U.S. patent application number 12/366424 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-20 for novel food container assembly.
Invention is credited to Patricia N. ERBERICH.
Application Number | 20090206092 12/366424 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40954168 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090206092 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ERBERICH; Patricia N. |
August 20, 2009 |
NOVEL FOOD CONTAINER ASSEMBLY
Abstract
The present invention is food container assembly comprising, a
container having a food compartment, a semi-flexible sheet fitted
within the container, a doily attached to one edge of the
semi-flexible sheet with the opposite edge attached to the
container and one or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent
sealed within an airtight enclosure affixed to the flexible sheet.
The doily is folded in a manner that maintains the doily under the
flexible sheet and away from the food such that when the flexible
sheet is withdrawn from the container the doily is extended across
an eating or food preparation surface.
Inventors: |
ERBERICH; Patricia N.; (La
Mesa, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE NATH LAW GROUP
112 South West Street
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
40954168 |
Appl. No.: |
12/366424 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61065892 |
Feb 15, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/556 ;
206/545; 229/407 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/20 20130101;
B65D 25/20 20130101; B65D 77/28 20130101; B65D 77/245 20130101;
B65D 2313/10 20130101; B65D 33/00 20130101; B65D 5/42 20130101;
B65D 81/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/556 ;
206/545; 229/407 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/24 20060101
B65D001/24; A45C 11/20 20060101 A45C011/20; B65D 1/00 20060101
B65D001/00 |
Claims
1. A food container assembly comprising; a container having a
sealable food compartment; a semi-flexible sheet fitted within said
container; a doily attached to one edge of said semi-flexible sheet
and an opposite edge attached to said container said doily folded
in a manner that maintains the doily under said flexible sheet and
away from said food to be housed in said container such that when
the flexible sheet is withdrawn from said container the doily is
extended across an eating or food preparation surface; and one or
more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within an
airtight enclosure affixed to said flexible sheet.
2. A food container assembly comprising: a sealable bag having an
interior compartment, an exterior surface, an opening end and a
means for affixing said container assembly to a container on said
exterior surface; a semi-flexible sheet fitted within said interior
compartment of said sealable bag; a doily attached to one edge of
said semi-flexible sheet and an opposite edge attached to said
sealable bag opposite said opening end said doily folded in a
manner that when the semi-flexible sheet is withdrawn from said
sealable bag the doily is extended across an eating or food
preparation surface; and one or more moistened towelettes or
sanitizing agent sealed within an airtight enclosure affixed to
said semi-flexible sheet.
3. A food container assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
scalable food compartment is a sealable bag or box.
4. A food container assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
semi-flexible sheet forms the base platform in said sealable food
compartment.
5. A food container assembly according to claim 3 wherein said
flexible sheet fits within the base of said food compartment
box.
6. A food container assembly according to claim 3 wherein said
flexible fits within and up against the front side of the food
compartment box.
7. A food container assembly according to claim 2 wherein said
sealable bag is affixed to a food container.
8. A food container assembly according to claim 7 wherein said
sealable bag is affixed within or on the exterior surface of a food
container.
9. A food container assembly according to claim 1 further
comprising one or more disposable food preparation or consumption
implements affixed to said semi-flexible sheet.
10. A food container assembly according to claim 1 further
comprising one or more adhesive pads having removable protective
covers for affixing items to said semi-flexible sheet.
11. A food container assembly according to claim 2 further
comprising one or more disposable food preparation or consumption
implements affixed to said semi-flexible sheet.
12. A food container assembly according to claim 2 further
comprising one or more adhesive pads having removable protective
covers for affixing items to said semi-flexible sheet.
13. A system for providing a clean eating or food preparation
surface comprising: A food container for carrying food having a
sealable food compartment; a semi-flexible sheet fitted within said
food container; a doily attached to one edge of said semi-flexible
sheet and an opposite edge attached to said food container said
doily folded in a manner that maintains the doily under said
flexible sheet and away from food housed in said container such
that when the flexible sheet is withdrawn from said container the
doily is extended across an eating or food preparation surface; and
one or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within
an airtight enclosure affixed to said flexible sheet.
14. A system for providing a clean eating surface according to
claim 13 further comprising one or more disposable food preparation
or consumption implements affixed to said semi-flexible sheet.
