U.S. patent application number 11/558169 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-10 for snack container.
Invention is credited to Christian Tremblay, Yvon Tremblay.
Application Number | 20070102308 11/558169 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38002646 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070102308 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tremblay; Christian ; et
al. |
May 10, 2007 |
SNACK CONTAINER
Abstract
A first portion and a second portion form a container which can
hold objects. The first portion and second portion is connected
using screw threads. A lid can be utilized to seal one portion,
enabling different objects to be placed in one portion of the
container and not be indirect contact with the other portion of the
container. A snack food is placed into one portion and a toy in the
other portion. A lid handle is folded inward and is utilized to
remove the lid and obtain the object in that portion of the
container.
Inventors: |
Tremblay; Christian; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Tremblay; Yvon; (Los Angeles,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG TRAURIG LLP
2450 COLORADO AVENUE, SUITE 400E
SANTA MONICA
CA
90404
US
|
Family ID: |
38002646 |
Appl. No.: |
11/558169 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60736072 |
Nov 9, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/223 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3205 20130101;
B65D 11/04 20130101; B65D 51/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/223 |
International
Class: |
B65D 71/00 20060101
B65D071/00 |
Claims
1. A container for a combination of a novelty item and snack item
comprising: a non-edible first portion with an open end; a
non-edible second portion with an open end; an inter-engaging
formation at the open end of the first portion and an
inter-engaging formation at the open end of the second portion to
connect the first portion to the second portion; and a divider
separating the first and second portions.
2. The container in claim 1 wherein the divider is a lid sealing
the open end of the first portion.
3. The lid in claim 2 further comprising a lid handle to remove the
lid from the first portion.
4. The container in claim 1 further comprising a snack item
enclosed in the first portion.
5. The container in claim 1 further comprising a novelty item
enclosed in the second portion.
6. The container in claim 1 wherein the container is in the shape
of a sphere.
7. The container in claim 1 wherein the inter-engaging formations
are screw threads.
8. The container in claim 1 wherein the formation connector
comprises an internal thread of a screw thread on the one portion
and an external thread or screw thread on the second portion, the
internal thread and the external thread being for mating
engagement.
9. The container in claim 1 wherein the lid comprises aluminum.
10. The container in claim 1 wherein the lid comprises flexible
plastic.
11. The container in claim 1 further comprising a plastic wrap to
seal the container.
12. The container in claim 11 wherein the plastic wrap comprises a
perforated opening strip.
13. The container in claim 11 wherein the plastic wrap comprises a
small groove to remove the plastic wrap.
14. The container in claim 1 further wherein the divider is a
separator cup.
15. The container in claim 1 further wherein the one portion is a
bottle for liquid.
16. A container for a combination of a novelty item and snack item
comprising: a first portion with an open end; a second portion with
an open end; a screw thread at the open end of the first portion
and a screw thread at the open end of the second portion to connect
the first portion to the second portion; and a divider separating
the first and second portion.
17. A container for a combination of a novelty item and snack item
comprising: a partially non-edible first portion with an open end;
a partially non-edible second portion with an open end; a screw
thread at the open end of the first portion and a screw thread at
the open end of the second portion to connect the first portion to
the second portion; and a divider separating the first and second
portion.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the b of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Application Serial No. 60/736,072, filed Nov. 9, 2005,
the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] This application relates generally to a toy and snack
product, and more particularly, to a container containing both a
combination of both a snack and a toy.
[0004] 2. General Background
[0005] Small novelty items, toys and snack items are generally sold
in containers. A combination of a snack item and a toy or other
novelty item is more marketable. By offering two different items,
the appeal to children is greater.
[0006] One problem with selling a product containing both a food
item and a novelty item is the need for separation of the two items
for safety and health concerns. The aim of the present disclosure
is to provide an easy and sufficient way to separate the two
items.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a container
comprises a first portion, which can be a half and a second portion
which can be a half. The first half and second half can be combined
to form a container that is able to hold objects. The first and
second half contain a screw thread to enable the halves to be
placed together and make the container.
[0008] In another aspect, a lid is placed on the second half
sealing the second half from the first half. Consequently, the
objects in the second half do not come into contact with the
objects in the first half.
[0009] In another aspect, the lid further comprises a lid handle.
