102, the tray 102 may also include outwardly facing threads surrounding the apertures 500a-n and the outer surface of the containers 104a-n may include inwardly facing threads surrounding the containers 104a-n. Additionally, the threading may be discontinuous, while still being within the scope of the term "surrounding." Other coupling methods and configurations, however, may be employed that retain the containers 104a-n and tray 102 together, e.g., a tongue-and-grove configuration. Additionally, the outer shell 106 may include a flange 702, disposed above the threading 602, designed to prohibit insertion of the containers 104a-n passed a pre-defined location. Therefore, unlike known tray-container assemblies, the containers 104a-n are operably configured to be securely retained to the tray 102, thereby reducing the likelihood of spillage.

[0041] To further decrease the likelihood of spillage, the assembly 100 may also include a container top 604 operably configured to cover the proximal opening 606 and encapsulate the container cavity 700. The top 604 may include a transparent or translucent first cover member 608, which may include a portion operable configured to be inserted within (or surround) the proximal opening 606. The first cover member 608 may be of a polymeric material and may also beneficially include a portion designated for a user to inscribe indicia, typically associated with identifying the contents of the container. The top 604 may also include a second cover member 610 that may be operably configured to engage with a second threaded portion 612 of the outer shell 106. The second cover member 610 may also be of a polymeric material. The first and second cover members 608, 610 are beneficially separable so that a user may interchange new first cover members in case of repeated use of the containers 104a-n (and inscribing for each use) and, like the inner and outer shells 106, 108, to facilitate in a more effective cleaning process. The containers 104a-n can also be seen having etchings, lines, or other indicia to demarcate specific volumes or fill-lines associated with the containers 104a-n. The container cavity 700 may be designed to retain or house a volume ranging from 6 fl. oz. to 8 fl. oz., or other volumes outside of said range, but consistent with the scope and intent of the present invention.

[0042] Still referring to FIGS. 5-7, the outer shell 106 can be seen having an outer shell cavity 614 and defining at least one channel 616 spatially coupled to the outer shell cavity 614. Said another way, the channel 616 permits a user to access, from an ambient environment (i.e., outside of the assembly 100), to the outer shell cavity 614 so that the user can apply a compression force to the inner shell 108 disposed within the outer shell cavity 614. Beneficially, the inner shell 108 may be removably coupled to the outer shell 106 using, for example, a compression fitting or fasteners, e.g., one or more container coupling members 618 and/or the top 604. Specifically, in one embodiment, the one or more container coupling members 618 may be configured to be removably engaged from the inner shell 108 and then inserted through the outer shell 106 through one or more apertures 620, where the one or more container coupling members 618 may then be coupled back to the inner shell 108. In other embodiments, the outer shell 106 may include one or more recesses or channels for the one or more container coupling members 618 to be engaged with, thereby obviating the need to remove the one or more container coupling members 618 from the inner shell 108. The outer shell 106 may also include one or more recesses 622 shaped to receive the one or more container coupling members 618, thereby resisting vertical movement of the inner shell 108 when placed within the outer shell cavity 614.

[0043] With reference now to FIGS. 6-9, the inner shell 108 of the containers 104a-n can be seen having an enclosed sidewall 900 and a bottom inner surface 902 that, when joined with the top 604, encapsulate the container cavity 700, thereby effectively housing the contents stored therein. The outer shell 106 can be seen having a bottom inner surface 904 and an enclosed sidewall 906 along portions of the length of the outer shell 106. The at least one channel 616, however, may consist of two channels, or a first channel 616 and a second channel 204 (shown best in FIG. 2), designed to further facilitate in applying a compression force on the inner shell 108. Said another way, the first and second channels 616, 204 enable the user to use a single hand to apply an effective amount of force to flex or deform the inner shell 108, thereby "ejecting" the contents (frozen or otherwise) disposed within the container 104a-n. As such, the first and second channels 616, 204 are spatially coupled to the outer shell cavity 614 and may be disposed in an opposing configuration with one another, i.e., on opposite sides of the container.

[0044] In additional embodiments, the first and second channels 616, 204 of the outer shell 106 may each have an inward channel segment 624 spanning inwardly from the outer surface 600 of the outer shell 106 into the bottom inner surface 906 of the outer shell 106 and an upward channel segment 626 spanning upwardly from the bottom inner surface 906 of the outer shell 106 toward the proximal end 908 of each of the respective plurality of hand-held containers 104a-n. The inward channel segment 624 and the outer channel segment 626 may beneficially terminate in an arcuate surface or shape and may also each include a channel width 628 equal in length to one another. In one embodiment, the channel width 628 is of a length of approximately 0.5-1.5 inches to provide clearance for user's digits, e.g., a user's thumb and index finger. Therefore, the above features facilitate in ejecting the contents of the one or more containers 104a-n when applying a compression force on the inner shell 108. Preferably, the entire portion of the inner shell 108 exposed to the channel 616 is deformable and/or flexible. In some embodiments, however, only a portion of the inner shell 108 exposed to the channel 616 is deformable and/or flexible.

