U.S. patent application number 11/344532 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-24 for limited use-disposable salad container assembly.
Invention is credited to Francisco Fuentes, Susan Rybar Michaeli, Thomas Rybar.
Application Number | 20060185990 11/344532 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36777843 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060185990 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rybar; Thomas ; et
al. |
August 24, 2006 |
Limited use-disposable salad container assembly
Abstract
A salad container assembly is disclosed including a base, a
cover removably mounted on the base, and a sealed salad dressing
insert for nesting within the cover having a flexible top, a salad
dressing reservoir, an opening, a seal over the opening, and a
puncturing mechanism capable of breaking the seal on application of
sufficient pressure to the flexible top thereby allowing the
contents of the reservoir to dispense into the base.
Inventors: |
Rybar; Thomas; (Guatemala
City, GT) ; Michaeli; Susan Rybar; (Miami, FL)
; Fuentes; Francisco; (Guatemala City, GT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CAHN & SAMUELS LLP
2000 P STREET NW
SUITE 200
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
36777843 |
Appl. No.: |
11/344532 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60648411 |
Feb 1, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3211 20130101;
B65D 51/2878 20130101; B65D 81/3222 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/219 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/08 20060101
B65D025/08 |
Claims
1. A disposable fluid food product dispensing container assembly
comprising: a base having an upper rim edge; a cover mounted
removably on said upper edge of said base, said cover having an
opening; and a removably attachable, fluid containing insert
package defining a sealed receptacle dimensioned to be inserted
into and adapted to seat within said opening, said insert package
including a deformable, flexible top, a reservoir, a dispensing
opening allowing communication between said fluid reservoir and
said base, a puncturable seal over said dispensing opening, a
puncturing mechanism capable of breaking the seal upon application
of sufficient pressure to said flexible top, for dispensing the
content of the fluid reservoir into the base.
2. A salad container assembly comprising: a base having an upper
rim edge, a cover mounted removably on said upper edge of said
base, said cover having an opening, a salad dressing insert package
defining a sealed receptacle dimensioned to be inserted into and
adapted to seat within said opening, said insert package including
a deformable, flexible top, a salad dressing reservoir, a
dispensing opening allowing communication between said fluid
reservoir and said base, a puncturable seal over said dispensing
opening, a puncturing mechanism capable of breaking the seal upon
application of sufficient pressure to said flexible top, for
dispensing the content of the fluid reservoir into the base.
3. The salad container assembly of claim 2 wherein said puncturing
mechanism includes an elongated shaft mounted on a dispensing disk
disposed proximally to the seal where said mechanism is pivotable
upon application of pressure to the deformable, flexible top.
4. The salad container assembly of claim 3 where the dispensing
opening is a cylindrical neck and further including a collar
disposed around neck and a hinge tab connecting the collar to the
dispensing disk.
5. The salad container assembly of claim 4 where the hinge tab
retains the dispensing disk and shaft from falling into said
base.
6. A sanitary, portion-packaged, fluid food product dispenser
comprising a deformable container defining a fluid reservoir said
container having a cylindrical neck defining a food dispensing
opening, a puncturing mechanism mounted to said container proximate
to said food dispensing opening and extending in part within said
fluid reservoir, a puncturable seal for sealing said food
dispensing opening, being puncturable by said puncturing mechanism
upon deformation of the container and displacement of said
puncturing mechanism.
7. The food product dispenser of claim 6 further comprising a
robust cap for attaching to said cylindrical neck and covering said
puncturable seal.
8. The food product dispenser of claim 7 wherein said puncturing
mechanism includes an elongated shaft mounted on a dispensing disk
disposed proximally to said seal wherein said mechanism is
pivotable upon application of pressure to said deformable, flexible
top.
9. The food product dispenser of claim 8 further including a collar
disposed around said neck and a hinge tab connecting said collar to
said dispensing disk.
10. The food product dispenser of claim 9 wherein said hinge tab
retains said dispensing disk and shaft from falling into said
base.
11. A method for using a salad container assembly as recited in
claim 2, comprising the steps of: a) affixing the salad dressing
insert package to said cover, b) depressing said flexible top, c)
puncturing said seal, and d) releasing the fluid.