The lid handle enables the lid to be removed from the second half
of the container to enable access to the objects therein.
[0010] Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide both a toy
and a snack item in a container by providing a first half of a
container with a toy in the first half; providing a second half of
a container with a snack item; sealing the second half with a lid;
and screwing the first half to the second half utilizing a screw
thread to make the container.
[0011] In another aspect of the disclosure, a container can be used
to store small objects once the lid has been removed and the
container is emptied.
DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a container holding both a
novelty item and a snack item.
[0013] FIG. 2 depicts a side cross view of a container holding both
a novelty item and a snack item.
[0014] FIG. 3 depicts a side cross view of a container in an
unscrewed position.
[0015] FIG. 4 depicts a view of a first half and a second half of
the container.
[0016] FIG. 5 depicts a view of the container further comprising a
sealed plastic wrap packaging.
[0017] FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of the container.
[0018] FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment of the container.
[0019] FIG. 8 depicts a bottle embodiment of the container.
[0020] FIG. 9 depicts another bottle embodiment of the
container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure. In
this embodiment, a container 100 is in the shape of a ball.
[0022] The shape of the container 100 may be a cube, cone or any
other shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the ball
container is 2.5 inches. The diameter of the ball is not limited to
this size. Other embodiments have a diameter of 5 inches or can be
smaller than 2.5 inches. The container can be of any size or shape.
There are two or more components to form the container. In
particular there can be several components forming the outer
surface of the container, and there can be several compartments in
the container.
[0023] FIG. 2 depicts a side cross view of a container holding both
a novelty item and a snack item. The container 100 comprises a
first half 105 and second half 110. The first half 105 and the
second half 110 comprise an open end 115. In exemplary embodiments,
the container is constructed of non-edible material. For example,
the container may be constructed with plastic, nylon, metal, or
ceramics. Of course other materials are also contemplated to be
used in construction of the container.
[0024] In other embodiments, the container is constructed of
partially non-edible material. For example, the connecting
attachment of two halves may be made of non-edible material, while
the remaining half comprise edible material.
[0025] Turning now to FIG. 3, in exemplary embodiments, the first
half 105 and the second half 110 are connected at the open ends 115
using a screw thread 120. Use of a screw thread 120 ensures closure
of the container and helps maintain freshness of any food snack in
the container.
[0026] In some other forms of the disclosure there may not be a
screw thread. There is some other positive engaging formations to
ensure that the different halves are held together. This can be a
clip formation and/or a bayonet type configuration. There can be
the same positive and/or inter-engaging and/or interlocking
formations, namely where there are 3 or 4 or more parts forming the
container. In a closed form the engagement of the parts is positive
and/or interactive and/or interlocking to prevent inadvertent
separation without human interaction. Preferably some kind of twist
action is necessary to effect the desired separation of at least
some of the components.
[0027] A particular embodiment of the present disclosure is
depicted in FIG. 4, comprising a lid 125 sealing the open end 115
of the first half 105 of the container, separating the second half
110 from the first half 105. The lid 125 may comprise flexible
plastic, aluminum, or a specially treated paper layer.
[0028] In particular embodiments, the lid 125 is a flat seal across
the open end 115 of the first half 105 of the container. In other
embodiments, the lid 125 may include an cup extending into the
second half 110. This will enable a larger object to be placed in
the first half 105 of the container.
[0029] The sealed first half 105 contains a food snack. In
particular embodiments, the first half 105 contains candies, bubble
gums, chocolate, yogurt, cheese, crackers, or other similar
items.
[0030] In particular embodiments, the lid 125 further comprises a
lid handle 130. The lid handle 130 is folded inward and is used to
pull open the lid 125 enabling access to the first half 105 of the
container 100.
[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the second half 110 of the
container 100 contains a small object like a toy surprise. In other
embodiments, unassembled toy and instructions, small gifts,
surprises, stickers figurines, souvenirs, or electronic devices may
be contained in the second half 110.
[0032] In FIG. 5 there is an exemplary embodiment wherein the
container is sealed using utilizing a plastic wrap 200. The plastic
wrap 200 secures the inside content of the container 100 to be sure
that it has not been tampered with, as well as preventing the first
half 105 and second half 110 to be opened by anyone. The plastic
wrap 200 may cover the whole container 100 or cover the container
100 partially to seal the connection between the first half 105 and
the second half 110.
[0033] In a particular embodiment, utilization of a plastic wrap
200 also provides space for brand identification, promotion,
nutritional information, bar code and other useful information. On
one side of the plastic wrap 200, there is a perforated strip 210
that goes from top to bottom of plastic wrap 200. On top and bottom
of the strip there is a small groove 205 to grab the packaging to
tear the entire strip easily, and removing the plastic wrap 200
from the container 100.
[0034] Another embodiment of the container 100 is depicted in FIG.
6. In this embodiment, the container 100 comprises a first half 300
and second half 320. The first half 300 and the second half 320 are
connected using a screw thread attachment. In this embodiment, a
separator cup 310 seals the first half 300 from the second half
320. The separator cup 310 extends into the second half 320. This
enables a larger novelty item 305, such as a toy, to be placed into
the first half 300.
[0035] The separator cup 310 still allows for a food material 315
to be placed into the second half 320 of the container. In
exemplary embodiments, the food material 315 is chocolate and is
shaped to fit in line with the separator cup 310.
[0036] This container material product can be made for instance of
plastic, molded stock paper, or cardboard.
[0037] The wrap 200 can be plastic shrink wrap packaging on the
outside of the ball so that it is sealed by a plastic shrink wrap.
This also provides space for brand identification, promotion,
nutritional information, or bar code.
[0038] In FIG. 7 there is shown another way to separate the food
from the toy/object, in which the food/snack is inside a sealed
plastic bag 330 that fits the half cup 300, and the toy/object is
inside a sealed plastic bag 335 that fit the half cup 320.
[0039] The product can apply to a ball shape as well as to any
other shape of form imaginable, such as box, cone, bag, pyramid, or
bottle.
[0040] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 & 9 there is a bottle version
which is a plastic container in a shape of a bottle. It opens up,
by unscrewing the top portion 400 and bottom portion 402 by a
quarter of a turn. The easy opening and closing of container 400
and 402 is achieved by an internal screw thread 404 on container
400, that slides into and with the corresponding external screw
thread root 406 of container 402.
[0041] The top portion 400 is a small bottle container, with a
bottle cap 408 and a bottle bottom 410. The bottle contains liquid
such as a soft drink, milk, chocolate milk, drinkable yogurt,
smoothies, juice, or water.
[0042] The bottom portion 402 is a non-sealed container that screw
on the top part 400. It contains a small object 412, or food. There
can also be an unassembled toy and assembly instruction, small
gift, surprises, stickers, figurines, souvenirs, electronic devices
such as small radio, watches, games, soft candies, hard candies,
bubble gums, chocolate, yogurt, cheese, gelatin, crackers,
lollipops, candies, bubble gum, or mixed nuts. This can provide for
different combinations which can be additive to liquid in the other
portions.
[0043] The diameter is 21/2 inches by 61/4, containing 5 fluid
ounces of liquid. The bottle shape can be of any form
imaginable.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 9 there is a seal plastic shrink wrap
packaging. The outside of the bottle is sealed by a plastic shrink
wrap (420. The plastic packaging wrap secures the inside content of
the bottle to be sure that it has not been tampered with. This also
prevents or hinders parts 400 and 402 from being opened by anyone
in an authorized manner. It also provide space for brand
identification, promotion, nutritional information, bar code. On
one side of the plastic packaging wrap, there is a perforated strip
422 that goes from top to bottom of the packaging. On top and
bottom of the strip there is a small groove 424 to grab the
packaging with fingernails in order to tear the entire strip easily
with the fingers, and removing the packaging from the bottle.
[0045] While the above description contains many particulars, these
should not be consider limitations on the scope of the invention,
but rather a demonstration of embodiments thereof. For instance
instead of the portions being halves of more or less equal size
they can be different relative sizes. The snack item can be
differen things including liquids and partial liquids and fresh
produce.
[0046] The composition, method for making and uses disclosed herein
include any combination of the different species or embodiments
disclosed. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the
invention in any way be limited by the above description. The
various elements of the claims and claims themselves may be
combined any combination, in accordance with the teachings of the
present disclosure, which includes the claims.
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