Food container

Abstract

A food container is described and which includes an enclosure for holding a food product to be consumed and which is defined by a sidewall, and which has a first open end, and a second closed end; and a lid which releasably and matingly engages the first open end of the enclosure and which permits limited access to the enclosure, and which further defines a cavity which matingly receives the second end of the enclosure when the lid is removed from the enclosure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a food container and more specifically to a food container which is useful in enclosing confectionary and other food products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art is replete with numerous examples of food containers for enclosing and dispending of confectionary and other novelty food products. One particularly popular confectionary product is the “Snow Cone.” In this product, shaved ice is delivered into a container and thereafter syrups are added to the shaved ice in order to flavor and color the resulting product. Still further, other manufacturers of confectionary products produce a semi-solid or slush like solution made from shaved ice and flavored syrups and which are again delivered into containers for consumption by a consumer both on and off the premises.

While these confectionary products typically can be consumed, at least in part, by means of a straw inserted in the container, it is often the case that the fluid component of the confection is quickly removed thus leaving a semi-solid mass which can no longer be removed by means of a straw. Often, confectionary manufacturers supply consumers with straws that often double as a spoon so that the consumer can remove the remaining semi-solid mass which is left in the bottom of a container.

It is well know that many consumers often prefer to have confectionary products dispensed in cones because of the ease with which such products may be carried and consumed. While these products are convenient to be eaten and carried by hand, the product typically cannot be rested on a supporting surface without risking the confectionary product draining or falling out of the cone.

A food container which addresses the shortcomings attendant with the prior art food packages utilized heretofore for substantially identical purposes is the subject matter of the present application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a food container which includes an enclosure for holding a food product to be consumed and which is defined by a sidewall, and which has a first open end, and a second closed end; and a lid which releasably and matingly engages the first open end of the enclosure, and which permits limited access to the enclosure, and which further defines a cavity which matingly receives the second end of the enclosure when the lid is removed from the enclosure.

Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a food container which includes a frusto-conically shaped enclosure for holding a food product, and which has a first open end, and a second closed end defining an apex, and wherein a rim is made integral with the first, open end, and extends substantially radially outwardly relative thereto; and a lid for releasably engaging the first open end of the enclosure, and which further releasably matingly cooperates with the second end of the enclosure, when removed from the first open end, so as to support the enclosure on an underlying supporting surface, and in an orientation so that the food product deposited in the enclosure can be easily removed from the enclosure.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective, environmental view of the food container in a first orientation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, environmental view of the food container in a second orientation.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, side elevation view of the food container of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, longitudinal, sectional view of the food container of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that a food container of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10. The food container 10 includes a generally frusto-conically shaped enclosure for holding a food product 11. The enclosure 11 has a first open end 12, and a second closed end 13 and which is defined by an apex 14. The enclosure 11 is defined by a generally frusto-conically shaped sidewall 15 having an exterior facing surface 16, and an opposite interior facing surface 17 (FIG. 4). The interior facing surface 17 defines an internal cavity 20 (FIG. 2) which encloses the food product which is being dispensed by the food container 10. The food container 10 may be fabricated from any number of different moldable plastics, fluid impervious paperboards and the like. As best seen in the drawings, the enclosure 11 includes a rim which is generally indicated by the numeral 21, and which is made integral with the first open end 12. The rim as seen in the drawings is connected to the enclosure at a circumscribing seat 22 (FIG. 4). The rim 21 has a first leg 23, and a second leg which is positioned laterally outwardly relative to the enclosure 11. As seen in the drawings, the second leg 24 defines an outside peripheral edge 25 (FIG. 3) which is operable to be engaged by a lid which will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

Referring more specifically to the exploded view as seen in FIG. 4, it will be seen that the present invention 10 includes a lid 30 for releasably engaging the first open end 12 of the enclosure 11, and which further releasably, matingly cooperates with the second end 13 when removed from the first open end so as to support the enclosure 11 on an underlying supporting surface, and in an orientation so that any food product deposited in the enclosure 11 can be readily removed from the enclosure. (Shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively).

The lid 30 has a first end 31, and an opposite second end 32. The lid 30 is defined, at least in part, by a generally dome shaped sidewall 33, which has an exterior facing surface 34, and an opposite interior facing surface 35. Still further, it will be seen that the lid 30, and more specifically the exterior facing surface 34 thereof, defines a frusto-conically shaped cavity 40 which extends from the first end 31, and in the direction of the second end 32. The frusto-conically shaped cavity 40, as seen in the drawings, is dimensioned to releasably, matingly receive the second closed end 13 of the enclosure 11 so as to support the food enclosure 10 on a supporting surface such as a table or the like (not shown). The frusto-conically shaped cavity is-defined by a base portion 41 having a diametral dimension, and an apex 42 which is remote therefrom (FIG. 4). The frusto-conically shaped cavity 40 has a depth dimension which is less than the height dimension of the lid 30 as it is measured between the first and second ends 31 and 32, respectively. An aperture 43 (FIG. 4) is formed at the apex 42 of the frusto-conically shaped cavity 40 and is dimensioned to receive a straw 44 therethrough. The aperture 42 allows limited access to the internal cavity 20 of the enclosure 11 when the lid 30 releasably engages the first open end 12 of the food enclosure 11. Mounted on and circumscribing, the dome shaped sidewall 33 at the second end 32 is a circumscribing coupling member which is generally indicated by the numeral 50. The coupling member allows the lid 30 to releasably, matingly engage the rim 21 in the well known manner of a snap-fit. In this regard, the coupling member 50 has a first leg 51 which is joined to a second leg 52. The first and second legs 51 and 52 are spaced apart to define a circumscribing channel 53 therebetween which is dimensioned to matingly cooperate in the manner of a snap-fit with the rim 21. As seen in FIG. 4, the first and second legs 51 and 52 are positioned radially, outwardly relative to the second end 32 of the lid 30. When the lid 30 and the enclosure 11 are affixed one to the other as seen in FIG. 1 and 3, the second end 32 of the lid 30 rests upon the circumscribing seat 22 which is positioned at the first open end 12 of the enclosure 11. Further, once released from the first end 12 of the enclosure 11, the lid 30 may be placed on a supporting surface, and the second, closed end 13 is then received within the frusto-conically shaped cavity 40 and supported in an upright orientation so that a consumer may gain access to the food product received within the internal cavity 20 thereof (FIG. 2).

Operation

The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.

The present invention relates to a food container 10 which includes an enclosure 11 for holding a food product to be consumed and which is defined by a sidewall 15 and which has a first open end 12, and a second closed end 13. Still further, the food container 10 includes a lid 30 which releasably and matingly engages the first open end 12 of the enclosure 11, and which permits limited access to the enclosure and which further defines a cavity 40 which matingly receives the second end 13 of the enclosure 11 when the lid 30 is removed from the enclosure. As seen in the drawings, the first open end 12 is substantially circular. Still further, the sidewall 15 of the enclosure 11 is defined, at least in part, by a cone having an apex 14 which is located at the second end 13 of the enclosure. Still further, the container 11 includes a rim 21 made integral with first open end 12, and which extends laterally outwardly relative thereto. Still further, a circumscribing coupling member 50 is made integral with the lid 30 and which further defines a circumscribing channel 53 which sealably, releasably, and matingly receives the rim 21. As seen in the drawings, the lid 30 further comprises an exterior facing surface 34 which forms, at least in part, a dome, and the cavity 40. As seen in the various drawings, the cavity 40 is frusto-conically shaped. As further seen in the drawings, an aperture 43 is located at the apex 42 of the frusto-conically shaped cavity 40 and is operable to receive a suitably dimensioned straw 44. The lid 30 has an outside diametral dimension as measured at the second end 32 thereof, and the base portion 41 of the frusto-conically shaped cavity 40 has an inside diametral dimension which is less than the outside diametral dimension of the lid 30. As earlier described, the circumscribing channel 53 is-dimensioned to releasably matingly engage the rim 21 in the manner of a snap-fit. As should be understood, the lid 30 is operable to shape the food product received in the internal cavity 70 when the lid 30 releasably engages the first open end 12 of the enclosure 11.

Therefore, it will be seen that a food container 11 of the present invention provides a convenient means whereby confectionary materials may be served in a convenient manner and whereby the lid 30 thereof may be employed once removed from the food container 10 to support the enclosure 11 in appropriate orientation so that food product may be easily removed from the enclosure 11.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A food container, comprising:

an enclosure for holding a food product to be consumed and which is defined by a sidewall, and which has a first open end, and a second closed end; and

a lid which releasably and matingly engages the first open end of the enclosure and which permits limited access to the enclosure, and which further defines a cavity which matingly receives the second end of the enclosure when the lid is removed from the enclosure.

2. A food container as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the first open end of the enclosure is substantially circular.

3. A food container as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the sidewall of the enclosure defines, at least in part, a cone having an apex which is located at the second end of the enclosure.

4. A food container as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising:

a rim made integral with the first open end of the enclosure and which extends laterally outwardly relative thereto.

5. A food container as claimed in claim 4, and further comprising:

a circumscribing coupling member made integral with the lid, and which defines a circumscribing channel which sealably matingly receives the rim.

6. A food container as claimed in claim 3, and wherein the lid further comprises an exterior facing surface which forms, at least in part, a dome, and the cavity, and wherein the cavity is frusto-conically shaped.

7. A food container as claimed in claim 6, and wherein an aperture is defined by the exterior facing surface of the lid, and is located within the cavity.

8. A food container comprising:

a frusto-conically shaped enclosure for holding a food product, and which has a first open end, and a second closed end defining an apex, and wherein a rim is made integral with the first, open end, and extends substantially radially outwardly relative thereto; and

a lid for releasably engaging the first open end of the enclosure, and which further releasably matingly cooperates with the second end of the enclosure, when removed from the first open end, so as to support the enclosure on an underlying supporting surface, and in an orientation so that the food product deposited in the enclosure can be easily removed from the enclosure.

9. A food enclosure as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the lid has an exterior facing surface which defines a frusto-conically shaped cavity which is dimensioned to matingly receive the second end of the enclosure.

10. A food enclosure as claimed in claim 9, and wherein the frusto-conically shaped cavity has an apex defining an aperture and which permits a straw to extend therethrough and into the enclosure.

11. A food enclosure as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the lid has a predetermined height dimension, and the frusto-conically shaped cavity has a depth dimension which is less that the height dimension of the lid.

12. A food enclosure as claimed in claim 11, and wherein the lid has an outside diametral dimension, and the base of the frusto-conically shaped cavity has an inside diametral dimension which is less than the outside diametral dimension of the lid.

13. A food enclosure as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the lid further defines a circumscribing channel which is dimensioned to releasably, matingly engage the rim in the manner of a snap-fit.

14. A food enclosure as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the lid defines, at least in part a dome which substantially covers the first open end of the frusto-conically shaped enclosure.

15. A food enclosure as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the lid is operable to shape the food product when the lid releasably engages the first, open end of the enclosure.