U.S. patent application number 09/371406 was filed with the patent office on 2001-05-31 for cookie container with dual ramp structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to SCOTT A. HANSON. Invention is credited to HANSON, SCOTT A., MANGLA, RAJ K., MASLACH, SUZANNE R..
Application Number | 20010002268 09/371406 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23463862 |
Filed Date | 2001-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010002268 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HANSON, SCOTT A. ; et
al. |
May 31, 2001 |
COOKIE CONTAINER WITH DUAL RAMP STRUCTURE
Abstract
A cookie container comprises a base having a bottom wall and an
upstanding side wall surrounding the bottom wall. One portion of
the side wall forms a pair of integral ramps for supporting
respective generally straight rows of cookies at an angle relative
to the bottom wall. The ramps are angled slightly away from each
other such that an interior angle between the ramps (as viewed from
an interior of the base) is greater than 180 degrees. By angling
the ramps away from each other, the rows of cookies extending from
the respective ramps into an interior of the base diverge away from
each other. This, in turn, assists in showcasing cookies supported
by the ramps for better viewing because a consumer can readily see
the generally flat top of at least one cookie from a greater
viewing angle than if the cookies in both rows extended in the same
direction.
Inventors: |
HANSON, SCOTT A.; (BUFFALO
GROVE, IL) ; MANGLA, RAJ K.; (PITTSFORD, NY) ;
MASLACH, SUZANNE R.; (PITTSFORD, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL J. BLANKSTEIN
JENKENS & GILCHRIST
1445 ROSS AVENUE
SUITE 3200
DALLAS
TX
75202-2799
US
|
Assignee: |
SCOTT A. HANSON
|
Family ID: |
23463862 |
Appl. No.: |
09/371406 |
Filed: |
August 10, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/106 ;
206/445; 426/128 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/62 20130101;
B65D 2543/00101 20130101; B65D 85/60 20130101; B65D 2543/00296
20130101; B65D 2543/00194 20130101; B65D 1/36 20130101; B65D
2251/105 20130101; B65D 43/162 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/106 ;
426/128; 206/445 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cookie container, comprising: a base having a bottom wall and
an upstanding side wall surrounding the bottom wall; and one
portion of the side wall forming a pair of integral ramps for
supporting respective generally straight rows of cookies at an
angle relative to the bottom wall, the ramps being angled slightly
away from each other such that the rows of cookies extending from
the respective ramps into an interior of the base diverge away from
each other.
2. The cookie container of claim 1, wherein the ramps intersect
each other.
3. The cookie container of claim 1, wherein an interior ramp angle
between each ramp and the bottom wall is between about 120 degrees
and about 160 degrees.
4. The cookie container of claim 3, wherein the interior ramp angle
is about 150 degrees.
5. The cookie container of claim 1, wherein the side wall includes
a pair of opposing side portions and a pair of opposing end
portions, one of the end portions forming the pair of ramps, the
ramps being angled away from each other and toward the respective
side portions proximate to the respective ramps.
6. The cookie container of claim 5, wherein the ramps intersect the
respective side portions.
7. The cookie container of claim 1, wherein the ramps are angled
less steeply relative to the bottom wall than remaining portions of
the side wall.
8. The cookie container of claim 1, wherein an interior angle
between the ramps, as measured in an imaginary plane parallel to
the bottom wall and intersecting the ramps, is between about 190
degrees and about 220 degrees.
9. The cookie container of claim 8, wherein the interior angle is
about 210 degrees.
10. The cookie container of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall forms
an upstanding ridge for separating the rows of cookies.
11. The cookie container of claim 5, wherein the bottom wall forms
an upstanding ridge for separating the rows of cookies, the
upstanding ridge being generally parallel to the side portions and
intersecting the one of the end portions between the ramps.
12. The cookie container of claim 1, wherein the base includes a
pair of feet at lower ends of the respective ramps and in generally
the same plane as the bottom wall to prevent the base from tipping
over onto the ramps.
13. The cookie container of claim 1, further including a lid
hingedly connected to the base.
14. A cookie container, comprising: a base having a bottom wall and
an upstanding side wall surrounding the bottom wall, the side wall
including a pair of opposing side portions and a pair of opposing
end portions extending between the side portions; and one of the
end portions forming a pair of integral ramps for supporting
respective generally straight rows of cookies at an angle relative
to the bottom wall, the ramps being angled less steeply relative to
the bottom wall than the opposing side portions and the other of
the end portions, the ramps being angled slightly away from each
other and toward the respective side portions proximate to the
respective ramps such that the rows of cookies extending from the
respective ramps into an interior of the base diverge away from
each other.
15. The cookie container of claim 14, wherein the ramps intersect
each other and intersect the respective side portions.
16. The cookie container of claim 14, wherein an interior ramp
angle between each ramp and the bottom wall is between about 120
degrees and about 160 degrees.
17. The cookie container of claim 14, wherein an interior angle
between the ramps, as measured in an imaginary plane parallel to
the bottom wall and intersecting the ramps, is between about 190
degrees and about 220 degrees.
18. The cookie container of claim 14, wherein the bottom wall forms
an upstanding ridge positioned to separate the rows of cookies.
19. The cookie container of claim 18, wherein the upstanding ridge
is generally parallel to and approximately halfway between the side
portions, the upstanding ridge intersecting the one of the end
portions between the ramps.
20. The cookie container of claim 14, wherein the base includes a
pair of feet at lower ends of the respective ramps and in generally
the same plane as the bottom wall to prevent the base from tipping
over onto the ramps.
21. A cookie container, comprising: a bottom wall; an upstanding
side wall surrounding the bottom wall, the side wall including a
pair of opposing side portions and a pair of opposing end portions
extending between the side portions; a pair of integral ramps
formed by one of the end portions, the ramps being constructed and
arranged to support respective generally straight rows of cookies
at an angle relative to the bottom wall, the ramps being angled
less steeply relative to the bottom wall than the opposing side
portions and the other of the end portions, the ramps being angled
slightly away from each other and toward the respective side
portions proximate to the respective ramps such that the rows of
cookies extending from the respective ramps into an interior of the
container diverge away from each other; an upstanding ridge formed
by the bottom wall and positioned to separate the rows of cookies;
and a pair of feet at lower ends of the respective ramps and in
generally the same plane as the bottom wall to prevent the
container from tipping over onto the ramps.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to cookie containers
and, more particularly, to a cookie container having a pair of
integral ramps angled away from each other to assist in showcasing
cookies supported by the ramps for better viewing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] One example of a cookie container includes a lid connected
to a base along a hinge. The base includes a bottom wall and an
upstanding side wall surrounding the bottom wall. The portion of
the peripheral side wall below the hinge is steeply angled to form
a ramp for supporting cookies at an angle relative to the bottom
wall. The bottom wall may form a ridge that intersects the ramp and
separates the cookies into two or more rows. The ramp directly
supports a rear cookie in each row to maintain that cookie at an
angle relative to the bottom wall corresponding to the angle of the
ramp relative to the bottom wall. The rear cookie in each row, in
turn, supports the next adjacent cookie, and so on, such that the
cookies in each row are supportingly maintained at the
aforementioned angle relative to the bottom wall.
[0003] One drawback of the cookie container described above is that
its effectiveness in showcasing cookies in a grocery store is
somewhat limited. It has been found that cookie containers better
attract consumers and thereby promote sales when they showcase the
generally flat tops of the cookies. The cookie container described
above primarily showcases the cookies in a direction perpendicular
to the hinge. As a consumer approaches the cookie container from
this direction, the consumer can readily see the generally flat top
of the front cookie in each row and, therefore, will more likely
notice and purchase the cookies among a plethora of other cookie
offerings. If, however, a consumer approaches the cookie container
from a different direction, the cookies are less likely to "grab"
the consumer's attention and thereby lead the consumer to purchase
the cookies. Another drawback of the cookie container described
above is that after the cookies are purchased and are partially
consumed, the force applied by the remaining cookies leaning
against the ramp may cause the container to tip over such that the
ramp, instead of the bottom wall, sits on a support surface.
[0004] A need therefore exists for a cookie container that
overcomes one or more the above-noted drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
a cookie container comprises a base having a bottom wall and an
upstanding side wall surrounding the bottom wall. One portion of
the side wall forms a pair of integral ramps for supporting
respective generally straight rows of cookies at an angle relative
to the bottom wall. The ramps are angled slightly away from each
other such that an interior angle between the ramps (as viewed from
an interior of the base) is greater than 180 degrees. By angling
the ramps away from each other, the rows of cookies extending from
the respective ramps into the interior of the base would diverge
away from each other. This, in turn, assists in showcasing cookies
supported by the ramps for better viewing because a consumer can
readily see the generally flat top of at least one cookie from a
greater viewing angle than if the cookies in both rows extended in
the same direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon
reference to the drawings in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a cookie container embodying
the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a top view of the cookie container; and
[0009] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 in
FIG. 2.
[0010] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown
by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in
detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended
to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on
the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a cookie
container 10 embodying the present invention. The cookie container
10 is generally rectangular in shape and includes a lid 12 and a
base 14 connected to each other along a hinge 16. The hinge 16 is
flexible and durable to resist breaking in response to repeated
opening and closing of the container 10. The container 10 is
preferably composed of a thermoplastic material such as oriented
polystyrene (OPS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), K-resin,
talc-filled polypropylene, or polyvinyl chloride.
[0012] The lid 12 includes a top wall 18, a depending side wall 20,
and a rim 22. The side wall 20 encompasses the top wall 18, extends
downward and outward from the top wall 18, and includes a plurality
of vertical ribs 24 that provide stacking strength. The rim 22
encompasses a lower edge of the side wall 20 and extends laterally
outward therefrom. A front portion of the rim 22 disposed opposite
the hinge 16 includes a pair of spaced, rectangular recesses 26.