Description
I. RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is an application filed under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.111(a) claiming benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e)(1)
of the filing date of the Provisional Application 60/648,411 filed
on Feb. 1, 2005 pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.111 (b), the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
II. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to food containers
and particularly to a salad container with an insert chamber for
salad dressing, and even more particularly to a disposable, limited
use salad container.
III. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As described in the earlier, U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,268,
traditionally, containers are used for storing and transporting
salads using various conventional containers which are generally
bowl-like and relatively shallow in configuration. Salad dressing,
which is sold along with the salad, typically is provided in a
portion packaged squeeze tube or small cylindrical package and is
placed into the same container as the salad ingredients (lettuce,
tomatoes, etc.). If subject to movement, e.g., transportation, the
salad dressing package, usually weighing more than, for example,
lettuce, will settle to the bottom of the container and may move
about freely within the container causing damage or bruising of the
salad ingredients.
[0004] An additional problem typically occurs when it is desired to
mix the salad dressing and the other salad ingredients. Typically,
to do this requires opening the salad dressing container, opening
the salad container, pouring the salad dressing onto the salad,
disposing of the dressing package, and then "tossing" the salad
either by agitation or with a utensil. Such action may be both
awkward and messy, and in the event of an imperfectly closed
container can result in spillage. Furthermore, in the case of a
shallow bowl-like container, the degree of mixing or tossing of the
dressing with the salad ingredients may be uneven.
[0005] In the case where pre-packed salad dressing containers are
not used, further problems of inefficiency and spillage may arise
from filling individual salad dressing containers.
[0006] These problems were partly addressed by the invention of
U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,268, the subject matter of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0007] Notwithstanding the usefulness of the above-described
structures typically used with salad containers, a need still
exists for a disposable and limited/single-use salad container
assembly with the ability to receive and retain one of a variety of
user-selectable discrete salad dressing packages, separate from the
salad container that provides for easy, uniform dispersal of salad
dressing over salad ingredients with a minimum of mess.
IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
disposable salad container of a design contemplating limited and/or
single use where the container includes separate chambers for
conveniently storing and transporting the salad ingredients and
salad dressing without unwanted damage or mixing prior to use.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
lightweight, semi-disposable salad container with a salad dressing
insert that can be used to mix salad ingredients and salad dressing
in a neat and efficient manner, such as by shaking.
[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide a relatively
lightweight, limited/single-use, salad dressing container
package.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
relatively lightweight, limited/single-use, disposable salad
container which accommodates a complementary, economically
manufactured, sanitary, easily shipped and vended salad dressing
portion package that insures substantially uniform dispersal of the
dressing within the container.
[0012] As used herein, "substantially," "generally," "relatively"
and other words of degree are relative modifiers intended to
indicate permissible variation from the characteristic so modified.
They are not intended to be limited to the absolute value or
characteristic which they modify, but rather possessing more of the
physical or functional characteristic than its opposite, and
preferably approaching or approximating such a physical or
functional characteristic.
[0013] As used herein, the term "flexible top" refers to a
deformable structure fabricated of a flexible material, such as
propylene or styrene plastics, possessing sufficient strength to
meet the functional objectives discussed herein, to provide a
substantially impervious environmental seal in ambient conditions
under normal use, and, in certain cases, resiliency permitting
shape recovery.
[0014] In the following description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings, which is shown by way of illustration to
specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. The
following illustrated embodiments should make apparent and enable
those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
structural changes based on presently known structural and/or
functional equivalents may be made without departing from the scope
of the invention.
[0015] Given the following detailed description, it should become
apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art that the
invention herein provides a novel, relatively lightweight,
limited/single-use, disposable salad container.
V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior salad container assembly
embodied in U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,268.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of
FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 3 showing the cap separated from the
insert.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a ribbed cover embodiment
for a disposable salad container contemplated for use in connection
with the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 is an assembly view of an embodiment of a disposable
salad container assembly contemplated for use in connection with
the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
6.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a front view of a threaded salad dressing insert
according to one aspect of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the insert embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional assembly view of a container
base and cover adapted for use with the threaded insert of FIG.
8.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a photographic perspective view of the invention
embodiment contemplated by FIGS. 8-10 and formed from substantially
transparent material.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a photographic perspective assembly view of a
salad dressing insert in accordance with a further embodiment of
the invention.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a photographic side view of the assembled
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a photographic bottom perspective view of the
assembled embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a photographic side assembly view of still
another embodiment of a salad dressing insert package according to
the invention.
[0031] FIG. 16 is a photographic top perspective assembly view of
the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15.
[0032] FIG. 17 is a photographic side view of the assembled
embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0033] FIG. 18 is a photographic side assembly view of a further
variation of the inventive salad dressing insert package according
to the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 19 is a side photographic view of an embodiment made of
opaque material.
[0035] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a variation of the
container cover according to another aspect of the invention where
the chamber does not include a side wall.
VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The present invention is generally directed to a
limited/single-use, disposable salad container assembly and methods
for assembling and using the same. A disposable salad container in
accordance with embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7, 11 and 19
comprises a relatively lightweight, limited/single-use, disposable
salad container assembly featuring a container base 12, a cover 14,
and a hermetically-sealed, portion packaged, salad dressing
container insert 16. The insert 16 is dimensioned to seat within
the cover 14 and in the illustrated embodiment, is affixable within
a nesting, open chamber 24. Both the cover 14 and the insert 16
have aligned openings allowing for fluid communication with the
interior of container base 12. The insert 16 preferably is
hermetically sealed with a thin metallized plastic sheet 80 as
illustrated, particularly in FIGS. 15 and 18. The insert 16 has a
deformable, flexible top 38 and a puncture mechanism 82 to open the
seal 20. The puncture mechanism 82 includes a shaft 72 running
through the center of the insert 16. When the flexible top 38 of
the insert 16 is depressed 78, it bears upon the shaft 72, which
presses on and breaks the seal 20 over the opening 91 of the insert
16. This allows salad dressing contained within the insert 16 to
flow into the container base 12.
[0037] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 8-11, the cover 14 is
generally dome-shaped and includes a annular rim 29 disposed about
the lower periphery of the cover 14 and is complementarily
dimensioned to frictionally seal on and engage the upper edge/rim
35 of the container base 12. More particularly, the rim 35 of the
base 12 cooperate to form an effective snap-fit which prevents the
cover 14 from being dislodged accidentally from the base 12. This
configuration allows the cover 14 to be engaged quickly onto the
base 12 and also enables a user to quickly and easily remove the
cover 14. However, any appropriate attachment mechanism, e.g.,
cooperating threading, mating press fit lugs and the like can be
employed and not depart from the invention described herein.
[0038] The cover 14 has a hollow chamber 24 dimensioned to receive
and frictionally retain the salad dressing insert 16. In the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the chamber 24 has a solid side wall
46, is conical with an inwardly directed opening 92 at its lower
end. The chamber 24 can have other configurations as, for example,
incorporating a plurality of co-acting, circularly disposed,
radially directed inward, ribs 90 for engaging the cylindrical
portion 50 of the insert 16. The chamber 24 can also have no side
wall 46 (FIG. 20), with the insert 16 engaging the cover 14 at the
upper edge 89 of the chamber 24. Furthermore, the invention is not
intended to be limited to the insertion of the insert package onto
the top of the salad container. A complementary opening for
receiving the insert package 16, analogous to the chamber 24, may
be established, for example, along the side of the container base
12.
[0039] Although illustrated as a mushroom-shaped structure, the
dressing insert package 16 may be in of geometric shape consistent
with its desired storage, mounting, and dispensing functions. For
example, the insert package 16 may be cylindrical, polygonal,
convex, concave, etc. so long as it is of adequate deformablity to
dispense the contained salad dressing into the container. The
insert 16 can even be shaped in forms similar to salad ingredients
such as a cauliflower, broccoli, or radishes.
[0040] The insert 16 is illustrated as being attached, e.g.,
snap-fit or threaded to the chamber 24. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, 13, 14, and 15 the insert 16 contains
screw threads 48 at the upper end 58 of the cylindrical portion 50
of the insert 16. The screw threads 48 engage threads 52 in the
chamber 24 of the cover 14. FIG. 10 illustrates a thread 52 in the
chamber 24 designed to retain the insert 16. In FIG. 18 a further
embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the
snap/interference fit between the cover and the insert package is
established by an annular snap-fit notch 60 medially located on a
perpendicular axis to the intended vector of deformation (pressing
on the flexible top) of the insert 16 and attach to the cover 14 at
the upper edge 89 of the chamber 24.
[0041] In another embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 15-18, the seal
20 is made of aluminum or plastic 80 and is protected by a cap 84.
The cap 84 is removably affixed for example by snap fit or screwing
by inter-engagement of cooperating treads 86 on the seal puncturing
mechanism 82. In use, the cap 84 employed to minimize damage or
accidental puncturing of the seal but is readily removed from the
insert 16 prior to its attachment to the cover 14. This provides
protection for the seal 20 on the insert 16 prior to nesting the
insert 16 into the cover 14.
[0042] As in the case of the above-recferenced U.S. Pat. No.
6,302,268, an elongated shaft, embedded within the dressing
container is employed to dispense the dressing upon selected
actuation. The particular mounting site within the inner surface of
the container, i.e. projecting from the bottom or the top, is
functionally equivalent so long as the shaft is capable of opening
the chamber upon deformation (pressing) of the flexible top.
[0043] In this invention, in order to more completely break the
seal of the package insert 16, preferably the puncture mechanism 82
includes not only the shaft 72, but also a distribution disk 32 for
bearing upon the seal 20 when pressure 78 is applied to the
flexible top 38 of the insert 16. The particular configuration of
the shaft 72 is not important so long as it possesses sufficient
dimensions and rigidity to meet its puncturing functionality. It
may be appropriate in some cases to employ more than one shaft,
particularly in the absence of a below-described distribution disk
32.
[0044] The distribution disk 32 is best described as a planar
member with a diameter smaller than the opening 91. The
distribution disk 82 also includes a connecting element (in this
case tab 94) connecting the planar member 32 to a circular collar
support 93 disposed about the dispensing opening 91 of the insert
16. The tab 94 is notched on the underside to act as a hinge,
allowing the distribution disk 32 to pivot relative to the collar
when moved by pressure applied by the user to the flexible top. In
the absence of such a connection of the puncturing member to the
collar support, the puncturing member would be pushed through the
seal and into the container content, an obviously undesirable
result. In this context, any attachment means can be used so long
as it comports with the above-described puncturing and retaining
functions. Preferably, the distribution disk 32 also features
several flow-through openings that assist in distributing seal
breaking pressure and in more uniformly dispensing the salad
dressing after the seal 20 is broken. Preferably the puncture
mechanism 82 is integrated molded piece formed from an
appropriately strong, resilient polymer such as engineered
polypropylene or styrene.
[0045] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18, the lower edge of
the insert 16 incorporates a lip 56 which snap-fits into the
support collar 93 of the puncture mechanism 82. The seal 20 is
attached to the circular support 93. In FIGS. 15-18, a cap 84 is
then affixed to the collar 93 over the seal 20 by threading/snap
fit.
[0046] The invention also contemplates methods for assembling the
salad container assembly whereby the container base 12 is filled
with salad ingredients and the cover 14 mounted onto the base 12.
In one embodiment, the assembly method also includes attaching the
salad dressing insert 16 to the chamber 24 of the cover 14.
[0047] Another embodiment of the assembly method includes filing
the salad dressing insert 16 with salad dressing and sealing the
opening 91 of the insert 16. As discussed above, a screw-fitting
cap 84 can additionally be placed over the seal 20 for additional
protection. In this way, the dressing insert package 16 can be
prepared by way of portion packaging, allowing a vendor to easily
provide and a user to select from a variety of salad dressings for
any given salad.
[0048] While the above embodiments are described as pertaining to
salad and salad dressing, it should be readily apparent that the
inventive concept herein is adaptable to other food products that
would benefit from uniform coating of a fluid from a discrete
portion packaged fluid source. For example, the invention could be
adapted for a food service to provide a variety of real-time,
consumer selectable, portion packaged barbeque sauces for chicken
wings.
[0049] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been
described herein, it is understood by those skilled in the art that
many other modifications and embodiments of the invention will come
to mind to which the invention pertains, having benefit of the
teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated
drawings. It is therefore understood that the invention is not
limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and that many
modifications and other embodiments of the invention are intended
to be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover,
although specific terms are employed herein, they are used only in
generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting
the description invention.
* * * * *