U.S. patent application number 10/762677 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-28 for sunflower seed dispenser and shell diposal container.
Invention is credited to Hogan, Lance A..
Application Number | 20050161424 10/762677 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34794909 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050161424 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hogan, Lance A. |
July 28, 2005 |
Sunflower seed dispenser and shell diposal container
Abstract
A dual-compartment container designed specifically to dispense
unshelled sunflower seeds and to hold sunflower seed refuse. The
container comprises a dispenser compartment, a disposal
compartment, and a dividing wall. The two compartments are
separately blow molded, and the dividing wall is made up of one
surface of the dispenser compartment and one surface of the
disposal compartment. The two compartments are held together by
packaging and/or surface mating means. The volumetric ratio of the
dispenser compartment to the disposal compartment is preferably
1:1.7. The container is dimensioned so as to fit in a standard
vehicle cup holder. The disposal compartment has ventilation holes
and is optionally made of an opaque material to conceal the
enclosed refuse. The neck of the disposal compartment is situated
on top of the container and is wider than the neck of the dispenser
compartment to facilitate spitting refuse into the disposal
compartment.
Inventors: |
Hogan, Lance A.; (Columbus,
MT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Antoinette M. Tease, P.L.L.C.
PO Box 51016
Billings
MT
59105
US
|
Family ID: |
34794909 |
Appl. No.: |
10/762677 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/10 ;
220/23.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/04 20130101; B65D
21/0202 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/010 ;
220/023.4 |
International
Class: |
B65D 021/02; A47G
019/00; B65D 021/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A dual-compartment container comprising a dispenser compartment,
a disposal compartment, and a dividing wall, wherein the volumetric
ratio of the dispenser compartment to the disposal compartment is
in the range of 1:1.5 to 1:1.9.
2. A dual-compartment container comprising a dispenser compartment,
a disposal compartment, and a dividing wall, wherein the disposal
compartment is punctured to provide a plurality of ventilation
holes.
3. The dual-compartment container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the
disposal compartment is made of an opaque material.
4. The dual-compartment container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the
dispenser compartment is made of a transparent material.
5. The dual-compartment container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the
dispenser compartment and the disposal compartment are made of
thermoplastic.
6. The dual-compartment container of claim 1 or 2, further
comprising a bottom surface that is so dimensioned as to fit into a
standard vehicle cup holder.
7. The dual-compartment container of claim 6, wherein the bottom
surface is no greater than 3.5 inches in diameter.
8. The dual-compartment container of claim 6, wherein the bottom
surface is flat.
9. The dual-compartment container of claim 6, wherein the bottom
surface is corrugated.
10. The dual-compartment container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the
dispenser compartment and the disposal compartment are held
together by packaging.
11. The dual-compartment container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the
dispenser compartment and the disposal compartment are separately
blow molded, the dividing wall is formed by a surface of the
dispenser compartment and a surface of the disposal compartment,
and the two surfaces that form the dividing wall are joined
together by mating engagement means.
12. The dual-compartment container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the
dispenser compartment and the disposal compartment are separately
blow molded, the dividing wall is formed by a surface of the
dispenser compartment and a surface of the disposal compartment,
and the two surfaces are held together by a plurality of snaps that
comprise protrusions on the surface of the dispenser compartment
that forms the dividing wall and indentations on the surface of the
disposal compartment that forms the dividing wall.
13. The dual-compartment container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the
dispenser compartment and the disposal compartment are separately
blow molded, the dividing wall is formed by a surface of the
dispenser compartment and a surface of the disposal compartment,
and the two surfaces are held together by a plurality of snaps that
comprise protrusions on the surface of the disposal compartment
that forms the dividing wall and indentations on the surface of the
dispenser compartment that forms the dividing wall.
14. The dual-compartment container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the
dispenser compartment comprises a first neck and a first cap, and
wherein the disposal compartment comprises a second neck and a
second cap.
15. The dual-compartment container of claim 14, wherein the first
cap is a flip-top cap.
