U.S. patent application number 14/167245 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-30 for object and food item storage device.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE PLASTICSAM LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is THE PLASTICSAM LIMITED. Invention is credited to Samy LAM.
Application Number | 20150210432 14/167245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53678338 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150210432 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LAM; Samy |
July 30, 2015 |
OBJECT AND FOOD ITEM STORAGE DEVICE
Abstract
A device and method for packaging and storing an object and food
item. The object storage device may include a substantially hollow
vessel that may be separated into at least a top portion and a
bottom portion. An internal divider may be provided to separate the
vessel into at least two compartments, a food item storage
compartment and a toy or object storage compartment.
Inventors: |
LAM; Samy; (Kowloon,
HK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THE PLASTICSAM LIMITED |
Kowloon |
|
HK |
|
|
Assignee: |
THE PLASTICSAM LIMITED
Kowloon
HK
|
Family ID: |
53678338 |
Appl. No.: |
14/167245 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/459.5 ;
206/497; 220/4.25; 220/505; 53/443 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/365 20130101;
B65D 2543/00287 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 11/02
20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101; B65D 25/04 20130101; B65D 43/02
20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; A63H 33/00 20130101; B65D
2543/00277 20130101; B65D 85/60 20130101; B65D 75/004 20130101;
B65D 11/188 20130101; B65D 2543/00361 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/20 20060101
B65D025/20; B65D 25/04 20060101 B65D025/04; B65D 75/00 20060101
B65D075/00; B65D 57/00 20060101 B65D057/00 |
Claims
1. An object storage device comprising: a substantially hollow
vessel having a base section and capable of being separated into at
least a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the separation
allows access to an interior of the vessel; and a removable
internal divider configured to divide the interior of the
substantially hollow vessel into at least two distinct compartments
when installed between the compartments and, when installed,
prevent a small object or toy disposed in one compartment from
interacting with a solid or liquid food item in another
compartment.
2. The object storage device of claim 1, wherein the removable
internal divider comprises a sealing member arranged so as to seal
one of the at least two compartments so it is water tight, air
tight, or both water tight and air tight.
3. The object storage device of claim 2, wherein the removable
internal divider comprises a film comprised of plastics and
arranged so as to seal to an edge of one of the at least two
compartments by applying heat.
4. The object storage device of claim 1, further comprising at
least one removable sealing member arranged to seal at least one of
the compartments created by the removable internal divider so it is
water tight, air tight, or both water tight and air tight.
5. The object storage device of claim 1, wherein the substantially
hollow vessel is egg-shaped or ovoid.
6. The object storage device of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion
is substantially cylindrical or conical and the top portion is
substantially semi-spherical.
7. The object storage device of claim 6, further comprising
features protruding from the top portion or bottom portion
8. The object storage device of claim 1, further comprising a label
disposed around an exterior of the vessel.
9. The object storage device of claim 1, further comprising a
shrink wrapper disposed around an exterior of the vessel, wherein
the shrink wrapper constricts around the vessel when heat is
applied, and is arranged to secure the top portion and bottom
portion of the vessel together.
10. The object storage device of claim 9, wherein the shrink
wrapper has words or graphics disposed thereon.
11. A method for packaging and storing an object or food item
comprising: providing an object and food item storage device which
comprises a substantially hollow vessel; putting a first food item
or object in a bottom portion of the vessel; placing an internal
divider and a second object or food item in the vessel so that the
portions of the vessel, when assembled, leave the first food item
or object on one side of the divider and the second food item or
object on the other side of the divider.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Companies often try to package toys with food items. For
example, cereal boxes often come with small toys, fake tattoos, or
stickers inside of them. Similarly, some gum packages come with
sports player cards inside. Also, many fast food meals come with
small toy giveaways. Being able to package a small toy or object
with a food item is viewed as an extra treat and has made the
purchase of some products more desirable. It is also very useful to
have a fun or decorative container for objects and food items.
SUMMARY
[0002] In one exemplary embodiment, an object and food item storage
device may be provided. The object storage device may include a
substantially hollow vessel that may be separated into at least a
top portion and a bottom portion. There may be a base section of
the vessel. An internal divider may be provided to separate the
vessel into at least two compartments, a food item storage
compartment and an object storage compartment.
[0003] In an alternative exemplary embodiment, a method for
packaging and storing an object and food item may be provided. The
method may include providing an object and food item storage device
and putting a first food item or object in a bottom portion of the
vessel. An internal divider may then be placed in the vessel and a
second object or food item may be put within the vessel on the
opposite side of the internal divider from the first food item or
object. The vessel may then be closed or sealed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary
embodiments. The following detailed description should be
considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in
which:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an object storage
device.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of an object storage
device.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a side view of an object storage device.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a side, exploded view of an object storage
device.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a top view of an object storage device.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an object storage device.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a side, cross-sectional view of an object storage
device.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective, exploded view of an object storage
device.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a perspective, exploded view of an alternative
embodiment of an object storage device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the
following description and related figures directed to specific
embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that alternate embodiments may be devised without
departing from the spirit or the scope of the claims. Additionally,
well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will
not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure
the relevant details of the invention.
[0015] As used herein, the word "exemplary" means "serving as an
example, instance or illustration." The embodiments described
herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should
be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to
be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
Moreover, the terms "embodiments of the invention", "embodiments"
or "invention" do not require that all embodiments of the invention
include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
[0016] FIGS. 1-7 show an exemplary embodiment of a food and object
storage device 100. The storage device 100 may include a vessel
110. Vessel 110 may be made of plastic, wood, metal, carbon fiber,
rubber, polymers, or other materials as would be understood by a
person having ordinary skill in the art. Vessel 110 may be a
variety of colors, or vessel 110 may be substantially clear or
transparent. Vessel 110 may also be a translucent color. In an
exemplary embodiment, vessel 110 may be a fully enclosed,
substantially hollow shell and may separate along a separation line
111 into at least two pieces. The separation of vessel 110 may
create access to the interior of vessel 110. Inside an exemplary
food and object storage device 100, a food or candy item 132 and an
object or toy 142 may be stored. Food and object storage device 100
may serve as packaging for products and it may also serve as a
storage container.
[0017] In one embodiment, vessel 110 may separate into a top
portion 112 and a bottom portion 116. Top portion 112 may have a
securing lip 114 and bottom portion 116 may have a securing lip
118. Securing lip 114 may be disposed around the open edge 170 of
top portion 112 and securing lip 118 may be disposed around the
open edge 172 of bottom portion 116. Securing lips 114, 118 may
secure vessel 110 in a closed or assembled position when engaged
together. Engaged securing lips 114, 118 may form separation line
111. The securing lips may secure the portions of vessel 110
together by creating a snap fit, flange fit, friction fit, undercut
fit, or screw fit. The top and bottom portions of vessel 110 may
alternatively or additionally be held together by shrink wrapping.
The shrink wrap may be disposed around vessel 110 and may tighten
around vessel 110, securing the portions together. The shrink wrap
may tighten upon heating. The shrink wrapping may also have words
or graphics disposed on it. Bottom portion 116 may have a
substantially flat or concave base section 124 that may allow
object storage device 100 to rest in a desired orientation on a
surface. In an embodiment where base section 1 124 is concave,
object storage device 100 may rest on the perimeter of base section
124. Similarly the area of base 124 may be indented from its
perimeter, allowing object storage device 100 to rest on the
perimeter.
[0018] When assembled, there may be at least one internal divider
120 that secures within vessel 110 to separate the substantially
hollow interior of vessel 110 into at least two compartments. In an
exemplary embodiment, these compartments may be a food storage
compartment 130 and an object storage compartment 140. In an
exemplary embodiment, internal divider 120 may divide vessel 110
proximate separation line 111. Alternatively, internal divider 120
may be disposed within the interior top portion 112 or bottom
portion 116. The location of interior divider 120 may be varied
based on the desired size of the various compartments. Internal
divider 120 may be disposed so that its perimeter engages the
interior of of vessel 110, whether within top portion 112, bottom
portion 116, or along separation line 111. Internal divider may be
substantially planar and may be disposed substantially parallel to
separation line 111. In other exemplary embodiments, there may be
multiple internal dividers 120. In embodiments with multiple
internal dividers 120, internal dividers 120 may be disposed
parallel to one another or internal dividers 120 may be disposed
perpendicular to one another. For example, a first internal divider
120 may be disposed along separation line 111 and a second internal
divider 120 may be disposed perpendicular to the first internal
divider. The combination of the first and second internal dividers
may create three compartments. The 3rd compartment may hold a
second food item or a second object. Similarly, there may be more
than three internal dividers 120 splitting the vessel into smaller
compartments. In some embodiments, internal divider 120 may seal
one of the compartments. For example, internal divider 120 may
secure to the sides of vessel 110 in a manner that seals food
storage compartment 130 so as to protect and preserve its contents
from exterior elements and spoilage. The seal may be air-tight,
water-tight, or both.
[0019] Internal divider may be made of plastics, polymers,
composites, wood, paper, cellophane, metal, or foil. In some
embodiments, internal divider 120 may be substantially rigid, while
it other embodiments, internal divider 120 may be malleable.
Internal divider 120 may fit securely or loosely within vessel 110.
An additional sealing element, such as a plastic, paper,
cellophane, or foil sheet may seal the food storage compartment 130
while internal divider 120 serves as merely a separator between the
food storage compartment 130 and the object storage compartment
140. Internal divider 120 or the additional sealing element may
seal to the shell of vessel 110 by suction, heat sealing, or
adhesive. In an exemplary embodiment, internal divider 120 may be a
film made of plastics that can be sealed to an edge 170/172 of
vessel 110 by applying heat. The film may serve as both the divider
and sealing element. Food storage compartment 130 may not be sealed
in all embodiments.
[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, food storage compartment 130 may
be defined by the shell of bottom portion 116 and internal divider
120. Similarly, object storage compartment 140 may be defined by
the shell of top portion 112 and internal divider 120. Food storage
compartment 130 may be capable of holding liquid or solid food
items 132 that fit within its interior. In an exemplary embodiment,
food storage compartment 130 may hold a candy or confectionary
item. More specifically food storage compartment 130 may hold
chocolate syrup or chocolate paste. The food or confectionary item
132 found in food storage compartment 130 may be a surprise. The
object storage compartment 140 may hold objects 142 that fit within
its interior such as small toys or utensils, such as paper clips or
erasers. An exemplary embodiment of an object storage device may
hold a figurine, toy car, or similar small toy. FIGS. 1 and 2 show
an object storage compartment 140 holding an eraser shaped like a
toy car. FIG. 8 shows an object storage device that contains a
figurine of a dog in the object storage compartment. Similarly to
the food item 132, the object 142 may be a surprise.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, vessel
110 may be substantially egg shaped or ovoid. In alternative
embodiments, vessel 110 may be substantially spherical,
cylindrical, pyramidal, cuboidal, or other similar shapes that may
allow object storage device 100 to function as described. In yet
further embodiments, such as the one shown in FIGS. 8-9, vessel 810
may have an ornate shape in the form of an animal, toy, or other
object, such as a cupcake. Reference numbers for FIGS. 8 and 9 may
represent similar features to the reference numbers throughout the
description having the same numerals in the tens and ones place. As
shown in FIG. 8, for example, bottom portion 816 may be a tapered
cylinder or truncated cone shape and the top portion 812 may be
substantially semi-spherical or a similar shape. The top portion
812 may have the face or other features of an animal, such as a
cat, depicted on it, as shown in FIG. 8. In embodiments where
portions of vessel 110/810 may be shaped as an animal, toy, or
other object, there may be raised portions, protrusions, or
indentions to create features such as the ears 860 in object
storage device 800. The exterior of the object storage device may
be smooth or textured. In embodiments where the exterior is
textured, it may be to add ornamentation, such as embossment 862,
as shown in FIG. 9. In some exemplary embodiments, labels may be
affixed to the exterior of vessel 110/810. In the embodiment shown
in FIG. 8, the exterior of bottom portion 816 may or may not have
embossing 862. In embodiments without embossing, the exterior of
bottom portion 816 may be substantially smooth. In such
embodiments, a label may be affixed to the exterior of bottom
portion 816.
[0022] The foregoing description and accompanying figures
illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of
operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be
construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed
above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
[0023] Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be
regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it
should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be
made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope
of the invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *