Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
288 [1%
POPCORN` CONTAINER
Field of the Invent _
This invention relates to a bowl and more particularly
to a bowl for use in serving food such as popcorn.
Background of the Invention
Popcorn is a snack food enjoyed by many people.
Historically popcorn was a food product which was
primarily available at entertainment activities or locations such
as sports events, movie theatres and exhibitions. More recently,
there has developed a strong home market for popcorn and
packaging means have been developed in which the kernels were
sold in a closed pie plate like package with an expandable top,
the plate being moved over a hot burner on a stove until the
kernels were popped. Further, electric household popcorn makers
such as hot air poppers, have become common.
More recently however, with the advent of microwaves,
popcorn is packaged such that the package of kernels is simply
placed in a microwave for three to four minutes. The package
expands as the kernels pop.
In any case, however, with most home oriented means of
popping corn, there are invariably kernels which do not pop. The
unpopped kernels are initially intermixed with the popcorn when
poured into a serving dish, bowl or container but then gradually
fall to the bottom of the dish, bowl or container as the popcorn
is eaten. The unpopped kernels are not usually separated from
the popcorn before flavouring ingredients such as butter and/or
salt are added. Once the popcorn is eaten, the unpopped kernels
are usually thrown out due to the presence of a coating of salt
and butter and cannot be re-used in hot air poppers.
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Further, the popcorn at the bottom of the serving dish,
bowl or container is itself usually saturated or soggy with
excess butter and salt. Moreover, unpopped kernels, if
accidentally included in a handful of popcorn inserted into the
mouth, can prove to be detrimental to teeth or dental work if
bitten. The above is also true with respect to the use of
popcorn containers in commercial establishments such as theatres
and the like.
With commercial containers such as the boxes or
circular containers in which popcorn is sold in establishments
such as movie theatres or sports events, the same problem exists.
Although there may be less unpopped kernels, often the popcorn is
dried out and parts of the popcorn break off and like kernels
gravitate to the bottom of the container along with butter and
salt.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide a box, a dish,
bowl or container for popcorn which will permit kernels to be
easily separated from the popped corn. Further, there is a need
to provide a box, a dish, bowl or container having an area for
residue butter and salt thereby reducing the collection of salt
and butter at the bottom of the box or container as well as soggy
popcorn adjacent the bottom. Moreover, th~ removal of kernels
will avoid possible dental problems otherwise resulting from
biting a kernel in a handful of popcorn.
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Summary of the Invention
The invention in one of its broader aspects provides a
popcorn container comprising means for holding popcorn for eating
having at least a bottom and sides and partition means having
apertures and located inside the holding means spaced from the
bottom for creating two chambers, the chamber below the partition
means and the apertures being of a size and configuration to
enable unpopped kernels, broken off of parts of popcorn, excess
salt, or butter to pass through the apertures and accumulate in
the lower chamber.
More particularly, according to one preferred aspect of
the inventlon there is provided a dish, bowl or container having
a first portion with a perforated bottom and a second portion
which can be detachably associated with the first container
adjacent the bottom. The perforations in the perforated bottom
are of a size so as to permit only unpopped kernels to pass
therethrough, not popcorn. When the popcorn is poured into the
first portion of the container and the container is tapped or
shaken, the unpopped kernels gravitate to and pass through the
perforated bottom into the second portion of the container. By
separating the two container portions, the kernels may be removed
from the second portion and repopped if desired or stored for
future use.
Reassembly of the two container portions permits butter
and salt or other flavouring materials to be added to the first
container. Any excess flavouring materials will also gravitate
or pass through the popcorn and the perforated bottom into the
second portion of the container.
Preferably the material of both portions of the
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container is of a suitable plastic which preferably can withstand
some heat and microwave treatment for reheating as desired. The
capacity of the portions and container may vary from small to
large sizes. The second portion of the container, itself a bowl
or bowl-like dish or container, may be from one to two inches in
depth and detachably associated with the upper portion of the
container or bowl by any suitable means including a "quick-snap"
connection, a "drawer-type" connection or a "twist-on"
connection. The size of the perforations in the bottom of the
upper container or bowl portion are suitable for the passage of
kernels and small pieces of popcorn broken off from other pieces.
A perforation in operative size of about 3/8 inches will suffice.
However, it will be appreciated variations in the sizing of the
perforations is possible.
Another preferred aspect of the invention comprehends a
box or container in which popcorn is commercially sold having a
perforated spacer associated with the bottom thereof which will
allow unpopped kernels or small pieces of broken off popcorn to
pass through in addition to any excess butter and/or salt. This
will reduce the problems noted above and enhance the enjoyment of
eating popcorn from these types of commercial containers.
It will be appreciated that other variations in the ~
~i `design and construction of my invention are possible and the ;-
following detailed description of the invention is therefore
illustrative only of a best mode of carrying out the invention.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the container or bowl
showing the two portions in an exploded position.
FIGURE 2 is a top view of the container of FIGURE 1
assembled.
FIGURE 3 is a sectional side view of the container
taken along lines 3 - 3 of FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view of a "snap-on" connection
between the container or bowl portions.
FIGURE 5 is an alternative of a snap-on connection.
FIGURE 6 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of
the container or bowl with portions assembled.
FIGURE 7 is a sectional side view taken along lines 7 -
7 of FIGURE 6.
FIGURE 8 is an enlarged illustration of a modified
connection between container or bowl portions in the form of a
"drawer-type" connection.
FIGURE 9 is a further alternative for a detachable
connection between contalner or bowl portions in the form of a
"twist-type" connection.
FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a rectangular box
for popcorn commonly available and sold through commercial
`establishments.
FIGURES 11 and 12 are respectively a top view of a
blank insert and a perspective view of the insert configured for
insertion into the rectangular box.
FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a circular - frusto-
conical - shaped popcorn container commonly available and sold
through commercial establishments. ;~
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FIGURES 14 and 15 are respectively a top view of a
blank insert and a perspective view of the insert configured for
insertion into the circular container of FIGURE 13.
FIGURE 16 is a schematic perspective view of a
cardboard blank with a screen blank associated therewith.
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Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Turning to FIGURES 1 - 3, there is provided a circular
or round container 10 having an upper or top bowl portion 12 and
a lower or bottom bowl portion 14. Upper portion 12 has an open
upwardly directed peripheral edge 16 with slightly convex side
surface 18, lower side surface peripheral edge 20, and bottom 22.
Bottom 22 has a plurality of perforations 24, the array of which
is not important but preferably uniformly located around the
bottom. The size of the perforations 24 are such to permit
kernels of unpopped corn to pass through, yet small enough,
whereby popped kernels or popcorn does not pass through.
Bottom or lower portion 14 is itself bowl-like and has
upper peripheral edge 30, slightly convex side surface 32 of a
radius of curvature similar to that of upper portion side surface
18 and closed bottom 34.
Both upper and lower portions 12 and 14 may be molded
of suitable non-toxic plastic material which is preferably
capable of withstanding some heat such as polyethylene or
polypropylene.
The lower peripheral edge 20 of upper portion 10 and
the upper peripheral edge 30 cooperate in such fashion that the
upper portion 12 and lower portion 14 are detachably securable
together. In the embodiment of FIGURES 1 - 4, the detachable
securing means 40 comprise a peripheral groove or recess 42 in
the edge 20 into which the upper edge 30 of the lower portion 14
is pushed. It will be apparent in this embodiment that the
thickness of the side 18 of the upper bowl 12 is greater than the
side 32 or at least the edge 30 of the lower bowl 14. FIGURE 5
illustrates an alternative embodiment of a securement means 50
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wherein the respective edges 20 and 30 of the upper and lower
portions have cooperating shoulders 52, 54. The diametric extent
of the respective shoulders 52, 54 being such that a tight but
detachable connection is made.
FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate a second embodiment of the
invention wherein like features to the embodiment of FIGURES 1 -
4 have like reference characters but with an "a" designation.
Bowl portions 12a and 14a are squarish with generally inwardly
sloped respective sides 18a - 18d and 32a - 32d, bottoms 22a and
34a, bottom 22a being perforated by a plurality of perforations
24a.
In this second embodiment however the lower peripheral
edges 20a and 20c and upper peripheral edges 30a and 30c are
constructed whereby the bowl portions are detachably connected by
a drawer type connection 50a more particularly shown in FIGURE 8.
Connection 50a includes cooperating tongues and grooves 60, 62
along opposite sides 18a and 18c and 30a and 30c of bowl portions
12a and 14a. Flat edges 20 of sides 18b and 18d cooperate face-
to-face with respective edges 30 of sides 32b and 32d when the
bowL portions 12a and 14a are assembled.
FIGURE 9 illustrates a simple twist-on threaded
connection 50b which can be used for round bowls. Although not
shown, a bayonet-type connection is also contemplated.
In use, popcorn, after being popped, is poured or put
in container 10 with portions 12 and 14 connected together.
Container 10 is then tapped or shaken so that unpopped kernels
will gravitate to the perforated bottom 22 and pass therethrough.
The portions 12 and 14 are then separated and unpopped kernels
reheated or stored ~or future use. Portions 12 and 14 are then
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reconnected -together whereupon appropriate flavouring items such
as melted butter and salt may be added.
Any excess salt and butter gradually moves to the
bottom and passes through perforations 24, 24a to collect in
lower bowl 14, 14a as do unpopped kernels and small broken off
pieces of popcorn.
Turning to FIGURES ]0 - 15, there are shown two common
shapes of popcorn boxes or containers used in movie theatres and
at sports events, namely, the rectangular box 70 (FIGURES 10 -
12) and circular - frusto-conical shaped open top container 100
(FIGURES 13 - 15).
More particularly, box 70 (FIGURES 10 - 12) is of
rectangular configuration and has top and bottom 72 and 74, front
and back 76, 78 and sides 80. Top 72 and bottom 74 having
cooperating flaps 82, 84 with the usual tongue 86 and slit 88
connection, at least the top flaps being eas-ily openable, as is
conventionally known. Insert 90 comprises a blank 92 having a
top portion 94 and opposed side portions 96 and 98 suitably
scored whereby the sides 96 and 98 may be folded so that the
blank may be configured into a shape shown in FIGURE 12 for ;
insertion into the box 70 adjacent its bottom 74. Top portion 94
has apertures 100 of suitable size to pass unpopped kernels and
to also allow excess butter and salt to pass through to reduce
the possibility of soggy popcorn at the bottom of the box or
container. It will be appreciated that the insert could be a
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flat sheet if there is some means within the container to keep
the sheet off the bottom.
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Turning to FIGURES 13 - 15, container 110 has open top ~ ~-
112 with frusto-conical side 114 and bottom 116. Insert 120 has ~ -
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top portion 122 and three peripherally spaced legs 124 which may
be scored so they can be folded down, the insert taking the
configuration shown in FIGURE lS and adapted to be inserted into
the container 110 and located adjacent bottom 116. Top portion
122 has apertures 126 of suitable size to pass unpopped kernels
and also to allow excess butter and salt to pass through. With a
frusto-conical shaped container, an apertured disc having a
diameter congruent to that of a portion of the container spaced
from the bottom could be used. However, such a disc might twist
in the container during use and accordingly, some means above or
below the disc to keep it from twisting is preferred.
With the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIGURES 10 - 15, it will be apparent that the insert is located
in the box or container prior to filling the container with
popcorn. Any unpopped kernels and small pieces of popcorn which
; have broken off popcorn will gravitate to the top portion of the
insert (while the popcorn is being eaten) and pass through the
apertures. Further, excess salt and butter will also pass
through the apertures in the respective inserts.
FIGURE 16 shows schematically a box blank 130 for a box
of the type shown in FIGURE 10. Blank 130 has the flaps
identified with the same numbers as in FIGURE 10 but with prime
notations. It also has end flaps 132. When the blank is formed
into a flat box (not shown), flap 134 is secured to side 80 by
giue or the like at 136. Flat boxes are shipped to the user who
then expands the boxes for fiiling. As an alternative to the
insert 90, screen means 140 having flap 142, apertured portion
144 and flap 146, may be secured to the blank 130 prior to its
- formation into a flat box. Flap 142 is secured to the bottom of
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side 88' adjacent a flap fold line prior to formation of the flat
box wherein flap 134 is secured to side 90' at 136. When the
user expands the flat box, a hand inserted into the box can cause
portions 144 and 146 to be folded over to assume the dotted line
position within the expanded box, portion 144 being the apertured
surface like that in previous embodiments.
Although we have shown certain configurations for the
inserts 90 and 120 and in particular, the means such as sides 96
and 98 and legs 124 to support the top portion above the bottom
of the respective box or container, it will be appreciated that
many variations and modifications are possible within the spirit
and concept of this aspect of the invention. Preferably the top
portion of the insert would be supported or held about ~" above
the bottom of the box container with apertures or openings of
about 3/8" being appropriate.
Thus it will be seen that I have provided a simple but
effective container or bowl device which enhances the enjoyment
of eating popcorn in that unpopped kernels may easily be
separated from popcorn and excess salt and butter does not
collect at the bottom of the bowl in which the popcorn is located
thus saturating and making soggy the last of the popcorn. ~ ~-
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that ~
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other variations and modifications are possible to the
embodiments of my invention and I seek to protect all those -
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within the scope of the claims appended hereto. ;;~
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