15. A system for providing a clean eating surface according to
claim 13 further comprising one or more adhesive pads having
removable protective covers for affixing items to said
semi-flexible sheet.
16. A method for providing a clean eating surface comprising the
steps of: providing a food container having a sealable food
compartment; affixing within said food container a semi-flexible
sheet having a doily attached to one edge of said semi-flexible
sheet and an opposite edge attached to said food container said
doily folded in a manner that maintains the doily under said
flexible sheet and away from food housed in said container such
that when the flexible sheet is withdrawn from said container the
doily is extended across an eating or food preparation surface; and
one or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within
an airtight enclosure affixed to said flexible sheet; and
extracting said semi-flexible sheet from said food container across
said eating or food preparation surface thereby depositing said
doily on said eating surface.
17. A method for providing a clean eating surface according to
claim 16 further comprising one or more disposable food preparation
or consumption implements affixed to said semi-flexible sheet.
18. A method for providing a clean eating or food preparation
surface according to claim 16 further comprising one or more
adhesive pads having removable protective covers for affixing items
to said semi-flexible sheet.
19. A method for providing a clean eating or food preparation
surface comprising the steps of: providing a food container for
housing food having affixed within or on its surface a container
assembly comprising a sealable bag having an interior compartment,
an exterior surface, and an opening end; a semi-flexible sheet
fitted within said interior compartment of said sealable bag; a
doily attached to one edge of said semi-flexible sheet and an
opposite edge attached to said sealable bag opposite said opening
end said doily folded in a manner that when the semi-flexible sheet
is withdrawn from said sealable bag the doily is extended across an
eating or food preparation surface; and one or more moistened
towelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within an airtight enclosure
affixed to said semi-flexible sheet; and extracting said
semi-flexible sheet from said sealable bag across said eating or
food preparation surface thereby depositing said doily on said
eating surface.
20. A method for providing a clean eating surface according to
claim 19 further comprising one or more disposable food preparation
or consumption implements affixed to said semi-flexible sheet.
21. A method for providing a clean eating surface according to
claim 19 further comprising one or more adhesive pads having
removable protective covers for affixing items to said
semi-flexible sheet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 61/065,892 filed on Feb. 15,
2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] (1) Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is a device for providing a clean
eating surface that is integral to or separately provided with a
food container. More particularly, to an assembly comprising a
doily folded in a configuration that when withdrawn from its
packaging or from the food container expands or can be expanded on
a surface providing a clean eating area.
[0004] (2) Description of Related Art
[0005] In the convenience food or prepared food industry edible
items are packaged to keep them sanitary before eating. Packaging
may also be used for a variety of other purposes including maintain
temperature and protect the food item from being compressed in a
bag containing a number of food items. They are often made of
Styrofoam, cardboard or plastic. However, these containers or boxes
can be relatively small and are made to fit the item that they are
intended to protect such as a hamburger. Other commercial providers
use wrappers or bags to encase their food protecting it from
contamination as well as to prevent liquids or oils from the food
getting on the hands or cloths. These wrappers are generally
sufficient to hold the food item they are designed to encase and
are too small to provide an effective surface for eating.
[0006] Many times these food items in their protective boxes or
wrappers are placed in a bag for easy transport by the purchaser.
When a clean surface is desired the bag can be torn and expanded to
cover a surface. However, this generally does not provide a
sufficiently clean surface because the process of tearing the bag
deposits undesired bacteria from unclean hands on the eating
surface. In addition, if the bag is torn unevenly it can make the
surface difficult to use effectively. The use of a napkin in
expanded form on a surface also has similar difficulty if the hands
are not cleaned before touching the napkin.
[0007] Consequently there is a need for a sanitary assembly that
provides a clean eating surface for prepared food, a way of
cleaning the hands before touching the food and other items
necessary for consuming the food.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is a food container assembly
comprising; a container having a food compartment; a semi-flexible
sheet fitted within the container and a doily attached to one edge
of said semi-flexible sheet and an opposite edge attached to said
container. The doily is folded in a manner that maintains the doily
under the flexible sheet and away from the food housed in the
container such that when the flexible sheet is withdrawn from the
container the doily is extended across an eating or food
preparation surface. The semi-flexible sheet may also have and one
or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within an
airtight enclosure affixed to its surface.
[0009] In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention the
sealable food compartment is a sealable bag or box. The
semi-flexible sheet may form a base platform in the container, fit
within the base or be placed along a side of the sealable box or
bag.
[0010] In one aspect of the invention the food container may be a
sealable bag having an interior compartment, an exterior surface,
an opening end and a means for affixing the container assembly to a
container on the exterior surface. The container comprises a
semi-flexible sheet fitted within the interior compartment of the
sealable bag. A doily is attached to one edge of the semi-flexible
sheet with the opposite edge attached to the sealable bag opposite
the opening end. One or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing
agent sealed within an airtight enclosure are affixed to the
semi-flexible sheet. The doily is folded in a manner such that when
the semi-flexible sheet is withdrawn from the sealable bag the
doily is extended across an eating or food preparation surface.
[0011] In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention the
sealable bag is affixed to, within or on a food container.
[0012] In another aspect of the present invention a system for
providing a clean eating surface is provided comprising; a food
container for carrying food having a sealable food compartment; a
semi-flexible sheet fitted within the food container; and a doily
attached to one edge of the semi-flexible sheet and an opposite
edge attached to the food container. The doily is folded in a
manner that maintains the doily under the flexible sheet and away
from the food housed in the container such that when the flexible
sheet is withdrawn the doily is extended across an eating or food
preparation surface. The semi-flexible sheet may have one or more
moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within an airtight
enclosure affixed to it surface.
[0013] In yet another aspect of the present invention a method for
providing a clean eating or food preparation surface is disclosed
comprising the steps of; providing a food container having a
sealable food compartment; affixing within the food container a
semi-flexible sheet having a doily attached to one edge of the
semi-flexible sheet and an opposite edge attached to the food
container. The doily is folded in a manner that maintains the doily
under the flexible sheet and away from the food housed in the
container such that when the flexible sheet is withdrawn the doily
is extended across an eating or food preparation surface; and one
or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within an
airtight enclosure affixed to the flexible sheet and extracting the
semi-flexible sheet from the food container and depositing the
doily on a surface to provide a clean eating or food preparation
surface.
[0014] In still another aspect of the present invention a method
for providing a clean eating or food preparation surface is
disclosed comprising the steps of providing a food container for
housing food having affixed within or on its surface a container
assembly comprising a sealable bag having an interior compartment,
an exterior surface, and an opening end; a semi-flexible sheet
fitted within the interior compartment of the sealable bag; a doily
attached to one edge of the semi-flexible sheet and an opposite
edge attached to the sealable bag opposite the opening end the
doily folded in a manner that when the semi-flexible sheet is
withdrawn from the scalable bag the doily is extended across an
eating surface; and one or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing
agent sealed within an airtight enclosure affixed to the
semi-flexible sheet and extracting the semi-flexible sheet from the
sealable bag and depositing the doily on the eating or food
preparation surface.
[0015] In one embodiment any of these aspects of the present
invention the semi-flexible sheet may further comprise one or more
disposable food preparation or consumption implements affixed to it
surface. In addition, the semi-flexible sheet may further provide
one or more adhesive pads having removable protective covers for
affixing items to the flexible sheet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a representation of one embodiment of the present
invention wherein the food container is a box or carton (A) is a
perspective view of the semi-flexible sheet and doily affixed
within the front side of the food compartment; (B) shows the
removal of the semi-flexible sheet from the food container
releasing the doily; and (C) shows the semi-flexible sheet with
doily in its fully extended form.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a representation of another embodiment of the
present invention wherein the food container is a sealable bag (A)
is a perspective view of the semi-flexible sheet and doily affixed
within the sealable bag; (B) shows the opening of the sealable bag
exposing the semi-flexible sheet (C) shows the removal of the
semi-flexible sheet from the food container releasing the doily;
and (D) shows the semi-flexible sheet with doily in its fully
extended form.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a representation of another embodiment of the
present invention wherein the food container is a bag (A) is a
perspective view of the semi-flexible sheet and doily affixed to
the exterior of the bag; (B) shows the removal of the semi-flexible
sheet from the container holding the invention and extending the
doily therefrom; (C) shows the removal of the semi-flexible sheet
from the food container releasing the doily; and (D) shows the
semi-flexible sheet with doily in its fully extended form.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein have the
same meaning as are commonly understood by one of skill in the art
to which this invention belongs. All patents, patent applications
and publications referred to throughout the disclosure herein are
incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event that
there is a plurality of definitions for a term herein, those in
this section prevail.
[0020] The term "attached" or "affixed" as used herein refers to
any means by which the doily can be connected to the semi-flexible
sheet and the food container that prevents detachment. Preferably
the doily is attached to these elements by an adhesive.
[0021] The present invention is a food container assembly
comprising; a container having a food compartment; a semi-flexible
sheet fitted within the container and a doily attached to one edge
of said semi-flexible sheet and an opposite edge attached to said
container. The doily is folded in a manner that maintains the doily
under the flexible sheet and away from the food housed in the
container such that when the flexible sheet is withdrawn from the
container the doily is extended across an eating or food
preparation surface. The semi-flexible sheet may also have and one
or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within an
airtight enclosure affixed to its surface.
Container
[0022] The food container assembly 10 of the present invention may
be provided for a variety of food packaging enclosures including
soft sided flexible bag containers 20 or containers having
semi-rigid walls 18. Soft-sided flexible bags 20 include the
commonly used paper or plastic bags having an opening on one end
for receiving food items (FIG. 3). This also includes vacuum sealed
or cellophane sealed containers that hold a variety of prepackaged
food items such as cheese and crackers, fruit and vegetables,
sandwiches and the like (FIG. 2). The semi-rigid containers 18
include those used by the convenience food industry made of
cardboard or Styrofoam (FIG. 1). One particularly common type of
fast food container are those used for housing hamburgers that have
an upper and lower portions hinged together such that when in the
closed conformation form an enclosure for housing prepared food
items.
[0023] The size of the containers in which the present device may
be utilized may vary depending on the size or amount of food they
are intended to contain. For example, a soft-sided flexible bag 20
made of plastic containing two cupcakes may be provided with the
food container assembly of the present invention (see FIG. 2). In
addition, a semi-rigid box 18 made of cardboard for a dozen donuts
may have the device of the present invention secured on the front
interior side of the container (FIG. 3). Correspondingly, the size
of the clean surface desired will depend on the amount of size of
the food provided in the container. For a plastic bag containing
two cupcakes a doily sufficient to provide a lap sized area may be
sufficient, for example an area of about one to about two square
feet. However, for a cardboard box containing a dozen donuts a
surface that covers a small tabletop may be sufficient, for example
about four to about nine square feet.
[0024] The food container assembly 10 of the present invention may
be provided in a variety of enclosures but is preferably in a
sanitary sealed package that may be affixed to or within a food
container. The enclosure preferably has an easy access top or end
that allows the semi-flexible sheet 12 to be removed extending the
doily 14 over the eating surface. In another preferred
configuration the assembly is housed in a pocket wherein the
semi-flexible sheet 12 is easily accessible allowing it to be drawn
from the pocket extending the doily 14 over the eating surface (see
FIG. 1). In yet another configuration the semi-flexible sheet 12
acts as a semi-rigid base of the food container 18 wherein the top
of the sheet is in contact with the food and the doily 14 is
maintained on the bottom side of the sheet away from the food. When
the semi-flexible sheet 12 is withdrawn from the food container the
top side retains the food while the doily 14 below is extended over
the eating surface.
Semi-Flexible Sheet
[0025] The semi-flexible sheet 12 may be made of a variety of
materials, including plastic, cardboard, or other similar material
that protects the doily from contacting the food in the container
18. One end of the semi-flexible sheet 12 in attached to one end of
the doily 14 so that when the sheet 12 is withdrawn from the
packaging the doily 14 is extended over the eating surface. The
semi-rigid sheet 12 may perform the functions of providing a
semi-rigid support for food that may be placed on the surface of
the sheet, as a storage location for other items such as towelettes
16 or merely act as a pull-tab for the doily 14.
[0026] The size of the flexible sheet 12 will depend generally on
its function. If it is used as a support for the food in the
container 18 its size will be sufficient for that purpose and about
the size of the area occupied by the food item or items. For
example, if the semi-flexible sheet 12 is provided in a food
container housing two cup cakes the sheet may have the dimensions
occupied by the diameters of the cupcakes. More specifically, if
the largest diameter of one cup cake is 3 inches the semi-flexible
sheet 12 might be 3 inches in width by 6 inches in length. If the
flexible sheet 12 is to be utilized as a pull-tab to extend the
doily 14 over the eating surface it may be substantially smaller.
For example, if the flexible sheet 12 were being provided to extend
a doily 14 from a cardboard or plastic food container 18 it may
have the dimensions of the front side of the container such as
about 2 inches in width and 4.5 inches in length.
[0027] A number of items that may be used with or for the food in
the container 18 may be provided on the semi-flexible sheet 12. For
example, prior to touching the food the user may consider washing
his/her hands. A moistened towelette 16 or sanitizing agent sealed
in an airtight enclosure may be affixed to one side of the
semi-flexible sheet 12. Correspondingly, other items including food
preparation and consumption implements maybe provided such as for
example disposable utensils, a stir stick 24, a spreading stick 24,
straw and adhesive pads 22 for affixing condiment cups or other
items to the semi-flexible sheet 12. These items are preferably
provided on the side of the semi-flexible sheet 12 opposite the
food items.
Doily
[0028] The doily 14 may be made of a variety of materials that
protect the food from contact with the eating or food preparation
surface and that prevents food from leaking through the doily 14. A
variety of materials are available commercially that provide these
barrier capabilities including plastics and treated papers such as
polymer coated papers. Preferably these materials are sufficiently
thin so that when folded the doily 14 does not occupy a substantial
volume when affixed within a food container 18.
[0029] The manner in which the doily 14 is folded will depend on
the dimensions of the food container 18 in which it is to be
affixed. Preferably the doily 14, which is attached at one end to
the food container 18, is folded in such a way that when the
semi-flexible sheet 12 attached to the other end of the doily 14 is
withdrawn from the food container 18 the doily 14 unfolds covering
the eating surface. This is done primarily by folding the doily 14
in an accordion configuration to prevent the doily 14 from binding
when the semi-flexible sheet 12 is extracted from the food
container 18. In one example the center of one edge of the doily 14
is affixed to the center of the opening of the food container 18.
The portions of the doily 14 that extend beyond each side of the
container opening are each folded inward until the doily 14 has the
same or slightly smaller dimension as the opening of the food
container 18. The doily 14 is then folded in an accordion
configuration with each fold having a dimension slightly smaller
then area in the food container 18 it is intended to occupy. For
easy access the semi-flexible sheet 12 may have a pull tab,
textured finger grip or aperture for gripping during
withdrawal.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows one preferred configuration for insertion
within a convenience food box 18. The food container assembly 10 is
affixed within the front side of the box. When opened the
semi-flexible sheet 12 gripping means is visible. One end of the
doily 14 is affixed to the semi-flexible sheet 12 and the other is
affixed to the food container assembly package 10. When the
semi-flexible sheet 12 is extracted from the package the doily 14
begins to unfold. In its fully extended length the side of the
doily 14 can then be unfolded increasing the width of the clean
eating or food preparation surface.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows another preferred configuration used for
prepared food sealed in cellophane or plastic bags 20. In this
configuration the semi-flexible sheet 12 acts as a solid support on
which to place the food. The doily 14 is affixed at one end to the
based of the semi-flexible sheet 12 on one side of the bag while
the other end is affixed to the opposite side. The doily 14 is
folded in an accordion configuration with the semi-flexible sheet
12 extending beyond the folds on the end of the plastic bag
indicated for opening. When the semi-flexible sheet 12 is withdrawn
the doily 14 unfolds. In its fully extended length the side of the
doily 14 can then be unfolded increasing the width of the clean
eating or food preparation surface.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows another preferred configuration used for
prepared food placed in a paper or plastic bag 20. In this
configuration the packet housing, the semi-flexible sheet 12 and
doily 14 is adhered to the surface of the bag 20. The pocket may be
placed on the exterior surface or on the interior of the bag 20.
The doily 14 is affixed at one end to the base of the semi-flexible
sheet 12 on one side of the packet while the other end is affixed
to the opposite side. The doily 14 is folded in an accordion
configuration with the semi-flexible sheet 12 extending beyond the
folds on the end of the packet indicated for opening. When the
semi-flexible sheet 12 is withdrawn the doily 14 unfolds. In its
fully extended length the side of the doily 14 can then be unfolded
increasing the width of the clean eating or food preparation
surface.
* * * * *