MULTI-FUNCTIONAL CONTAINER APPARATUS AND METHOD
The present invention provides a multi-functional container. The container is adapted to keep contents separated until combined. The container has an outer rim and an inner rim, a pocket between the outer and inner rims, and the inner rim is adapted to translate downward below the outer rim to dispense one content on top of other contents in the container. A method for storing contents separate from each other until combined is also provided. The method includes supporting the container by the base and pressing the bottom of the container downward toward the base to combine the contents.
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The present invention relates to a multi-functional container, and in particular, relates to a multi-functional container for keeping condiments separate from contents of the container until dispensed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCondiments for various food items are well known and commonly used. Over time, containers, such as the cup lid, have evolved to include additional compartments, storage points, or receptacles to store one or more condiments. For example, cup lids now have storage compartments adapted to release condiments, such as cream and sugar, into the cup. These types of cups have the added convenience of keeping one or more desirable condiments separated from the contents in the cup until dispensed.
Therefore, a need has been identified to provide a multi-functional container adapted to keep a condiment separate from contents in the container until desired to combine the condiment with the contents in the container by dispensing the condiments into the container.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONFurther areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description includes specific examples that are intended for purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings.
In one aspect of the present invention, a container adapted to keep a condiment separate from food in the container until dispensed is disclosed. The container includes an outer rim and an inner rim. The inner rim is aligned co-axially with the outer rim. A pocket is positioned between the outer and inner rims. The pocket is adapted to hold the condiment. The inner rim is adapted to translate downward below the outer rim to dispense the condiment on top of food in the container for eating. In a preferred form, the inner rim has an outer sidewall portion adapted to pivot about the inner rim and the pocket to translate the inner rim downward below the pocket, a cup is formed by the inner rim, wherein the cup is adapted to hold the food, the inner rim translates downward from a first position to a second position below the pocket, the inner rim in the first position retains the condiment in a stored position in the pocket, the condiment is unobstructed by the inner rim in the second position to release the condiment from the stored position into the cup, the inner rim in the first position is coplanar with the outer rim, and a cover is adapted to seal against the outer and inner rims to keep the condiment in the pocket separate from the food.
In another aspect of the present invention, a container adapted to keep a condiment separated from contents in the container until dispensed is disclosed. The container includes an outer rim having a base, an inner rim inner rim concentric with the outer rim wherein the inner rim has a living hinge, a pocket between the rims adapted to store the condiment, and a cup formed by the inner rim. The cup is adapted to store the contents and the inner rim has an outer sidewall portion connected to the living hinge wherein the outer sidewall portion is adapted to pivot about the living hinge to translate the inner rim downward to release the condiment into the cup. In a preferred form, the outer sidewall portion is connected between a first living hinge and a second living hinge, the outer sidewall portion is adapted to pivot about the first and second living hinges to translate the inner rim downward below the pocket, downward force applied on bottom of the cup induces a torque on the first and second living hinges, and the torque pivots the outer sidewall portion inward to translate the inner rim from a first position, parallel with the outer rim, to a second position below the pocket.
In still another aspect of the present invention, a method for storing a condiment separate from food in a container until dispensed is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing the container having a base, concentric outer and inner rims, and a pocket between the rims, supporting the container by the base, and pressing bottom of the container with food downward toward the base to release condiment into the container. In a preferred form, the method also includes the step of removing a cover sealed against the rims to expose the condiment and food in the container and translating the inner rim downward below the outer rim.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.
The present invention generally provides for a multi-functional container, as shown generally in
The present invention contemplates the use of food-grade plastic as the material for constructing container 10. The container has wall thicknesses that are sufficiently thin to allow the inner rim to collapse, yet sufficiently rigid to maintain the integrity of the outer rim 12 and the structure of the container 10 as a whole.
The embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the drawings and specification, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in the generically descriptive sense only and are not used for the purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and proportion of parts as well as in substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or are rendered expedient without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims.
Claims
1. A container adapted to keep a condiment separate from food in the container until dispensed, the container comprising:
- an outer rim and an inner rim, said inner rim aligned co-axially with said outer rim;
- a pocket between said outer and inner rims, said pocket adapted to hold said condiment; and
- said inner rim adapted to translate downward below said outer rim to dispense said condiment on top of food in said container for eating.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein said inner rim further comprises an outer sidewall portion adapted to pivot about said inner rim and said pocket to translate said inner rim downward below said pocket.
3. The container of claim 1 further comprising a cup formed by said inner rim, said cup adapted to hold said food.
4. The container of claim 3 wherein said inner rim translates downward from a first position to a second position below said pocket.
5. The container of claim 4 wherein said inner rim in said first position retains said condiment in a stored position in said pocket.
6. The container of claim 5 wherein said condiment is unobstructed by said inner rim in said second position to release said condiment from said stored position into said cup.
7. The container of claim 4 wherein said inner rim in said first position is coplanar with said outer rim.
8. The container of claim 1 further comprising a cover adapted to seal against said outer and inner rims to keep said condiment in said pocket separate from said food.
9. A container adapted to keep contents separated until combined, the container comprising:
- an inner rim and a concentric outer rim having a base;
- a pocket between said rims adapted to store a first content;
- a cup formed by said inner rim, said cup adapted to store a second content; and
- said inner rim having an outer sidewall portion adapted to pivot about said inner rim and said pocket to translate said inner rim downward below said pocket to release said first content into said cup with said second content.
10. The container of claim 9 wherein said inner rim translates downward from a first position to a second position.
11. The container of claim 10 wherein said inner rim in said second position is above said base and below said pocket.
12. The container of claim 11 wherein said cup further comprises a bottom, said bottom is above said base and below said pocket when said inner rim is in said second position.
13. The container of claim 9 wherein said first content comprises:
- a. a condiment;
- b. a topping;
- c. a coating;
- d. an ingredient; or
- e. a part of a mixture or compound.
14. The container of claim 9 wherein said second content comprises:
- a. a food product;
- b. a part of a mixture or compound;
- c. a liquid product;
- d. an ingredient; or
- e. a frozen confection.
15. A container adapted to keep a condiment separated from contents in said container until dispensed, the container comprising:
- an outer rim having a base;
- an inner rim concentric with said outer rim, said inner rim having a living hinge;
- a pocket between said rims adapted to store said condiment;
- a cup formed by said inner rim, said cup adapted to store said contents; and
- said inner rim having an outer sidewall portion connected to said living hinge, said outer sidewall portion adapted to pivot about said living hinge to translate said inner rim downward to release said condiment into said cup.
16. The container of claim 15 wherein said outer sidewall portion is connected between a first living hinge and a second living hinge, said outer sidewall portion adapted to pivot about said first and second living hinges to translate said inner rim downward below said pocket.
17. The container of claim 16 wherein downward force applied on bottom of said cup induces a torque on said first and second living hinges, said torque pivoting said outer sidewall portion inward to translate said inner rim from a first position, parallel with said outer rim, to a second position below said pocket.
18. A method for storing a condiment separate from food in a container until dispensed, the method comprising:
- providing said container having a base, an inner rim, an outer rim concentric with said inner rim, and a pocket between said rims for holding said condiment;
- supporting said container by said base; and
- pressing bottom of said container with food downward toward said base to release said condiment into said container.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of removing a cover sealed against said rims to expose said condiment and food in said container.
20. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of translating said inner rim downward below said outer rim.
21. A method for storing contents separate from each other in a container until combined, the method comprising:
- providing said container having a base, concentric outer and inner rims, a pocket between said rims, and a cup formed by said inner rim;
- pressing bottom of said cup downward;
- pivoting an outer sidewall portion of said inner rim about a living hinge between said inner rim and said pocket to translate said inner rim downward; and
- combining contents of said pocket and cup.
22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of removing a cover from off of said container to expose contents in said pocket and cup.
23. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of translating bottom of said cup downward to a position above said base and below said pocket.
24. The method of claim 21 wherein contents in said pocket comprise:
- a. a condiment;
- b. a topping;
- c. a coating;
- d. an ingredient; or
- e. a part of a mixture or compound.
25. The method of claim 21 wherein contents in said cup comprise:
- a. a food product;
- b. a part of a mixture or compound;
- c. a liquid product;
- d. an ingredient; or
- e. a frozen confection.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 26, 2007
Publication Date: May 28, 2009
Applicant: WELLS' DAIRY, INC. (LeMARS, IA)
Inventor: ROGER J. MORRISSETTE (SIOUX CITY, IA)
Application Number: 11/945,042
International Classification: B65D 25/04 (20060101);