Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FOOD PRODUCT CONTAINER
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to a container for food products.
f 0002] Containers for food products not only hold. the product, but also
provide
a convenient and functional device for the user. Both the appearance and the
functionality of the container can be important properties. It would be useful
to
have a container conveniently sized for a user and capable of dispensing one
or a
few pieces of a food product at a time.
BRIEF SUMMARY
100031 In various aspects, a food product container is provided. The food
product container is especially suitable for dispensing the food product.
j0004] In one aspect, a food product container includes a base and a cover.
The base includes an opening, a top, and a bottom. At least one wall extends
between the top and the bottom to define a container volume with a height,. a
widti-, and a depth. The depth is smaller than the height and the width. The
cover
is connected to the base and disposed over the opening. The cover includes a
dispensing opening. A plurality of food products is disposed within the
container
volume. The length of the food product is greater than the depth of the
container
volume.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
.[0005] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container in a
closed
position.
.[0006] Fig. 2 is a perspective view the container of Fig. 1 in an open
position.
(0007] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the base of the container of Fig.1.
[0008] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cover of the container of Fig. t
[0009] Fig. 5 is a first side sectional view of the container of Fig. 1.
[0010] Fig. 6 is a second side sectional view of the container of Fig. 1.
[0011] Fig. 7 is an enlarged portion of detail 7 of Fig. 5.
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100121 Fig. 8A is top view of one embodiment of a container with a food
product in a first configuration.
[0013] Fig. 8B is top view of one embodiment of a container with a food
product in a second configuration.
[0014] Fig. 8C is top view of one embodiment of a container with a food
product in a third configuration.
100151 Fig. 8D is top view of one embodiment of a container with a food
product in a fourth configuration.
(0016] Fig. 8E is top view of one embodiment of a container with a food
product in a fifth configuration.
[00171 Fig. 8F is top view of one embodiment of a container with a food
product in a sixth configuration.
[0018] Fig, 9A is top view of another embodiment of a container with a food
product in a first conFiguration_
f0019] Fig. 9B is top view of another embodiment of a container with a food
product in a second configuration.
[0020] Fig. 9C is top view of another embodiment of a container with a food
product in a third configuration.
[0021] Fig. 9D is top view of another embodiment of a container with a food
product in a fourth configuration.
[0022] Fig. 9E is top view of another embodiment of a container with a food
product in a fifth configuration.
[0023] Fig. 9F is top view of another embodiment of a container with a food
product in a sixth configuration.
[0024] Fig. IOA is top view oi'one embodiment of a container opening with a
food product in a first configuration.
[0025] Fig. lOB is top view of one embodiment of a container opening with a
food product in a second configuration.
[0026] Fig.. l OC is top view of one embodiment of a container opening with a
food product in a third c4nfiguration.
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[00271 Fig. 1 QD is top view of one embodiment of a container opening with a
food product in a fourth configuration.
[0028] Fig. l0E is top view of one embodirnent of a container opening with a
food product in a fifth configuration.
[0029) Fig. lOF is top view of one embodiment of a container opening with a
food product in a sixth configuration.
10030] Fig. 1 lA is top view of another embodiment of a container opening
with a food product in a first configuration.
[0031] Fig. 11B is top view of another embodiment of a container opening
with a food product in a second configuration.
j00321 Fig. I 1C is top view of another embodiment of a container opening
with a food product in a third configuration.
[0033] Fig. 11D is top view of another embodiment of a container opening
with a food product in a fourth configuration.
100341 Fig. l lE is top view of another embodiment of a container opening with
a food product in a fifth configuration.
[0035] Fig. 11 F is top view of another embodiment of a container opening with
a food product in a sixth configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The invention is described with reference to the drawings in which like
elements are referred to by like numerals. The relationship and functioning of
the
various elements of this invention are better understood by the following
description. Each aspect so defined may be combined with any other aspect or
aspects unless clearly indicated to the contrary. The embodiments described
below are by way of example only, and the invention is not limited to the
embodiments illustrated in the drawings.
[0037] A food product container 10 is shown in Figs. I and. 2. The food
product container includes a base 20 and a cover 30. Fig. 3 shows the base 20,
including an opening 22, a top 24, a bottom 26, and at least one wall 28
extending
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from the top 24 to the bottom 26 to defme a container volume 40. As shown in
Figs. 5 and 6, the container volume 40 includes a height 42, a width 44, and a
depth 46. The depth 46 is smaller than the height 42 and the width 44.
[00381 The food product container 10 generally has an elongated shape.
However, the shape can be any number of configurations. For example, the
container may be a rectangular solid, with a rectangular cross-section and
four
vertical walls connected at sharp angles. A(ternatively, as shown in Fig. 3,
the
ends can be smooth and rounded, with a generally oval-shaped cross section, so
there are no sharp corners. Other shapes are possible, such as rectangular,
rotmdeld
rectarigu3.ar, square, circular, or polygonal cross sections.
[0039] The cover 30 is connected to the base 20 and disposed over the opening
22. As seen in Fig. 4, the cover 30 includes a dispensing opening 32. The
length
33 of the dispensing opening 32 may be about half the width 44 of the
container
10. A flap 34 is hingedly connected to the cover 30 and covers the dispensing
opening 32. The hinge 35 connects the cover 30 and first end 31 of the flap 34
to
provide movement between a closed position and an open position. The hinge 35
may be a "living hinge," i.e., integrally or monolithically formed with the
cover 30
and the flap 34.
[0040] The flap 34 may include, opposite the first end 31, an extending lip 36
corresponding to the shape of the dispensing opening 32. The lip 36 may form
an
interference or snap fit with dispensing opening 32 in order to help keep the
flap
34 in a closed position. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the extending lip 36
may
engage surface 37 of the cover 30, with surface 37 urging lip 36 inwards, to
provide a snap fit. As shown in Fig. 4, the flap 34 may also include one or
more
protrusions or bumps 49 disposed on lip 36 and adapted. to engage the surface
37
of dispensing opening 32 when the flap 34 is closed. The protrusions 49 may be
disposed at any location along the periphery of lip 36. The protrusions 49
provide
the flap 34 with additional resistance just prior to the flap 34 being fully
closed.
The flap 34 preferably includes two protrusions 49 disposed on each side of
the
portion of the lip 36 opposite the hinge 35.
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[004I) The cover 30 may include a thin extending flange 29 extending from
the cover 30 around the dispensing opening 32. The extending flange 29
provides
an additional seal against the extending lip 36. Alternatively, instead of
extending
flange 29, the cover 30 may include a ledge (not shown) disposed around the
opening 32 on the underside of the cover 30 to provide an additional seat
between
the cover 30 and the flap 34. The dispensing opening 32 may be oval shaped,
with
a corresponding oval-shaped lip 32. A generally oval shaped dispensing opening
32 maximizes the area of the dispensing opening 32 while minintizing the width
of
the dispensing opening 32. The flap 34 may also include an extending ledge 38
for easy engagement by a user's thumb. In the closed position., a portion of
the
ledge 38 rests against a top surface of 39 of the cover 30, with ledge 38
being
accessible above the top surface 39. The cover 30 may include other types of
closures besides the flap 34, such as a sliding cover.
[0042] In one aspect of the present invention, when the container 10 is held
in
the pairn, the thumb of the same hand can access the ledge 38 so that when the
flap
34 is in a closed position it can be moved to an open position. Upon closing,
the
flap 34 may provide an audible indication that the flap 34 is securely
engaged.
The audible indication rnay be caused by the engagement of lip 36 with surface
37. The audible indication may also be caused by the engagement of protrusions
49 with surface 37. The protrusions 49 provide the flap 34 with additional
resistance, resulting in an audible indication or "snap" associated with the
flap 34
being #'ully closed. Additionally, an audible indication may be provided when
the
flap 34 is opened. The audible indication upon closing and opening the flap 34
may also be accompanied by a tactile "snap" caused by the protrusions 49.
{0043] As shown in Fig. 6, a plurality of food products 60 is disposed within
the container volume 40. As also seen in Figs. 8A to 8F, the food product 60
has a
length (longest dimension) 62, a width (second longest dimension) 64, and a
depth
(shortest dimension) 66. The length 62 of the food product 60 is greater than
the
depth 46 of the container volume. Thus, when disposed within the container,
the
food products 60 are disposed about the volume 40. The container 10 has a
relatively small depth 46. The ratio of the depth 46 of the container 10 to
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length 62 of the food product 60 may be greater than about 0.6 and less than
1Ø
The ratio of the depth 46 of the container to the width of the product 60 may
be
less than 2. The ratio of the depth 46 of the container to the depth of the
product
60 may be betvveen 1 to 3.15.
100441 The cover 30 is preferably attached to the base 20 by a snap fit. This
snap fit may be accomplished by any suitable configuration. For example, as
best
seen in Figs. 5-7, the base 20 may include a ridge 52 and the cover 30 may
inclixde
a channel 54. The ridge 52 extends into the channe154 to provide the snap fit.
The cover 30 may include an interior lip 53 and a side wal156. The lip 53 and
side wall 56 define an opening 55. The side wall 56 extends over the top 24 of
the
base 20, with a portion of top 24 and ridge 52 disposed within the opening 55.
The side wall 56 is preferably made of a compliant material to allow the cover
30
to be "mserted around and onto the base 20.
'j0045] A variety of configurations for the snap fit between the base 20 and
the
cover 30 are possible. The ridge 52 and channe154 may extend along the entire
periphery, or only portions thereof, of the base 20 and cap 30, respectively.
The
base 20 may include two ridges 52, 58 extending around the periphery near the
top
24. The top ridge 52 acts to engage the channel 54 in the cover 30. The
configuration of ridge 52 and channel 54 provides a good seal between the base
20
and the cover 30 and -prevents the cover 30 from easily coming off. The bottom
.
ridge 58 acts as a stop for the side walls 56 of the cover 30. The ridges 52,
58 also
act as a seal to protect the product 60 from moisture. The ridges 52, 58 may
be
disposed in a level fashion around the top 24 of the base 20. As shown in Fig.
3,
the ridges 52, 58 may also vary in vertical location around the periphery of
the
base 20. It can be seen in Fig. 3 that the top ridge 52 may be disposed
relatively
horizontally, and the bottom ridge 58 may be lower on the short side walls 21,
23
of the base 20 than on the longer side walls 25, 27.
[00461 Turning now to the dimensions of the food product container 10, the
container 10 is preferably sized to fit within the hand and the pocket of the
user.
The oval-shaped cross section is convenient for a user's hand and pockets. An
oval rounded shape gives a good seal between the cover 30 and the base 20. An
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oval-shaped cross section, or other configuration with a narrow width, also
allows
ease of dispensing since the food products 60 tend to be oriented in the
proper
direction for dispensing out of an oval shaped dispensing opening 32. The
depth
46 of the volume 40 of the container may be between about 10 mm and about 30
mm, the width 44 may be between about 40 mm and about 60 mm, and the height
42 may be between about 60 mm and about 100 mm. If the base 20 is translucent,
the user is able to see how much of the food product 60 is present or
remaining in
the container 10. The food product 60 may have a length 62 of between about 15
mm and about 25 mrn, a width 64 between about 10 mm and about 20 tnm, and a
depth 66 between about 6 mm and about 12 ztum. The volume 40 of the container
may be sized to acconmmodate between about 20 and about 30 pieces of food
product 60.
(0047] In use, the user may open the container 10 by pushing on the ledge 38
to open the flap 34. The flap 34 is shaped so that it may easily be opened by
hand.
The food product 60 rnay then be dispensed by tipping over the container 10.
The
opening 32 is sized such that generally only a few (around one to five) pieces
of
food product 60 will be dispensed at a time. The container 10 is hygienic in
that
the food product 60 need not be touched by a user before dispensing. The food
product 60 may be any type of food product, including hard candy, soft candy,
mints, gum or gum pellets. The length of the food product 60 may be between 15
and 25 mnl, and is generally around 20 mm.
[0048] Because the container 10 has a relatively small depth 46, only certain
orientations of the food product 60 are possible withi.n the container 10,
depending
on the size and shape of both the container 10 and the food product 60.
Turning
now to the relationship between the food product 60 and the container 10, an
embodiment of a container 10 and food product 60 are shown in Figs. 8A to 8F.
The food product 60 has a lcngth (longest dimension) 62, a width (second
longest
dimension) 64, and a depth (shortest dimension) 66_ The interior of the
container
has a width 44 and a depth 46. The orientation of the. food product 60 within
the container 10 can be expressed as the relationship between the product
dimensions and the container dimensions. The container has three orthogonal
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directions, the height direction 72, the width direction 74, and the depth
direction
76. The height direction 72 extends between the container top 24 and bottom
26.
The width direction 74 extends between the side walls 21, 23. The depth
direction
76 extends between the side walls 25, 27.
[0049] lii one embodiment, the width 64 and depth 66 of the food product 60
are less than the depth 46 of the container 10, and the product length 62 is
greater
than the depth 46 of the container 10. Figs. 8A to 8D show some possible
orientations of the food product 60 within the container 10. In Fig. 8A, the
product length 62 is oriented along the width direction 74 of the container,
and the
product width 64 along the depth direction 76 of the container. in Fig. 8B,
the
product width 64 is oriented along the depth direction 76 of the container,
and the
product depth 66 along the width direction 74 of the container. In Fig. 8C,
the
product width 64 is oriented along the width direction. 74 of the container,
and the
product depth 66 along the depth direction 76 of the container. In Fig, 8D,
the
product length 62 is oriented along the width direction 74 of the container,
and the
product depth 66 along the depth direction 76 of the container. Figs. SE and
SF
show impossible orientations of the food product 60 within the container 10.
Because the product length 62 is greater than the depth 46of the container 10,
the
length of the product 60 cannot be oriented along the depth direction 76 of
the
container 60. Obviously, the product 60 may be oriented in configurations
between those shown in Figs. 8A to 8F.
[0050] Another embodiment of a container 70 and food product 60 are shown
in Figs. 9A to 9F. The container 70 has a width 75 and a depth 77. The product
depth 66 is less than the container depth 77, and the product length 62 and
width
64 are greater than the container depth 77. Figs. 9A and 9B show possible
orientations of the food product 60 within the container 70. In Fig. 9A, the
product width 64 is oriented along the width direction 74 of the container 10,
and
the product depth 66 is oriented along the depth direction 76 of the container
10.
In Fig. 9B, the product length 62 is oriented along the width direction 74 of
the
container 10, and the product depth 66 is oriented along the depth direction
76 of
the container. Figs. 9C to 9F show impossible orientations of the food product
60
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within the container 10. Because the product length 62 and product width 64
are
greater than the depth 77 of the container 10, neither the length 62 nor the
width
64 of the product can be oriented with the depth direction 76 of the container
60.
The product 60 may be oriented in configurations between those shown in Figs.
9A to 9F.
[0051] The shape and size of the opening 32 in the cover 30 may vary. Figs.
l0A to 10F show various orientations of an embodiment of the food product 60
with respect to an embodiment of the opening 32. The opening 32 may be oval-
shaped with a maximum length 33 and a maximum width 41. The length 62 of the
food product is smaller than the length 33 of the opening 32 but larger than
the
width 41 of the opening 32. The product width 64 is smaller than the maximum
width 41 of the opening 32. Figs 10A through 10C show possible dispensing
configurations of the food product 60 from the container 10. Because the
product
width 64 is smaller than the opening width 41, the product 60 can fit through
the
opening 32 if the length 62 of the product is oriented perpendicular to the
opening
32, as shown in Figs. 10B and i OC. As shown in Fig. 10D, because the opening
32 is oval shaped, if the product length 62 is oriented along the direction of
the
opening length 33, the product 60 cannot fit through the opening 32. Because
the
product length 62 is greater than the opening width 41, if the length 62 of
the
product is oriented along the direction ofthe opening width 41, the product 60
cannot fit through the opening 32 in the orientations shown in. Figs. 10E and
I OF.
[0052] Figs. 11A to 1 iF show various orientations of the food product 60 with
respect to an embodiment of the opening 43. The opening 43 is oval-shaped with
a maximum length 45 and a maximum width 47. The length 62 of the food
product is smaller than the opening lcngth 45 but larger than the opening
width 47.
The product width 64 is larger than the maximuin width 47 of the opening 43.
Figs 11A through 1113 show possible dispensing configurations. Because only
the
product depth 66 is smaller than the opening width 47, the product 60 can only
fit
through the opening 43 if the product depth 66 is oriented along the direction
of
the opening vvidth 47. As shown in Figs. 11 C to 11 F, if either the length 62
or the
product width 64 is oriented along the direction of the opening width 47, the
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product cannot fit through the opening 43. Because opening 43 has fewer
possible
dispensing orientations than opening 32, it is easier to dispense the food
product
frorn opening 32 than from opening 43.
[0053] Obviously, the product 60 may be oriented in configurations between
those shown in Figs. l0A to 10F and 11A to I.1F. Additionally, the openings
32,
43 may be other shapes, such as circular or rectangular, which would affect
the
possible dispensing orientations.
[0054] The container 10 may be made of any suitable material. The container
may be made of a material that is transparent or translucent so that the
contents
of the container can be seen. The container may be made from plastic (flexible
or
rigid), paperboard, filn laminated paperboard, film, corrugate, metal, or any
combination of materials. When rnade of plastic, the container may be made by
any suitable technique including extrusion, injection molding, blow molding,
rotational molding, vacuum forming, thermoforming, and combinations thereof.
[0055] Aithough the present invention has been described with -reference to
preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes
may be
made and formed in detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be
regarded as illustrative rather than lirniting, and that it be understood that
it is the
following claims, including all equivalents, that are intendod to define the
scope of
this invention.
