U.S. patent application number 11/582631 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-03 for snack food container.
Invention is credited to Edward Schapiro.
Application Number | 20070095828 11/582631 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37994925 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070095828 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schapiro; Edward |
May 3, 2007 |
Snack food container
Abstract
A device for holding a first container within a second, larger
container includes an endless band with a peripheral flanged lip
extending outwardly from a top edge and an arrangement of flap
members extending inwardly from a bottom edge of the band and
forming a continuous curvlinear edge with inwardly directed arcuate
sections surrounding a central opening. The device is removably
fitted over the top of the first container with the arcuate edge
sections engaging the underside of the container lid or an annular
ring on the threaded neck of the first container. The flanged lip
is sized, structured and configured for seated engagement on the
top rim of the larger container with the first container held
suspended within the interior of the larger container. A removable
lid covers the top opening of the larger container with the first
container held therein.
Inventors: |
Schapiro; Edward; (Boca
Raton, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT M. DOWNEY, P.A.
6751 N. FEDERAL HWY., SUITE 300
BOCA RATON
FL
33487
US
|
Family ID: |
37994925 |
Appl. No.: |
11/582631 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60731444 |
Oct 28, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 77/0493
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/023.83 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/00 20060101
A47G019/00 |
Claims
1. A device for holding a first container inside of a second
container having a rim surrounding an opening and a lid for
covering the opening, said device comprising: an endless band sized
and configured for receipt within the opening of the second
container; a flanged lip extending outwardly from said endless band
and being structured and disposed for seated engagement against the
rim of the second container; and at least one flap member extending
inwardly from said endless band and terminating at an inner edge
that at least partially surrounds a central opening, and said flap
member being structured and disposed for engaging, holding and
supporting the first container in suspended relation within the
second container with said flanged lip in seated engagement against
the rim of the second container.
2. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said endless band, said
flanged lip, and said at least one flap member are integrally
formed as a one piece unit.
3. The device as recited in claim 2 further comprising: a plurality
of said flap members.
4. The device as recited in claim 3 wherein said inner edge of each
of said plurality of flap members is curvelinear.
5. The device as recited in claim 4 wherein said endless band is
configured to be congruent with the opening of the second
container.
6. The device as recited in claim 2 wherein said flanged lip is
structured to remain in seated engagement against the rim of the
second container with the lid attached and covering the
opening.
7. A device for holding a first container inside of a second
container having a rim surrounding an opening and a lid for
covering the opening, said device comprising: an endless band sized
and configured for receipt within the opening of the second
container; a flanged lip extending outwardly from said endless band
and being structured and disposed for seated engagement against the
rim of the second container; and a plurality of flap members
extending inwardly from said endless band and terminating at inner
edges in surrounding relation to a central opening, and said
plurality of flap members being structured and disposed for
engaging, holding and supporting the first container in suspended
relation within the second container with said flanged lip in
seated engagement against the rim of the second container.
8. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein said endless band, said
flanged lip, and said plurality of flap members are integrally
formed as a one piece unit.
9. The device as recited in claim 8 wherein said inner edges of
said plurality of flap members are curvelinear.
10. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein said endless band is
configured to be congruent with the opening of the second
container.
11. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein said flanged lip is
structured to remain in seated engagement against the rim of the
second container with the lid attached and covering the opening.
Description
[0001] This application is based on provisional patent application
in Ser. No. 60/731,444 filed on Oct. 28, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to an assembly of containers for
holding two or more products and, more particularly, to a device
for suspending a first container within a second, larger container
so that products in each of the containers are visibly exposed
through a transparent wall structure of the larger container.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Packaging two or more products as a combined unit is an
effective marketing strategy for boosting sales and gaining market
share, particularly when the products are sold alongside similar
type competitive products of other manufacturers. In the past,
products have been packaged together using shrink wrap or similar
plastic film material which bundles the two or more products as
single unit. This is commonly done with cleaning products such as
dish detergent, laundry detergent, bath soap and shampoo. Various
food products, such as crackers and cheese are often packaged
together in a molded tray having separate recessed holding areas.
