Food and Beverage Container with Integrated Disposable Liner Dispenser
A food and beverage container is disclosed that includes a compartment attached to its base that is filled with disposable liners. In various embodiments the container is a storage bin, glass, mug, baby bottle, or bowl. Liners can be configured in a continuous roll with perforations, or folded in an interleaved stack. Liners are pulled into the container through an opening in the container base, and can be held in place by a retaining ring pressed over the container rim. Removing a used liner causes a fresh liner to be pulled into the container from the compartment. A lid can be included, possibly with a drinking or pouring spout through which the end of a disposable liner can be extended, and to which a retaining ring and/or a spout cover can be fitted for transportation, shaking, etc, thereby preventing added ingredients such as powders from adhering to the container.
The invention generally relates to food and beverage containers, and more specifically to apparatus for lining food and beverage containers with disposable liners.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFoods and beverages are often stored in and consumed from reusable containers. For example, storage bins with air tight lids are often to store bulk ingredients such as flour and sugar, as well as leftovers from partially consumed meals, and serving containers such as bowls, mugs, glasses, and such like are often used for consuming foods and beverages. After each use, such reusable containers must typically be washed and dried, which is time consuming and inconvenient. For example, a consumer may be traveling in a car or be otherwise not at home or not close to a washing location when a food or beverage is consumed, thereby requiring that the serving container be brought to a washing location before it can be washed and dried. If more than one use of a container is desired, and washing facilities are not readily available, it may become necessary to re-use the container without washing it first. And if use of the container by more than one person is desired, hygienic concerns can arise.
It is sometimes desirable to mix a powder or other ingredients with a liquid beverage before consumption. Often, a beverage container may include a closable lid that can seal the container and allow the contents of the container to be shaken so as to better mix such ingredients with a beverage. Nevertheless, such ingredients sometimes fail to dissolve completely, and can leave solid deposits on the walls of a container that can be difficult to remove during cleaning.
One approach is to use disposable containers, thereby avoiding the need for washing and drying after use. However, using disposable containers can be costly and wasteful of storage space, and can also place a burden on the capacity of available trash receptacles. Disposable containers are also typically limited in their features. For example, once opened, disposable containers often cannot be resealed as tightly as non-disposable containers. Also, while lids are sometimes available for disposable containers, the lids for disposable containers typically do not seal as tightly as lids that attach to reusable containers. Such disposable lids can become detached if the container is squeezed, shaken, or dropped, causing a food or beverage contained therein to be spilled. And if a drinking spout is desired, for example to facilitate drinking of coffee, water, or a soda while driving, spouts included in disposable container lids are typically of a primitive nature and do not provide the full convenience, comfort, and other benefits of drinking spouts that are typically included in reusable container lids.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn apparatus for storing and/or consuming a food and/or a beverage is claimed. The apparatus includes a container and a compartment attachable to the bottom of the container that can be filled with a supply of disposable container liners. The compartment is configured so as to allow disposable liners to be pulled into the container through an opening provided in the base of the container. In preferred embodiments, both the container and the compartment are threaded, so as to allow the compartment to be attached to the bottom of the container by engagement of complementary threads between the compartment and the container. In other preferred embodiments the compartment can be attached to the bottom of the container by engaging a protrusion on one of the compartment and the container with an indentation in the other of the compartment and the container.
Some preferred embodiments include a supply of disposable liners that can be provided in the compartment as a roll on a spindle or in a folded stack. They can be attached to one another in a continuous length and can include perforations that facilitate detaching and disposal of liners after use, or they can be separate and interleaved in a manner that causes an unused liner to be drawn at least partly into the container each time a used liner is removed for disposal.
So as to use the apparatus, a disposable liner is pulled from the compartment, through the opening, and into the container, and is opened so as to line the container. In preferred embodiments, the top of the disposable liner is folded over the rim of the container, and a liner retaining ring is pressed over the rim so as to clamp the top of the disposable liner in place about the rim. The lined container is then filled with a desired food or beverage for storage and/or or consumption. After use, the used liner is removed through the mouth of the container, thereby causing a fresh, unused liner to be drawn into the container. The used liner is then separated from the fresh liner and disposed of.
In preferred embodiments, a lid is included. In some of these embodiments the lid includes a drinking spout. In some of these embodiments the lid is attached to the rim of the container, and the end of a disposable liner is pulled out through the spout. The end of the liner can then be folded to one side and a spout cover can be fitted against the spout so as to seal the top of the disposable liner and securely contain a beverage within the container during storage, transportation, shaking, and such like. In particular, if a powder or other additive ingredient is included with the beverage, the container and lid with closed spout can be shaken so as to enhance mixing of the added ingredients with the beverage before the beverage is consumed. In this configuration, the disposable liner prevents contact between the beverage and any part of the apparatus. When the beverage is ready for consumption, the end of the disposable liner can be opened and folded over the rim of the spout, and a spout regaining ring can be pressed over the rim of the spout so as to clamp the end of the disposable liner in place surrounding the spout.
Other preferred embodiments include a food storage bin, an open glass or mug, a baby bottle, and a bowl for soup, cereal, ice cream, and such like.
One general aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for storing and consuming at least one of a food and a beverage. The apparatus includes a container with a bottom and a rim, the bottom including an opening, and a compartment removably attachable to the bottom, the compartment being able to contain disposable liners, the disposable liners being pullable into the container through the opening so as to form a lined container.
In preferred embodiments the compartment includes a spindle that is able to retain a roll of disposable liners. Some embodiment further include a liner retaining ring that is able to fit securely against the rim of the container so as to hold an open end of a disposable liner in place about the rim of the container.
Certain preferred embodiments include a supply of disposable liners. In some of these embodiments the disposable liners are configured in a roll. In other of these embodiments the disposable liners are configured in a folded stack. In certain of these embodiments the disposable liners are configured in a continuous length. And in some of these embodiments the continuous length of disposable liners includes perforations that facilitate separation of individual liners from the continuous length. In still other of these embodiments the disposable liners are interleaved so as to cause a fresh liner to be drawn from the supply when a used liner is removed.
In some preferred embodiments, the compartment is removably attachable to the bottom of the container by engagement of complimentary threads of the compartment and the container. In other preferred embodiments the compartment is removably attachable to the bottom of the container by engagement of a protrusion in one of the compartment and the container with a compatible indentation in the other of the compartment and the container.
In preferred embodiments the apparatus further includes a lid that is able to attach to the rim of the lined container and make a leak-resistant seal therewith. In some of these embodiments the leak-resistant seal is sufficient to allow the container to be shaken without allowing contents contained within the lined container to leak between the lid and the rim. In certain of these embodiments the lid includes a drinking spout. Various of these embodiments further include a spout cover that is able to cover the drinking spout and make a leak-resistant seal therewith. Still other of these embodiments include a spout retaining ring that is able to fit securely around a rim of the spout so as to hold an open end of a liner that has been pulled through the spout in place about the rim of the spout. And in various embodiments that include a lid that is able to attach to the rim of the lined container and make a leak-resistant seal therewith, the lid can sealably receive a baby bottle nipple.
Another general aspect of the present invention is a method for storing a consumable item, the consumable item being at least one of a food and a beverage. The method includes the following steps:
providing an apparatus that includes a container with a bottom and a rim, the bottom including an opening, and a compartment removably attachable to the bottom of the container, the compartment being able to contain disposable liners, the disposable liners being pullable into the container through the opening so as to form a lined container;
locating a supply of disposable liners in the compartment, the disposable liners being configured so as to cause a fresh liner to be drawn from the supply when a used liner is pulled away from the supply;
pulling a disposable liner from the compartment, through the opening, and into the container;
lining the container with the disposable liner; and
filling the lined container with the consumable item.
In some preferred embodiments of this method the apparatus further includes a lid that is able to make a leak-resistant seal with the rim of the container, and the method further includes using the lid to make a leak-resistant seal with the rim of the container and shaking the container so as to mix ingredients included in the consumable item.
The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:
The present invention is an apparatus for storing and/or consuming a food and/or a beverage. The apparatus includes a reusable container and a compartment that can be filled with a supply of disposable liners for lining the container. In preferred embodiments, a supply of disposable liners is included.
The drinking spout 502 in the embodiment of
Embodiments similar to the embodiment of
Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for storing and consuming at least one of a food and a beverage, the apparatus comprising:
- a container with a bottom and a rim, the bottom including an opening; and
- a compartment removably attachable to the bottom, the compartment being able to contain disposable liners, the disposable liners being pullable into the container through the opening so as to form a lined container.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compartment includes a spindle that is able to retain a roll of disposable liners.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a liner retaining ring that is able to fit securely against the rim of the container so as to hold an open end of a disposable liner in place about the rim of the container.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a supply of disposable liners.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the disposable liners are configured in a roll.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the disposable liners are configured in a folded stack.
7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the disposable liners are configured in a continuous length.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the continuous length of disposable liners includes perforations that facilitate separation of individual liners from the continuous length.
9. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the disposable liners are interleaved so as to cause a fresh liner to be drawn from the supply when a used liner is removed.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compartment is removably attachable to the bottom of the container by engagement of complimentary threads of the compartment and the container.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compartment is removably attachable to the bottom of the container by engagement of a protrusion in one of the compartment and the container with a compatible indentation in the other of the compartment and the container.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a lid that is able to attach to the rim of the lined container and make a leak-resistant seal therewith.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the leak-resistant seal is sufficient to allow the container to be shaken without allowing contents contained within the lined container to leak between the lid and the rim.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the lid includes a drinking spout.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:
- a spout cover that is able to cover the drinking spout and make a leak-resistant seal therewith.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:
- a spout retaining ring that is able to fit securely around a rim of the spout so as to hold an open end of a liner that has been pulled through the spout in place about the rim of the spout.
17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the lid can sealably receive a baby bottle nipple.
18. A method for storing a consumable item, the consumable item being at least one of a food and a beverage, the method comprising:
- providing an apparatus that includes a container with a bottom and a rim, the bottom including an opening, and a compartment removably attachable to the bottom of the container, the compartment being able to contain disposable liners, the disposable liners being pullable into the container through the opening so as to form a lined container;
- locating a supply of disposable liners in the compartment, the disposable liners being configured so as to cause a fresh liner to be drawn from the supply when a used liner is pulled away from the supply;
- pulling a disposable liner from the compartment, through the opening, and into the container;
- lining the container with the disposable liner; and
- filling the lined container with the consumable item.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the apparatus further includes a lid that is able to make a leak-resistant seal with the rim of the container, the method further comprising:
- using the lid to make a leak-resistant seal with the rim of the container; and
- shaking the container so as to mix ingredients included in the consumable item.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 26, 2008
Publication Date: May 27, 2010
Inventors: Corey Wilson (Elyria, OH), Jeff Feliciano (Elyria, OH)
Application Number: 12/324,052
International Classification: B65D 25/14 (20060101);