16. The dual-compartment container of claim 14, wherein the second
cap is a flip-top cap.
17. The dual-compartment container of claim 14, wherein the second
neck is wider than the first neck.
18. The dual-compartment container of claim 17, wherein the first
neck is no wider than nine-tenths (0.9) inches in diameter and the
second neck is at least one (1) inch in diameter.
19. The dual-compartment container of claim 17, wherein the second
neck and second cap are located directly on top of the container to
facilitate spitting into the disposal container.
20. The dual-compartment container of claim 14, further comprising
a bottom surface, wherein the distance between the bottom surface
and the top of the second neck is about nine and one-half (9.5)
inches.
21. The dual-compartment container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the
dispenser compartment contains unshelled sunflower seeds and the
disposal compartment contains sunflower seed refuse.
22. The dual-compartment container of claim 21, wherein the
sunflower seed refuse comprises sunflower seed shells.
23. The dual-compartment container of claim 21, wherein the
sunflower seed refuse comprises sunflower seed shells and
saliva.
24. The dual-compartment container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the
dispenser compartment contains unshelled pistachio nuts and the
disposal compartment contains pistachio nut refuse.
25. The dual-compartment container of claim 24, wherein the
pistachio nut refuse comprises pistachio nut shells.
26. The dual-compartment container of claim 24, wherein the
pistachio nut refuse comprises pistachio nut shells and saliva.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is an original nonprovisional application.
It does not claim priority back to any previously filed patent
application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of containers for
food items, and in particular, a container for dispensing sunflower
seeds and disposing of sunflower seed shells.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Although there are a number of patented inventions relating
to various forms of drink containers, and a few patented inventions
relating to containers for food items, no one has ever patented a
container that is designed specifically to dispense sunflower seeds
and dispose of sunflower seed shells. The present invention is not
only volumetrically calibrated to hold both unused sunflower seeds
and discarded sunflower seed shells, but its size and shape are
designed to allow the user to consume sunflower seeds while
driving. In addition, the present invention takes into account the
fact that the sunflower seed refuse will need to be ventilated so
as to prevent the container from taking on an unpleasant odor.
Despite the fact that there are a number of dual-compartment
container patents, no prior invention incorporates the unique
features of the present invention, which are specifically tailored
for the particular application described herein.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 132,020 (Odell, 1872) was one of the first
patents to cover a dual-compartment bottle, and it provides a
bottle with one or more partitions inside of it. The partition
divides the bottles into a plurality of compartments, each of which
has its own neck or spout. The inventor states that the bottle can
be used for liquid, powdered or other substances.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,808 (Pardo, 1980) claims a package for
sequentially dispensing the components of a two-component product,
comprising a first compartment with a neck, a second compartment
with a neck, a means for fastening the two compartments together so
that the neck finishes are parallel to each other and at the same
elevation, and a sequential interlock. The sequential interlock
comprises a sleeve-like guard portion and a blade-like tether
portion that works to ensure the proper sequential opening of one
compartment before the other.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,000 (Jaarsma, 1981) involves a
multi-compartment container with a molded body portion formed of
thermoplastic material and a molded cap. The body portion has a
dividing wall that forms separate internal compartments. One end of
the dividing wall intersects with the top plane of the container
defines the opening to the lower compartment. The other end of the
dividing wall is attached to the inner edge of one of the side
walls. The volumes of the two compartments vary depending on the
precise location of the divider wall. The molded cap is shaped like
an inverted cup and fits over the entire top surface of the
container.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,927 (Grinde, 1989) discloses a
two-compartment container that has a lower relatively large
capacity reservoir for storing material that will later be measured
in the upper lesser capacity reservoir. The upper reservoir has
raised graduated marks that correspond with certain volumetric
measurements. The container includes an internal passageways that
allow fluid in the lower reservoir to flow into the upper reservoir
when the container is tipped but that prevent additional fluid from
flowing into the upper reservoir when the fluid in the upper
reservoir is being dispensed.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,652 (Schiemann, 1989) provides a
dual-chambered can that has a larger chamber for holding gasoline,
a smaller chamber for holding oil, a thin connecting member, and a
handle. The smaller chamber has an upper zone that extends like a
cupola partway up the height of the handle. The only independent
claim includes specifics relating to the shape of the connecting
member and the shape and thickness of the handle.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,623 (Benavides et al., 2000) relates to
a container for handling bulk flowable products. The container
comprises a housing with first and second end walls, a partition
inside the housing dividing it into first and second compartments,
an outlet for each compartment on opposite ends of the housing, and
closures for the outlets. The partition is sloped toward each
outlet so that the enclosed material will flow toward whichever
compartment is on the bottom. The container was designed for
restaurants to hold, for example, rice and beans.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,146 (Betras, 2001) describes a container
with a first and second hollow chamber. Each chamber is helical in
shape so as to provide a more integral bottle structure and
enhanced aesthetic qualities. The chambers are attached to a top,
which helps keep them together, and they can also be attached by a
bottom or an attachment device. The container was meant to contain
liquids or fluids, such as drinks, jellies, salad dressings,
shampoo/conditioner, cosmetics, etc.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,311 (Litto, 2001) discloses a container
with a usable material chamber and a displacement matter chamber
that are separated by a flexible membrane. As the material in the
usable material chamber is used up, matter is introduced into the
displacement matter chamber to increase its volume and concurrently
decrease the volume of the usable material chamber. The purpose of
this apparatus is to remove atmospheric air from contact with the
usable material, so that, for example, carbonated beverages will
not go flat.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,229 (Anders, 2001) discloses a container
with multiple compartments wound around each other in a spiral
fashion. Each compartment is spiral wound along a common axis so as
to provide a symmetrical geometric form. In the preferred
embodiment, the compartments are used to hold beverages, and each
compartment has a separate opening. The compartments can be further
held together with releasable, interlocking features such as mating
pairs of male and female parts.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,351 (Thompson, 2002) involves a
multi-compartment container with one or more vertical dividing
walls inside the container. Each dividing wall increases in
thickness from bottom to top so that when the dividing wall reaches
the top surface, it is so thick that it defines a semi-circular
opening. Each semi-circular opening is covered by a circular,
flexible, foil seal. This container was intended to allow a person
to drink three different carbonated beverages without the beverages
going flat. It was also designed to allow three different people to
drink sanitarily from the same container.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,614 (Thompson, 2002) provides a
multi-compartment container wherein each compartment is accessed by
a straw and has a concave bowl-shaped depression at the point where
the straw accesses the compartment. The straws have corrugated
middle portions that are located adjacent to and are larger in
diameter than the apertures through which the straws fit, which
holds the straws in place and allows them to pop outward when a cap
that covers the bowl-shaped depression is opened.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,571,977 (Goncalez et al., 2003) and U.S.
patent application Pub. No. 2003/0052130 (Gancalez [sic] et al.)
both cover a container with an outer compartment and an inner
compartment that is centrally aligned within the outer compartment.
This particular container was designed so that consumption of the
material in either compartment would not cause imbalance.
[0018] U.S. patent application Pub. No. 2002/0074347 (Murray et
al.) claims a multi-compartment container and dispensing device
with a septum that extends from the bottom of the container up
through the neck to the container opening. The patent application
specifically recites that the invention is intended to dispense
flowable compositions in a 1:1 ratio.
[0019] In addition to the utility patents and patent application
discussed above, there are several design patents covering
dual-compartment bottles. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. D220,864
(Weckman, 1971); U.S. Pat. No. D301,688 (Green, 1989); U.S. Pat.
No. D302,656 (Green, 1989); U.S. Pat. No. D333,263 (Markuzov,
1993); U.S. Pat. No. D363,020 (Mason, Jr. et al., 1995); U.S. Pat.
No. D393,202 (Bertolini et al., 1998); U.S. Pat. No. D402,553
(Webster et al., 1998); U.S. Pat. No. D404,302 (Martin, 1999); U.S.
Pat. No. D411,748 (Klima, Jr., et al, 1999). None of these designs
even approximates the design of the present invention.
[0020] Despite the evolving technology discussed above, it is
apparent that no one has invented a container that is specifically
designed, and in fact volumetrically calibrated, to allow a person
to consume sunflower seeds and neatly dispose of their shells while
driving. It is an object of the present invention to provide such a
container and to satisfy the physical and aesthetic constraints
posed by this particular use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention is a portable, dual-compartment
container designed specifically to dispense unshelled sunflower
seeds and to hold sunflower seed refuse. The container comprises a
dispenser compartment, a disposal compartment, and a dividing wall.
The two compartments are separately blow molded, and the dividing
wall is made up of one surface of the dispenser compartment and one
surface of the disposal compartment. The two compartments are held
together by packaging and/or surface mating means, such as snaps.
The dispenser compartment contains sunflower seeds, and the
disposal compartment contains sunflower seeds refuse, which
includes sunflower seed shells and may include saliva if the
consumer shells the sunflower seeds in his mouth and spits out the
shells. In the preferred embodiment, the volumetric ratio of the
dispenser compartment to the disposal compartment is approximately
1:1.7.
[0022] The container is dimensioned so as to fit in a standard
vehicle cup holder. The disposal compartment has ventilation holes
and is optionally made of an opaque material to conceal the
enclosed refuse. The dispenser compartment is preferably made of a
transparent material so that the consumer can see how many
unshelled sunflower seeds are left. Each of the compartments
comprises a neck and a cap. The neck of the disposal compartment is
situated on top of the container and is wider than the neck of the
dispenser compartment to facilitate spitting refuse into the
disposal compartment. In the preferred embodiment, the two
compartments are made of thermoplastic.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention taken at A-A of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 4 is an exploded cross section view of an alternative
embodiment of the present invention, in which the two compartments
are held together by snaps.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0027] 1. Dispenser compartment
[0028] 2. Disposal compartment
[0029] 3. Dividing wall
[0030] 4. Ventilation holes
[0031] 5. First opening
[0032] 6. First neck
[0033] 7. First cap
[0034] 8. Second opening
[0035] 9. Second neck
[0036] 10. Second cap
[0037] 11. Bottom surface
[0038] 12. Protrusions
[0039] 13. Indentations
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0040] The present invention is a sunflower seed container that is
designed specifically for individuals who eat sunflower seeds while
driving, who shell the sunflower seeds in their mouths, and who
spit out the sunflower seed shells. The present invention provides
those individuals with a convenient way to pour out a few sunflower
seeds at a time, shell them, and then spit the shells into the same
container from which the sunflower seeds were poured--all without
mixing the unshelled sunflower seeds with the sunflower seed
shells. The container is designed to fit into any standard vehicle
cup holder, and it is volumetrically calibrated so that there is
just enough room in the disposal compartment to hold the shells
from the sunflower seeds in the dispenser compartment. The
container of the present invention could also be used by someone
who does not spit out sunflower seed shells but who cracks them
open with her hands; in that case, the shells could be placed
manually into the disposal compartment.
[0041] The present invention also takes into account the fact that
the sunflower refuse might not be pleasing from either a visual or
olfactory standpoint. Accordingly, the preferred embodiment
includes ventilation holes on the top of the disposal compartment
to prevent unpleasant odors from emanating from the disposal
compartment when the cap is opened. In addition, the two
compartments are separately blow molded so that the disposal
compartment could be made of an opaque material so as to conceal
the sunflower seed refuse. Alternatively, the disposal compartment
could be made of transparent material, and its contents could be
hidden from view by packaging placed on the outside of the disposal
compartment. Preferably, the dispenser compartment is made of a
transparent material so that the user can see how many sunflower
seeds are left.
[0042] Without a container like the present invention, individuals
who eat sunflower seeds while driving encounter a number of
problems related to disposing of the sunflower shells. For most of
us, spitting sunflower seed shells on the floor of the vehicle is
not acceptable, and searching for a proper place to dispose of
sunflower seed shells can be a distraction to the driver. The
vehicle's ashtray is not conveniently located for this purpose and
could be difficult to clean out. Opening a window to spit out the
shells can result in unwanted exposure to the elements and even
shells blowing back into the vehicle. Drivers who use an insulated
travel mug for coffee may be reluctant to place sunflower seed
refuse in the mug because it may cause the coffee to taste salty
after the sunflower seeds are dumped out. The convenience and
utility of the present invention will solve these problems and
increase driver safety for those who spit and drive.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention. The dispenser compartment 1 holds unshelled
sunflower seeds, and the disposal compartment 2 holds the sunflower
seed refuse (which includes sunflower seed shells and may or may
not include saliva). A dividing wall 3 divides the dispenser
compartment 1 from the disposal compartment 2. In order to maximize
the amount of unshelled seeds that can be held in the dispenser
compartment and the amount of refuse that can be held in the
disposal compartment, the dividing wall is oriented so that the
volumetric ratio of the dispenser compartment to the disposal
compartment is in the range of 1:1.5 to 1:1.9. The top of the
disposal compartment includes a plurality of ventilation holes
4.
[0044] The dispenser compartment I includes a first opening 5 and a
first neck 6. The first opening 5 is covered by a first cap 7,
which is preferably a flip-top cap rather than a twist-off cap for
ease of use in the driving context. Similarly, the disposal
compartment 2 includes a second opening 8 and a second neck 9. The
second opening 8 is covered by a second cap 10, which is also
preferably a flip-top cap rather than a twist-off cap. Preferably,
the second opening 8 and the second cap 10 are greater in diameter
than the first opening 5 and the first cap 7 to facilitate spitting
into the disposal compartment. In one embodiment, the first opening
is approximately 0.87 inches in diameter, and the second opening is
approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. In the preferred embodiment,
the second neck and second cap are located directly on top of the
container to facilitate spitting into the disposal container.
[0045] The two compartments, when fitted together, form a bottom
surface 11. In the preferred embodiment, the bottom surface 11 is
no greater than 3.5 inches in diameter, so that the container will
fit into a standard vehicle cup holder. The bottom surface could be
flat or corrugated. As used herein, the term "corrugated" means
uneven or having alternating ridges and grooves. In the preferred
embodiment, the overall height of the container from the bottom
surface 11 to the second opening 8 is about 9.5 inches.
[0046] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention taken at A-A of FIG. 1. This figure
illustrates the placement of the dividing wall 3 in relation to the
dispenser compartment I and the disposal compartment 2. Present
technology dictates that the two compartments would each be
separately blow molded, and the dividing wall 3 would actually
consist of one surface from each of the compartments. The two
compartments could be held together by packaging or, as illustrated
in FIG. 4, by snaps or other means of holding the two compartments
together.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention. It shows the location of the dividing wall 3 in
relation to the first neck 6 and the second opening 8, and it also
illustrates that the second opening 8 is preferably wider than the
first opening 5.
[0048] FIG. 4 is an exploded cross section view of an alternative
embodiment of the present invention, in which the two compartments
are held together by a plurality of snaps. In this figure, the
snaps consist of protrusions on the disposal compartment side of
the dividing wall and indentations on the dispenser compartment
side of the dividing wall. The protrusions could be located on the
dispenser side of the dividing wall, and the indentations could be
located on the disposal side of the dividing wall. Additionally,
the two compartments could be attached by packaging or other types
of surface mating mechanisms. Because the container of the present
invention is intended to be disposable, in most instances the
sunflower seeds would be consumed before the packaging would wear
out.
[0049] Although the foregoing discussion has focused on sunflower
seeds, the container of the present invention could be used for any
consumable food item that can fit through the first opening 5 and
that generates refuse upon consumption. Another example of such a
food item is pistachio nuts.
[0050] The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been
shown and described above; however, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made
without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The
appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes
and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *