U.S. patent application number 13/890978 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for snack food dispenser packaging.
This patent application is currently assigned to JLJ, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is JLJ, INC.. Invention is credited to John L. Janning.
Application Number | 20140263374 13/890978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51522988 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140263374 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Janning; John L. |
September 18, 2014 |
SNACK FOOD DISPENSER PACKAGING
Abstract
An elongated container with an elevator to position items near
the opening of a container for easy access. The elevator includes a
base and a member for engaging and disengaging the inner sidewall
of the container depending upon the orientation of the container.
Items are stored inside the container, on the base of the elevator.
After removal of a portion of the items from the container, the
opening of the container is covered, and the container is inverted.
With the container in an inverted position, the elevator slides
freely within the container and moves the remaining items toward
the covered opening of the container. When the container is
returned to its upright position, the member engages the inner
sidewall of the container, preventing movement of the elevator
within the container, such that the remaining items are easily
accessible from the opening of the container.
Inventors: |
Janning; John L.;
(Bellbrook, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JLJ, INC. |
Bellbrook |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
JLJ, Inc.
Bellbrook
OH
|
Family ID: |
51522988 |
Appl. No.: |
13/890978 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61793276 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
|
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|
61802701 |
Mar 17, 2013 |
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61804261 |
Mar 22, 2013 |
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61804699 |
Mar 24, 2013 |
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61805116 |
Mar 25, 2013 |
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61807657 |
Apr 2, 2013 |
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61807657 |
Apr 2, 2013 |
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61809383 |
Apr 7, 2013 |
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61812378 |
Apr 16, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/626 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/005
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/626 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/06 20060101
B65D025/06 |
Claims
1. A snack food container, comprising: a cylindrical body having a
closed bottom, an open top, and an inner sidewall, a removable
cover for the top of the container; and an elevator movable in the
cylindrical body for supporting a stack of food items stored inside
the container and for moving the stack of food items toward the
open top of the container upon inversion of the container after
food items are removed for consumption, such that the stack of food
items in the container remains readily accessible near the top of
the container as food items are consumed, the elevator including
means for interacting with the inner sidewall of the container to
prevent movement of the elevator in the container when the
container is in an upright position when the cover is removed from
the container and the food items are being consumed, and to allow
the elevator to move freely in the container when the container is
in an inverted position with the cover placed over the top of the
container.
2. The snack food container of claim 1, further comprising a lining
disposed on the inner sidewall of the container, the lining having
periodic disturbances, and wherein the means for interacting with
the inner sidewall of the container comprises tabs or ears
extending from the elevator that engage the disturbances of the
lining when the container is in an upright position, and that
disengage the disturbances of the lining when the container is in
an inverted position.
3. The snack food container of claim 2, wherein the lining
comprises a plurality of corrugations.
4. (canceled)
5. The snack food container of claim 1, wherein the elevator
includes a base provided with at least one air vent hole.
6. The snack food container of claim 1, wherein the elevator
includes a base and a sidewall extending from the base.
7. The snack food container of claim 1, wherein the container has a
smooth inner sidewall, and the means for interacting with the inner
sidewall of the container comprises a least one rubber tipped
member pivotally attached to the elevator, wherein, when the
container is in the upright position, the rubber tipped member is
angled downwardly against the inner sidewall of the container so as
to prevent movement of the elevator from the top to the bottom of
the container and, when the container is in the inverted position,
the rubber tipped member is angled upwardly against the inner
sidewall of the container so as to allow free movement of the
elevator from the bottom to the top of the container.
8. A snack food container with an open top, a removable cover for
the top of the container, and a contractible space inside the
container for storing a consumable food product, the container
comprising a movable platform that slides freely inside the
container beneath the food product in a direction from bottom to
top, such that, after consumption of a portion of the food product,
inversion of the container with the cover secured over the top
causes the food product to move toward the top and the movable
platform to rest against the food product remaining in the
container and limit the air space surrounding the remaining food
product, thereby preserving freshness of the remaining food
product.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Nos. 61/793,276, filed Mar. 15, 2013; 61/802,701, filed
Mar. 17, 2013; 61/804,261, filed Mar. 22, 2013; 61/804,699, filed
Mar. 24, 2013; 61/805,116, filed Mar. 25, 2013; 61/807,657, filed
Apr. 2, 2013; 61/809,383, filed Apr. 7, 2013; and 61/812,378, filed
Apr. 16, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated by
reference in their entirety herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus to dispense
items, and more specifically, to an apparatus for dispensing snack
food stored in containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Snack foods, such as cookies, potato chips, flavored
crackers, etc., come in a variety of packages. Some of these
packages are unusual, as is the packaging of Pringles.RTM. potato
chips. While this design is unusual--packaged in a cardboard
tube--it is also non-desirable from the consumer point of view. As
the potato chips or other snack are `stacked` in a large pile
inside a round cardboard canister, or tube, when several dozen or
so of the snack are consumed, it is necessary to either reach in
with a hand down the tube to retrieve more or simply pour them out
in a dish. This is inconvenient and difficult, and can result in
damage to the food. Moreover, as the food is consumed, the food
inside the container is replaced with air, which causes the
remaining food to become stale.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the
prior art by providing a movable elevator platform inside a
canister, tube or other elongated container to keep the food or
other items in an easily accessible position in the container, i.e,
near the opening of the container, as the food is consumed. The
movable elevator slides within the container in a one-way manner to
effectively reduce the volume of the container as the food or other
items are consumed, and to move the food or other items toward the
opening of the container. In one embodiment, the container has a
corrugated liner on the inner wall of the container, and the
movable elevator platform has tabs that engage the corrugations of
the liner when the container is oriented in an upright position,
and disengage the corrugations when the container is in an inverted
position. Thus, after food or other items are removed from the
container, the user simply covers the container opening and inverts
the container, thereby using gravity to move the elevator (and the
food or other items resting on the elevator) toward the opening of
the container. When the container is returned to an upright
position, the elevator remains at the elevated position, and the
food or other items resting on the elevator are now easily
accessible from the opening of the container. Moreover, the reduced
internal storage volume, caused by movement of the elevator, limits
the amount of air in the container, and helps to keep food
fresh.
[0005] In another embodiment, the container has an embossed paper
liner, rather than a corrugated line, on the inner wall. Any inner
surface with periodic disturbances, such as raised areas or
blemishes, will work in conjunction with the elevator of the
present invention.
[0006] In yet another embodiment, the container has a smooth inner
wall, and the elevator has a single or multiple rubber tipped tabs
which engage the wall when the container is in an upright position,
and disengage the wall when the container is in an inverted
position.
[0007] In still another embodiment, the elevator is freely movable
in the container in both directions, and the container is simply
placed in an inverted position to limit the amount of air
surrounding the contained food, thereby keep the food fresh during
storage.
[0008] The elevator of the present invention is preferably provided
with a vent hole to assist in equalizing air pressure on it from
both sides, when the elevator moves in the container.
[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following description of the invention, which
refers to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIGS. 1A and 1B are top and bottom perspective views,
respectively, of the elevator of the present invention with tabs
that interact with periodic disturbances, such as corrugations, on
the inner wall of a container.
[0011] FIG. 2A is a schematic view of the elevator of FIGS. 1A and
1B in a container with a corrugated liner (shown in FIG. 2C) in an
inverted position with the tabs disengaged from the corrugations
(such that the elevator moves freely); and FIG. 2B shows the same
with container in an upright position with the tabs engaging the
corrugation (such that the elevator is fixed in position and the
items to be consumed are disposed at the top of the container).
[0012] FIGS. 3A and 3B are top and bottom perspective views,
respectively, of the elevator of the present invention with rubber
tipped tabs.
[0013] FIG. 4A is a schematic view of the elevator of FIGS. 3A and
3B in a container with a smooth inner sidewall in an inverted
position with the rubber tipped tabs angled such that the elevator
moves freely; and FIG. 4B shows the same with container in an
upright position with the rubber tipped tabs angled so as to engage
the smooth sidewall and prevent movement of the elevator within the
container.
[0014] FIG. 5A illustrates a single rubber tipped tab of an
elevator, and FIG. 5B is a bottom view of an elevator with a single
rubber tipped tab.
[0015] FIG. 6A is a schematic view of the single rubber tipped
elevator of FIGS. 5A and 5B in a container with a smooth inner
sidewall in an inverted position with the single rubber tipped tab
angled such that the elevator moves freely; and FIG. 6B shows the
same with container in an upright position with the rubber tipped
tab angled so as to engage the smooth sidewall and prevent movement
of the elevator within the container.
[0016] FIGS. 7A and 7B show a side perspective and bottom view,
respectively, of an elevator with tabs cut into the sidewall of the
container, and bent down.
[0017] FIG. 8A shows a side perspective view of an elevator without
tabs or ears that is free to move in an elongated container in both
directions, and FIG. 8B shows an elongated container with such an
elevator, filled with doughnuts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The present invention provides a simple, low cost to
reposition items inside an elongated container as the items are
consumed, so that the remaining items are easily accessed from the
opening of the container.
[0019] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate one embodiment of a movable
elevator 10 of the present invention. The elevator may be formed of
paperboard, plastic or any other lightweight, inexpensive material.
As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the elevator 10 includes a platform or
cup 11 provided with tabs 20. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the
platform or cup 11 includes at least one sidewall 12, preferably
non-tapered, extending from a base 13. Sidewall 12 must be
sufficiently tall, preferably about 2 inches, so that the elevator
does not turn sideways in the container. The elevator 10 also
includes at least one tongue or tab 20 (two tabs are shown in the
embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B) which is attached to the base 13
with a staple, glue or other means, and has a tip that extends
radially outwardly slightly beyond base 13. To assist in the
movement of the elevator upon inversion of the container, described
below, the elevator may be provided with a weight, for example, a
metal disc, or the elevator cup itself can be made of metal or a
heavy plastic.
[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in one embodiment, the
elevator 10 is placed inside an elongated container with a
corrugated liner 102 (shown in FIG. 2C), such that the tabs 20
cooperate with the corrugations of the liner as described below.
Liner 102 may be formed of corrugated cardboard, an embossed sheet
of paper or cardboard, or any liner with periodic disturbances or
raised areas. In one preferred embodiment, a corrugated liner with
"E" flutes is used. When the container is inverted, as illustrated
in FIG. 2A, the tabs 20 do not engage the corrugations and slide
unimpeded down the sidewall of the container, allowing gravity to
freely move the elevator and the items placed on the elevator
toward the opening at the top of the container. When the container
is then flipped back to its original upright position, the tabs 20
engage the corrugations on the liner of the container, preventing
the elevator 10 from moving downward, such that the items to be
consumed are now easily reachable at the top of the container, and
are stored in a compacted volume in the container without excess
air to keep them fresh. A thin piece of foam rubber or other
cushion may be placed in the cup of the elevator to cushion the
items from breakage when the container is turned upside down and
back upright.
[0021] The elevator of the present invention may also be used with
a container without a corrugated liner, i.e., with a smooth inner
surface. In this embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the elevator
10 includes a plurality of tabs 20 with rubber coated tips 21. The
rubber should be somewhat sticky. Because of the angle, as shown in
FIG. 4A, the rubber coated tips 21 slide easily against the smooth
inner surface of the tube in the inverted position, and, as shown
in FIG. 4B, resist movement when the container is in the upright
position.
[0022] The elevator of the present invention can also be formed of
a single rubber coated tab 21, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In this
embodiment, the elevator base 13 may include a recessed region 14
on its underside to receive tab 20, which is then secured in a
pivotable manner with tape 22 or other means to the bottom of the
base, near the center, as shown in FIG. 5B. Elevator base 13 may
also include one or more air vent holes 15. FIGS. 6A and 6B show
how the elevator with a single rubber tipped tab slides easily
against the smooth inner surface of the tube in the inverted
position, and resists movement when the container is flipped to the
upright position.
[0023] The elevator of the present invention can also be formed of
tabs 26 cut into the sidewall 12 and bent downward, as "ears,"
shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Like the previous embodiments, the ears
slide easily against the inner surface of a container in one
direction, but not in the other direction. As in the previously
described embodiments, the base of the elevator is preferably
circular. However, the configuration of the base will vary
depending on the shape of the container and the type of items
intended to be placed in the elevator. For example, if the
container is used to store doughnuts or crackers, the shape of the
container may be square or rectangular and the base would
necessarily be of a similar shape to fit securely within the
interior of the container.
[0024] In another embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the
elevator includes only a platform 30 and no tabs or ears. Thus, in
this simplified embodiment, the elevator does not engage the inner
sidewall of the container 10 and can freely move in both directions
inside the container. This embodiment serves to limit the air space
around food products, such as doughnuts 32, chips, cookies,
crackers, bagels, or other perishable food products, when the
container is inverted. By limiting the air space around the food
product, the freshness of the food product is preserved.
[0025] Although the present invention has been described in
relation to particular embodiments thereof, many variations and
modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled
in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention
be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the
appended claims
* * * * *