Sometimes, a promotional (i.e. free) item is packaged with the main
product in order to provide an incentive for consumers to purchase
the product. For instance, cereal products often include a toy
inside of the box with a reference to the toy surprise and a
picture presented on the box packaging. This is a well known
marketing strategy, aimed at children, and can be highly effective
to influence parents to purchase the particular cereal products
that include the toy inside.
[0006] While numerous packaging assemblies and methods are known
for combining two or more products together, as described above,
there remains a need for a container assembly which is adapted to
support an insert container within an outer main container in a
manner which visibly exposes all of the products and without
increasing the size or altering the form and structure of the main
container. In particular, there is a need for a container assembly
which provides a larger container for holding a food product, such
as a snack food product (e.g. potato chips, tortilla chips,
pretzels, etc.) and a smaller container which is sized to be
received through an open top of the larger container, and wherein a
device removably holds the smaller container in suspended relation
within the larger container so that a second food product in the
smaller container can be packaged within the larger container while
remaining isolated from the first food product.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Considering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the
present invention to provide a simple, one piece device which is
adapted to removably hold a smaller container within a larger
container, and wherein a first product is visibly contained within
the main, larger container and a second product is visibly
contained within the smaller container.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
simple, one piece device that removably attaches to the top of a
first container, and wherein the device includes a flanged lip
which seats on the top rim of a larger container, allowing the
first, smaller container to nest within the open top of the larger
container.
[0009] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a simple device that attaches to a first container and
allows the first container to nest within the open top of a larger
container, and wherein a first product is stored in a larger
container and a second product is stored within the smaller
container without increasing the size or altering the shape or
structure of either container.
[0010] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a simple device that allows a conventional smaller
container to be inserted and supported within a conventional larger
container so that two different products that are normally packaged
and sold separately can be combined within the packaging of the
larger container without altering the structure of either
container.
[0011] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a simple, one-piece device that attaches to a first,
smaller container, and wherein the device is adapted to allow the
smaller container to be received through an open top of a larger
container with the device seating against a top rim surrounding the
open top of the larger container while allowing a removable top to
be secured on the larger container.
[0012] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a simple, one-piece device that allows a smaller container
to be removably supported in packaged relation within a larger
container without changing the structure of either container, and
wherein packaging the products within each of the containers is
readily adapted to an existing assembly line process without
significant alteration or cost.
[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention are more readily apparent with reference to the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention is directed to a device for holding a
first container within a second, larger container. The device
includes an endless band with a peripheral flanged lip extending
outwardly from a top edge and an arrangement of flap members
extending inwardly from a bottom edge of the band and forming a
continuous curvlinear edge with inwardly directed arcuate sections
surrounding a central opening. The device is removably fitted over
the top of the first container with the arcuate edge sections
engaging the underside of the container lid or an annular ring on
the threaded neck of the first container. The flanged lip is sized,
structured and configured for seated engagement on the top rim of
the larger container with the first container held suspended within
the interior of the larger container. A removable lid covers the
top opening of the larger container with the first container held
therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present
invention, reference should be made to the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded front elevational view, in
partial section, showing a larger container, a smaller container
being received through an open top of the larger container, the
device of the present invention fitted to a top neck of the smaller
container, and the lids of both the larger container and the
smaller container removed;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view, in partial cut-away and
cross section, showing the device of the present invention holding
the smaller container in suspended relation within the larger
container with the lids of both containers securely fastened to the
tops of the respective containers;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a front, top perspective view showing the device
of the present invention fitted to the top neck of the smaller
container removed from the open top of the larger container;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the device of
the present invention removed from the top neck of the smaller
container;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a top plan view showing the device of the present
invention secured to the top neck of the smaller container; and
[0021] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded top perspective view showing
the device of the present invention secured to the top neck of the
smaller container and the lid separated from the top of the smaller
container.
[0022] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] Referring to the several views of the drawings, the
container holding device is shown and generally indicated as
10.
[0024] The holding device 10 is specifically structured for
supporting a first container 30 within a second, larger container
40, as shown in FIG. 2. The first container 30 may be formed of
plastic or glass and includes a main side wall structure 31, a neck
32 extending upwardly from the side wall structure 31 and
surrounding open top 33. The neck is preferably provided with outer
threads for screw attachment of a lid 38 in order to cover the open
top 33. The neck 32 further includes an annular ring 34 below the
threads. The annular ring 34 is conventional on many containers or
jars and is used in the assembly line process for lifting and/or
moving the container 30 when packaging a product therein.
[0025] The larger container 40 includes a transparent sidewall
structure 41 and a top neck 42 terminating at a top rim 46
surrounding an open top 44 that communicates with an interior of
the larger container 40. The size and shape of the top opening 44,
as defined by the surrounding neck 42, is sufficient to permit
passage of the smaller container 30 therethrough, as shown in FIGS.
1 and 2. The neck 42 of the larger container may be provided with
threads for screw attachment of a lid 48.
[0026] The device 10 of the present invention is formed as one
piece and removably attaches to the neck 32 of the smaller
container 30. With the device 10 attached, the smaller container 30
is dropped down through the open top 44 of the larger container 40.
The device 10 hangs from the top rim 46 of the larger container to
hold the smaller container 30 in suspended relation inside of the
larger container 40 as seen, in FIG. 2.
[0027] The device 10 is preferably molded of a substantially rigid,
yet somewhat flexible plastic material and includes an endless band
12 that is sized and configured to be generally congruent with the
top opening of the larger container 40, as defined by an inner
surface of the neck 42. It is noted, however, that the band 12 is
dimensioned to be received within the top opening 44 of the
container 40 so that the neck 42 of the container 40 surrounds the
band 12 when the device 10 is seated against the top rim 46. The
device 10 further includes an outwardly extending flanged lip 14
integrally formed on the top edge of the band 12. The flanged lip
14 is sized, structured and configured for mating, seated
engagement with the top rim 46 of the container 40 with a remainder
of the device 10 received within the top opening 44 of the
container and surrounded by the neck 42.
[0028] In order to removably attach the device 10 to the smaller
container 30, a plurality of inwardly directed flap members 16 are
integrally formed on the bottom edge of the band 12. The flap
members 16 extend inwardly and terminate at an edge 18. The edges
18 of the flap members surround a central opening 20 which is sized
for passage of the lid 38 and top neck 32 of the container 30
therethrough. The edges 18 of the flap members 16 are curvilinear
and form arcuate segments which bulge inwardly towards the center
of the central opening 20. When the device 10 is forced downwardly
onto the top of the container 30, the top lid 38 and threaded
exterior neck 32 brush against the innermost portions of the
curvelinear edges 18 of the flaps 16. The flaps 16 are structured
to flex in order to yield to the force of the edges 18 against the
sides of the lid 38 and exterior threaded neck 32 of the smaller
container 30, thereby allowing the lid and neck to pass upwardly
through the central opening 20 as the device 10 moves down around
the sides of the neck 32. The flap members 16 and curvlinear edges
18 are structured to snap around the annular ring 34 on the neck 32
of the container 30 so that the flap members 16 engage an underside
of the annular ring 34. The flap members 16 are sufficiently rigid
to support the weight of the filled (i.e. including contents)
smaller container 30 so that the container 30 is able to hang from
the flap members 16. Thus, when the device 10 is attached to the
smaller container 30, the assembly of the smaller container 30 and
the device 10 can be dropped through the open top 44 of the larger
container 40 until the flanged lip 14 seats against the top rim 46.
Once nested within the open top 44, the smaller container 30 is
suspended within the larger container 40, as shown in FIG. 2. The
top lid 48 of the larger container 40 can then be fastened to the
neck 42 to enclose and seal the contents, including the smaller
container 30, within the interior of the larger container 40.
[0029] In one preferred embodiment, the larger container 40 may be
used for packaging pretzels, potato chips, tortilla chips or other
dry snack products, while the smaller container 30 contains a dip
food product, such as mustard, sour cream mix, cheese dip or salsa.
Alternatively, the smaller container 30 may be used for packaging a
beverage or non-food product, such as a toy. The contents of both
the larger container 40 and the smaller container 30 may be any of
a wide variety of products and combination and are not limited to
those disclosed herein.
[0030] While the present invention has been shown and described in
accordance with a preferred and practical embodiment, it is
recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully
contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
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