[0045] To use the tray-container assembly, the user may begin by providing a tray-container assembly, as described herein, and removing the top 604 associated with one or more of the containers 104a-n and insert a fluid 800 or other contents within the container cavity 700 (as best shown in FIG. 8). The user may then close the top 604 thereby encapsulating the fluid 800 within the cavity 700 or leave the top off the one or more containers 104a-n. Then, the user may then insert and fasten the one or more containers 104a-n within the one or more respective apertures 500a-n on the tray 102 using, for example, the treaded engagement configuration of the containers 104a-n and tray 102. Specifically, in one embodiment, a container may be inserted into the tray via a container insertion axis 506 (shown best in FIG. 5), also referred to as a container-tray coupling path. After inserted within the tray 102, or when in a first position along the container-tray coupling path, the distal ends 204a-n of the plurality of hand-held containers 104a-n may define a tray-container placement plane, wherein the container insertion axis 506 disposed at a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the tray-container placement plane (as best seen in FIG. 2) for added stability.

[0046] Thereafter, the user may freeze the contents 800 of the containers 104a-n (as best shown in FIG. 9). Typically, the inner shell 108 is shaped and sized such that it contours the inner surface 904 of the outer shell 106 and is positioned within the cavity 614 such that a lower terminal end 802 of the inner shell 108 is disposed in an adjacent configuration with a bottom inner surface 906 of the outer shell 106. This configuration can be said to be a static state along an inner shell compression path, as no compression forces from the user are subjected on the inner shell 108. Said differently, the static state of the inner shell 108 along the inner shell compression path may be when the inner shell 108 contour the inner surface 904 of the outer shell 106. When in the static state, the inner shell 108 may define a container cavity 700 with a static volume, e.g., 6 fl oz.

[0047] Whether frozen or otherwise, the user may desire the contents 800 within the containers 104a-n to be removed, or "ejected." To accomplish this, the user may apply a compression force on one or more sides of the inner shell 108, through the one or more channels 616 defined by the rigid outer shell 106. This process can be described as placing the inner shell 108 in a dynamic state along the inner shell compression path. Said differently, when placed in the dynamic state, the inner shell 108 may be deformed and the container cavity has a dynamic volume, e.g., 5 fl oz, wherein the dynamic volume less than the static volume. Said differently, the user's application of compression force on the flexible and/or deformable inner shell 108 accessible to the user through the one or more channels formed on the outer shell 106, causes the contents 800 within the container to be ejected upwardly toward the proximal aperture 606. To inhibit the contents 800 within cavity 700 from sticking or adhering to the inner surface 900 of the inner shell 108, the inner surface 900 may be of a material having a low coefficient of friction and/or may have a coating applied thereon.

[0048] As such, above-described tray-container assembly provides users the unique ability to not only retain a plurality of containers to a tray for transport, storage, or freezing, but also to efficiently, safely, and effectively eject any food or liquid substances housed within said containers.

Claims

1. A tray and removable ejection container assembly comprising: a portable tray defining a plurality of apertures each with a surrounding tray threading; and a plurality of hand-held containers, each with: an enclosed sidewall defining a container cavity, a distal end, a proximal end opposing the distal end, and a container length separating the distal end and proximal end; a proximal opening defined by the proximal end, the proximal opening spatially coupled to the container cavity; a container diameter spanning an insertion length greater than 50% of the container length; an outer surface with a surrounding container threading; a first position along a container-tray coupling path with the insertion length of each of the plurality of hand-held containers inserted, respectively, within one of the plurality of apertures defined by the portable tray and removably coupled to the tray, through an engagement with the surrounding container threading and the surrounding tray threading; and a second position along the container-tray coupling path with at least one of the plurality of hand-held containers uncoupled to the portable tray.

2. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a container top operably configured to cover the proximal opening and encapsulate the container cavity.

3. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a container insertion axis defined by the container-tray coupling path; and a tray-container placement plane defined by the distal ends of the plurality of hand-held containers when in the first position along a container-tray coupling path, the container insertion axis disposed at a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the tray-container placement plane.

4. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of hand-held containers each further comprise: an outer shell defining: an outer shell cavity; at least one channel spatially coupled to the outer shell cavity; and the outer surface with the surrounding container threading; wherein the outer shell is of a rigid material; and an inner shell disposed within the outer shell cavity, removably coupled to the outer shell, and defining the enclosed sidewall, wherein the inner shell is of a flexible material and accessible from an ambient environment through the at least one channel.

5. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 4, wherein: the at least one channel includes a first channel and a second channel, both spatially coupled to the outer shell cavity, wherein the first and second channels of the outer shell are disposed in an opposing configuration with one another.

6. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 5, wherein: the first and second channels of the outer shell each having an inward channel segment spanning inwardly from the outer surface of the outer shell into the bottom inner surface of the outer shell and an upward channel segment spanning upwardly from the bottom inner surface of the outer shell toward the proximal end of each of the respective plurality of hand-held containers.

7. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 6, wherein: the inward channel segment and the outer channel segment each include a channel width equal in length to one another, the channel width of a length of approximately 0.5-1.5 inches.

8. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of hand-held containers each further comprise: an outer shell defining: an outer shell cavity; at least one channel spatially coupled to the outer shell cavity and spanning from the distal end of each of the respective plurality of hand-held containers; and the outer surface with the surrounding container threading; wherein the outer shell is of a rigid material; and an inner shell disposed within the outer shell cavity, removably coupled to the outer shell, and defining the enclosed sidewall, wherein the inner shell is of a flexible and deformable material and is accessible from an ambient environment through the at least one channel.

9. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 8, wherein the inner shell further comprises: a lower terminal end disposed in an adjacent configuration with a bottom inner surface of the outer shell.

10. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 8, wherein: the at least one channel includes a first channel and a second channel, both spatially coupled to the outer shell cavity, wherein the first and second channels of the outer shell are disposed in an opposing configuration with one another.

11. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 8, wherein the inner shell further comprises: a static state along an inner shell compression path with the inner shell contouring an inner surface of the outer shell and the inner shell defining the container cavity with a static volume; and a dynamic state along the inner shell compression path with inner shell deformed and defining the container cavity with a dynamic volume, the dynamic volume less than the static volume.

12. A tray and removable ejection container assembly comprising: a portable tray defining a plurality of apertures; and a plurality of hand-held containers, each with: an outer shell of a rigid material and with an outer surface, an inner surface, a proximal end, a distal end, and a container diameter spanning an insertion length greater than 50% of a container length separating the proximal and distal ends of the outer shell, the outer shell defining: an outer shell cavity; and at least one channel spatially coupled to the outer shell cavity and spanning from the distal end of the outer shell toward the proximal end of the outer shell; and an inner shell coupled to the outer shell, the inner shell: with a bottom inner surface and an enclosed sidewall defining, with the bottom inner surface of the inner shell, a container cavity spatially coupled to a proximal opening defined by a proximal end of the inner shell; disposed within the outer shell cavity; of a flexible and deformable material; and accessible from an ambient environment through the at least one channel defined by the outer shell; a first position along a container-tray coupling path with the insertion length of each of the plurality of hand-held containers inserted, respectively, within one of the plurality of apertures defined by the portable tray and removably coupled to the tray; and a second position along the container-tray coupling path with at least one of the plurality of hand-held containers uncoupled to the portable tray.

13. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 12, further comprising: a surrounding container threading disposed on the outer surface of the outer shell; a surrounding tray threading disposed on the portable tray and surrounding the plurality of apertures, wherein the first position along the container-tray coupling path includes each of the plurality of hand-held containers removably coupled, through an engagement with the surrounding container threading and the surrounding tray threading, to the tray.

14. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 12, wherein: the at least one channel includes a first channel and a second channel, both spatially coupled to the outer shell cavity, wherein the first and second channels of the outer shell are disposed in an opposing configuration with one another.

15. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 14, wherein: the first and second channels of the outer shell each having an inward channel segment spanning inwardly from the outer surface of the outer shell into a bottom inner surface of the outer shell and an upward channel segment spanning upwardly from the bottom inner surface of the outer shell toward the proximal end of the outer shell.

16. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 15, wherein: the inward channel segment terminates into an arcuate shape.

17. The tray and removable ejection container assembly according to claim 12, wherein the inner shell further comprises: a static state along an inner shell compression path with the inner shell contouring the inner surface of the outer shell and the inner shell defining the container cavity with a static volume; and a dynamic state along the inner shell compression path with inner shell deformed and defining the container cavity with a dynamic volume, the dynamic volume less than the static volume.