The recesses 26 are designed to releasably engage corresponding
rectangular buttons 28 on the base 14 to lock the lid 12 in a
closed position covering the base 14. The lid 12 is fairly shallow
to prevent excessive movement of the cookies in the base 14 during
shipping and handling. By preventing excessive movement of the
cookies, cookie breakage is minimized.
[0013] The base 14 includes a bottom wall 30, a depending side wall
32, and a rim 34. The side wall 32 encompasses the bottom wall 30,
extends upward and outward from the bottom wall 30, and includes a
plurality of vertical ribs 36 that provide stacking strength. The
rim 34 encompasses an upper edge of the side wall 32 and extends
laterally outward therefrom. A front portion of the rim 34 disposed
opposite the hinge 16 includes the pair of spaced, rectangular
buttons 28 mentioned above. Opposing ends of each button 28 form a
pair of shoulders designed to engage corresponding dtentes at
opposite ends of the respective recess 26. Further details
concerning the interlocking buttons 28 and recesses 26 may be
obtained from U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,659 to Warburton, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0014] Because the container 10 is generally rectangular in shape,
the side wall 32 includes a pair of opposing side portions 32a and
32b and a pair of opposing end portions 32c and 32d. The end
portions 32c and 32d extend between the side portions 32a and 32b.
The end portion 32c beneath the hinge 16 forms a pair of integral,
generally planar ramps 38 and 40 for supporting respective
generally straight rows of cookies 42 and 44 at an angle relative
to the bottom wall 30. The ramps 38 and 40 are sloped less steeply
relative to the bottom wall 30 than the remaining portions of the
side wall 32. In other words, referring to FIG. 3, the interior
angle .alpha. between the ramp 38, 40 and the bottom wall 30 is
greater than the interior angle between the remaining side wall
portions 32a, 32b, 32d and the bottom wall 30. The interior angle
.alpha. is measured in an imaginary plane perpendicular to both the
ramp 38 or 40 and the bottom wall 30. In a preferred embodiment,
the interior angle .alpha. between the ramp 38, 40 and the bottom
wall 30 is in a range from about 120 degrees to about 160 degrees
and is, most preferably, about 150 degrees. A smaller interior
angle .alpha. allows the container 10 to accommodate more
cookies.
[0015] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the ramps 38 and 40 are
angled slightly away from each other and toward the respective side
portions 32a and 32b such that an interior angle .beta. between the
ramps 38 and 40 (as viewed from an interior of the base 14) is
greater than 180 degrees. The interior angle .beta. is measured in
an imaginary plane parallel to the bottom wall 30 and intersecting
the ramps 38 and 40. In a preferred embodiment, the interior angle
.beta. between the ramps 38 and 40 is in a range from about 190
degrees to about 220 degrees and is, most preferably, about 210
degrees.
[0016] By angling the ramps 38 and 40 away from each other, the
rows of cookies 42 and 44 extending from the respective ramps 38
and 40 into the interior of the base 14 diverge away from each
other. This, in turn, assists in showcasing the cookies supported
by the ramps 38 and 40 for better viewing because a consumer can
readily see the generally flat top of at least one cookie from a
greater viewing angle than if the cookies in both rows extended in
the same direction. For example, a consumer approaching the side
portions 32a and 32b or the end portion 32d of the container 10 can
readily see the generally flat top of the front cookie in at least
one of the two rows 42 and 44. If the consumer approaches the side
portion 32a the consumer can easily view the generally flat top of
the cookie 42a, while if the consumer approaches the side portion
32b the consumer can easily view the generally flat top of the
cookie 44a. Of course, if the consumer approaches the end portion
32d the consumer can easily view the generally flat top of both
cookies 42a and 44a.
[0017] The bottom wall 30 forms a central upstanding ridge 46 for
keeping the rows of cookies 42 and 44 separated from each other.
The ridge 46 extends upwardly from adjacent flat portions of the
bottom wall 30 and is generally parallel to the side portions 32a
and 32b. The ridge 46 divides the base 14 into two generally
equally halves and intersects the end portion 32c at an
intersection of the ramps 38 and 40. The rows of cookies 42 and 44
are disposed on opposite sides of the ridge 46.
[0018] To help stabilize the container 10 as a consumer removes
cookies from the base 14, the base 14 includes a pair of feet 48
and 50 at the lower ends of the respective ramps 38 and 40. The
feet 48 and 50 are essentially extensions of the bottom wall 30
into the respective ramps 38 and 40. When only a few cookies remain
in the base 14 and these cookies lean against the ramps 38 and 40,
the feet 48 and 50 prevent the base 14 from tipping over onto the
ramps 38 and 40 such that the ramps, instead of the bottom wall 30,
sit on a support surface. Although the feet 48 and 50 are
illustrated as being generally triangular in configuration, the
feet 48 and 50 can take on other geometric configurations such as
rectangular, semi-elliptical, and semi-circular.
[0019] While the present invention has been described with
reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in
the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof
is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the
claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *