Incremental Eating Container

Abstract

An incremental eating container. The incremental eating container can have a tubular body having a first end, a second end and enclosing a cavity, and at least one separation line defined in the tubular body and extending around the circumference thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND

It has become a common practice in modern society to consume food while “on-the-go.” That is, instead of sitting at a table to consume a meal, some individuals find it preferable to consume the meal while en route to a destination, whether on foot, or in a vehicle. Certain food items are well-adapted to being consumed on-the-go. Such food items are typically ones that can easily be held by the individual, for example, hamburgers, hot dogs, candy bars, or snacks provided in small bags. The provision of a bun, a wrapper, or a similar container allows the food item to easily be held during consumption and reduces the the need for utensils.

Nevertheless, such food items still require the individual to make contact between the hands and the food, thereby coating the hands with food particles, oils, and so forth. Portions of such food items can also be dropped by the individual. Additionally, when an individual is outside their home, their hands may not be sufficiently sanitary for contacting the food.

Accordingly, a solution for easily and sanitarily consuming foods while on-the-go is desirable.

SUMMARY

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an incremental eating container is disclosed. The incremental eating container can have a tubular body having a first end, a second end and enclosing a cavity, and at least one separation line defined in the tubular body and extending around the circumference thereof.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an incremental eating container is disclosed. The incremental eating container can include a strip having a first end, a second end, and a pair of longitudinal edges, the strip being wound in a substantially helical path about an axis. The longitudinal edges of the strip being detachably coupled to each other along a portion of the length of the strip so as to form a tubular body around the axis, the tubular body enclosing a cavity for supporting food items therein.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a blank for an incremental eating container is disclosed. The blank can have a first transverse edge, a second transverse edge, a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, and at least one separation line having a first end at the first longitudinal edge and a second end at the second longitudinal edge, the separation line extending between the first end and the second end.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a blank for an incremental eating container is disclosed. The blank can include a first transverse edge, a second transverse edge, a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, and at least two adjacent segments, each segment having a first end proximate the first longitudinal edge and a second end proximate the second longitudinal edge, each segment extending between the first end and the second end, wherein each segment is detachably coupled to at least one adjacent segment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an incremental eating container.

FIG. 1b is a top plan view of a first exemplary embodiment of a blank for an incremental eating container.

FIG. 1c is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a blank for an incremental eating container.

FIG. 2a is a top plan view of a second exemplary embodiment of a blank for an incremental eating container.

FIG. 2b is a top plan view of an incremental eating container formed from the blank of FIG. 2a.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a third exemplary embodiment of a blank for an incremental eating container.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a blank for an incremental eating container.

FIG. 5a is a top plan view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a blank for an incremental eating container.

FIG. 5b is a perspective view of an incremental eating container formed from the blank of FIG. 5a.

FIG. 6a is a top plan view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a blank for an incremental eating container.

FIG. 6b is a perspective view of an incremental eating container formed from the blank of FIG. 6a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description, discussion of several terms used herein follows.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an incremental eating container is disclosed. The incremental eating container can have a substantially tubular shape for enclosing a portion of food. Separation lines, which may be perforated, may be defined in the container. The separation lines can allow portions of the container to be torn off as the food therein is consumed. To consume the food, the user can hold the container by its outer surface, and consume the portion of the food that is proximate the edge of the container. Subsequently, the user can tear off a portion of the container that is proximate the edge of the container, thereby allowing the user to access a subsequent portion of the food. The incremental eating container can allow for convenient consumption of food without the need for additional tableware while minimizing contact between the user's hands and the food. Furthermore, the incremental eating container can be sized to be portable so as to allow a user to consume the food in any desired location.

Referring now to FIG. 1a, an incremental eating container 100 may have a generally elongated, tubular configuration. An outer surface 102 may be held by the user, while an inner surface 104 may enclose a cavity 106 into which food items may be placed. Container 100 may further have a first end 108 and a second end 110, the two ends 108, 110 being disposed substantially at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis of container 100. Container 100 may have a first longitudinal edge 118 and a second longitudinal edge 120. Longitudinal edges 118, 120 may be coupled in an overlapping position, creating an overlap area 124.

A series of separation lines 112 may be provided in container 100. In some exemplary embodiments, longitudinal edges 118, 120 may overlap in a way that separation lines 112 align to create an integrated separation line 126. The integrated separation line 126 may commence proximate first end 108 of container 100, and may terminate proximate second end 110. Furthermore, in some exemplary embodiments, the integrated separation line 126 may be continuous, extending in a substantially helical path over the length of container 100. As used herein, “substantially helical” should be understood to mean that separation lines 112 can include a plurality of loops extending fully around the circumference of container 100. However, the specific path of separation line 112 can have any configuration, and can further include straight segments, curved segments, undulating segments, stepped segments, and so forth. The specific path of separation line 112 can depend on the particular blank used to form container 100, as will be discussed in detail further below.

The separation lines 112 can define strips 114, disposed on either side of or between separation lines 112. Longitudinal edges 118, 120 may be aligned and coupled such that strips 114 align to form an integrated strip 128. The substantially helical path of separation line 112 can define a substantially helical, continuous strip 114 disposed between any two neighboring segments of separation line 112. The strip 114 can likewise commence proximate first end 108, terminate proximate second end 110 and include therebetween a plurality of loops defining the circumference of container 100. The strip 114 can be detachably coupled to itself by way of separation line 112, and can facilitate the use of container 100 for incremental eating.

In operation, the user can place a desired portion of food into the cavity 106 of incremental eating container 100. The user may then grip container 100 by its outer surface 102. As container 100 may be deformable, the inner surface 104 of container 100 may then grip the food items, thereby securing the food items within the container. To commence eating, the user may detach an end 116 of strip 114 from the remainder for container 100, for example by tearing along separation line 112. In some exemplary embodiments, a first longitudinal edge 118 may have notches 122, to initiate tearing along the separation lines 112. The user can then consume the portion of food that is proximate the resulting edge of container 100. After consuming the accessible portion of food, the user can continue detaching strip 114 from the remainder of container 100 by tearing along separation 112. An additional portion of food can thus be made accessible and can be consumed by the user. The user can continue detaching strip 114 until the desired portion of food is consumed. The remainder of container 100 may then be stored or disposed of as desired.

Incremental eating container 100 may be formed from any suitable material. In some exemplary embodiments, container 100 may be disposable, and may be made from any suitable polymer, metal foil, or paper-based product. For example, the entirety or portions of container 100 may be made from polymers such as PET, HDPE, MDPE, LDPE, polypropylene, or any other suitable polymer or polymer blend. Portions of container 100 may also be formed from paper-based products such as card stock, folding boxboard, paperboard, cardboard, and the like, and may include a water-resistant lining. Furthermore, the surfaces of paper-based portions of container 100 may include a coating, for example a wax coating, clay coating, polymer coating, or the like, so as to prevent the absorption of liquids and other particles from the food items disposed within container 100. Container 100 may be lined with a secondary substrate such as water resistant paper. The secondary substrate may not have perforated separation lines, but could be torn along the separation lines 112 of container 100. However, the above-enumerated materials should not be construed as limiting and it should be understood that container 100 may be formed from any material that enables it to function as described herein.

Furthermore, container 100 may have various configurations. Several configurations for the container are described below; however, the scope of the invention should not be construed as limited to solely the enumerated embodiments. Exemplary embodiments of blanks that may be used for manufacture of container 100 from substantially flexible materials are shown in the various figures. Various configurations for the shapes of portions of the container can be easily seen in these figures. Substantially similar features between the various embodiments of the blanks are indicated with similar reference numerals, but with different leading digits.

FIG. 1b shows an exemplary embodiment of a blank 150 from which incremental eating container 100 may be formed. Blank 150 may include a first longitudinal edge 152, a second longitudinal edge 154, a first transverse edge 156, and a second transverse edge 158. A plurality of separation lines 160 can extend from first longitudinal edge 152 to second longitudinal edge 154. Each pair of adjacent separation lines 160 can define a segment 166 therebetween.

Each separation line 160 can have a first end 162 disposed at first longitudinal edge 152, and a second end 164 disposed at second longitudinal edge 154. First end 162 may be offset from second end 164 with respect to the lengthwise direction of blank 150. For any separation line 160 out of the plurality of separation lines, first end 162 thereof may be positioned such that it is at substantially the same point along the length of blank 150 as the second end 164 of a first adjacent separation line 160. Likewise, second end 164 of the separation line 160 may be positioned such that it is at the same point along the length of blank 150 as the first end 162 of a second adjacent separation line 160.

Similarly, each segment 166 can have a first end 168 disposed at first longitudinal edge 152 and a second end 170 disposed at second longitudinal edge 154. First end 168 may be offset from second end 170 in the lengthwise direction of blank 150. For any segment 166 out of the plurality of segments, first end 168 thereof may be positioned such that it is at the same point along the length of blank 150 as the second end 170 of a first adjacent segment 166. Likewise, second end 170 of the segment 166 may be positioned such that it is at the same point along the length of blank 150 as the first end 168 of a second adjacent segment 166.

The offset configuration of separation lines 160 can further define a pair of terminal segments 167, which are disposed between a separation line 160 and a transverse edge of blank 150. The terminal segments 167 can extend for only a portion of the width of blank 150, and can have an end at one of the longitudinal edges of the blank.

In the exemplary embodiment of blank 150, the separation lines 160 and segments 166 can extend generally parallel to the transverse edges of blank 150. Each separation line 160 and segment 166 can have two portions extending parallel to the transverse edges of blank 150, as well as a diagonal portion extending at an oblique angle to the transverse edges of blank 150. The diagonal portion can facilitate the above-described offset between first end 162 and second end 164 of separation lines 160 as well as the first end 168 and second end 170 of segments 166.

Additionally, blank 150 can include a crease line 169 that mirrors the diagonal portion of perforation line 160. The segment 166 can be bent along the diagonal crease line 169. The combination of the crease line 169 and the diagonal portion of 166, can allow for the formation of a supporting structure for the contents of the container.

Additionally, a pull tab 190 may be coupled to an edge of the first segment 166. The pull tab 190 can facilitate gripping the first segment so as to begin the tearing off of the segment.

To form container 100, blank 150 may be rolled into a tubular shape by overlapping first longitudinal edge 152 and second longitudinal edge 154. The overlapping portions of blank 150 can then be coupled to each other in any known manner, for example adhesives, stables, fasteners, and the like. The area of overlap 172 can be a portion of the width of blank 150. In some exemplary embodiments, the area of overlap 172 may be provided with an adhesive so as to facilitate coupling the overlapping portions of blank 150. Furthermore, when forming container 100, each transverse edge should be aligned with itself so as to form substantially flush ends for container 100. Forming container 100 in this manner can result in that the first end 168 of each segment 166 is coupled to a second end 170 of an adjacent segment 166, thereby coupling the segments to each other. Additionally, for segments 166 disposed proximate an end of container 100, an end thereof may be coupled to an end of a terminal segment 167. Thus, the above-described coupling of segments 166 to each other can result in the formation of strip 114 of container 100, while terminal segments 167 can form the ends 116 of strip 114, which the user can detach from the remainder of container 100 to facilitate further detaching of strip 114 from container 100.

FIG. 1c shows an exemplary embodiment of a blank 700. Blank 700 can include a pair of end walls 782 at each end thereof. The end walls can be defined between the transverse edges 756, 758 and crease lines 757 disposed proximate the transverse edges. The end wall 782 can be pivoted into a vertical position so as to maintain food disposed within the container formed from blank 700.

The container formed from blank 700 can have a faceted shape, for example having a substantially hexagonal cross section. Longitudinal crease lines 759 can facilitate forming the faceted shape of the container from blank 700. Each separation line 760 has a first end 762 and a second end 764. Crease lines 757, longitudinal crease lines 759 and end walls 782 may facilitate the alignment of separation lines 760 such that when folded, the first end 762 of a separation line 760 aligns with the second end 764 of a preceding separation line 760.

An adhesive strip 770 may run along a second longitudinal end 752. The adhesive strip 770 may couple with an overlapping tack area 772 running along a first longitudinal edge 754. A plurality of corresponding gripping flaps 793 may exist adjacent to a first longitudinal edge 754, forming a panel 774. The gripping flaps 793 may provide additional coupling and may facilitate gripping and tearing along separation lines 760.

Each segment 766 can have a gripping flap 793 disposed at an end 768 thereof. Notches 792 can be defined in a longitudinal edge 755 of blank 700 so as to facilitate ease of tearing of gripping flaps 793 and the corresponding segments 766. Gripping flaps 793 may have indicia disposed thereon. For example, gripping flaps 793 may be numbered.

A pair of latches 786 may be disposed at a longitudinal edge of blank 700. Latches 786 may have sufficient length so as to be received in corresponding slits 785 defined in blank 700 when the container is formed from blank 700. When latches 786 are engaged with corresponding slits 785, a base of the container may be defined from the slits 785 to a second longitudinal edge 752, and a lid may be defined from a first longitudinal line 754 to the slits 785. Latches 786 can thus facilitate alignment and in maintaining the shape of the container formed from blank 700.

A second exemplary embodiment of a blank 250 is shown in FIG. 2. The separation lines 260 can have a sinusoidal shape, with peaks located at the longitudinal edges 252, 254, and substantially at the midpoint therebetween. Peaks of the sinusoidal shape can be located substantially at the midpoint between each pair of valleys.

When blank 250 is formed into an incremental eating container 200, segments 267 may be removed prior or after the formation of the container. Removal of segments 267, as well as the undulating shape of segments 266 can facilitate forming curved “bite lines” at the ends 208, 210 of container 200, as shown in the top view of container 200 in FIG. 2b. The bite lines can allow the user to easily consume the food disposed within container 200.

Separation lines 260 and segments 266 can have a shape substantially similar to that of transverse edge 256, with the difference that the peak located proximate longitudinal edge 254 may be higher than the other two peaks, thereby creating the offset between ends 262, 264 of each separation line 260 as well as the offset of ends 268, 270 of each segment 266. The curved bite line can thus be maintained as the user tears off the continuous strip from container 200. An adhesive strip 272 may be located along a longitudinal edge 252 to aid in coupling with a second longitudinal edge 254, forming food holding cavity. Further, a starter tab 290 may be situated at an end of a first segment 266, to initiate separation along separation lines 260.

A third exemplary embodiment of blank 350 is shown in FIG. 3. The first transverse edge 356 of blank 350 can have an undulating shape, and the second transverse edge 358 may have an undulating shape mirroring that of the first transverse edge. Crease lines 357 disposed proximate transverse edges 356, 358 can define end wall portions 382 between the crease line and the corresponding transverse edge. Crease lines 357 can allow end wall portions 382 to be pivoted into a vertical position so as to create end walls for maintaining food disposed within the container formed from blank 350. Longitudinal crease lines 359 can facilitate forming a container having a cross-section substantially the same as the shape of end wall portions 382.

A central segment 374 may be disposed between transverse edges 356, 358, for example approximately at the longitudinal midpoint of blank 350. A plurality of separation lines 360a and segments 366a can be disposed between first transverse edge 356 and central segment 374. Additionally, a plurality of separation lines 360b and segments 366b can be disposed between second transverse edge 358 and central segment 374.

Separation lines 360a and segments 366a can have a sinusoidal shape and the peak located proximate second longitudinal edge 352 may be higher than the other two peaks, thereby creating the offset between ends 362, 364 of each separation line 360a as well as the ends 368, 370 of each segment 366a. Similarly, separation lines 360b and segments 366b can have a sinusoidal shape and the valley located proximate first longitudinal edge 356 may be deeper than the other two valleys, thereby creating the offset between ends 362, 364 of each separation line 360b as well as the ends 368, 370 of each segment 366b. A blank 350 having such a configuration can be used to form a container having a bite line at both ends. The user can thus use either end of the container for incremental eating from either side of the container while holding the container by central segment 374.

Furthermore, in some exemplary embodiments, a central cup 380 may be provided at central segment 374. The cup 380 may be adhered to segment 374 and may include a pair of end walls 384 that are oriented vertically and have a shape similar to end walls 382. The cup 380 can facilitate maintaining additional food items therein separate from the food items disposed in the rest of the container, for example condiment packets and the like, and the end walls 382 can provide additional structural support to the container.

A latch 386 may be disposed at a longitudinal edge of blank 350 and proximate central segment 374. Latch 386 may have sufficient length so as to be received in a slit 387 defined in blank 350 when the container is formed from blank 350. Latch 386 can thus maintain the shape of the container formed from blank 350. Additionally an aperture 385 may be provided in latch 386 so as to allow access to the food items in cup 384.

A fourth exemplary embodiment of blank 450 is shown in FIG. 4. In the exemplary embodiment, the separation lines 460 and segments 466 can extend substantially diagonally across blank 450. Each separation line 460 and segments 466 can have two portions extending parallel to the transverse edges of blank 450, with a diagonal portion extending at an oblique angle to the transverse edges of blank 450. The parallel portions can be disposed proximate the longitudinal edges 452, 454 of the blank, while the diagonal portion can extend therebetween. The angle of the diagonal portion can facilitate the offset between first end 462 and second end 464 of separation lines 460 as well as the first end 468 and second end 470 of segments 466.

A fifth exemplary embodiment of a blank 550 is shown in FIG. 5a. In the exemplary embodiment, separation lines 560 and segments 566 may extend across blank 550 substantially parallel to the transverse edges thereof. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, there may not be an offset between the ends of separation lines 560 as well as the ends of segments 566. Instead, a tab 576 may be provided, extending from an end of each segment 566.

As a consequence of the configuration of blank 550, the incremental eating container 500 formed therefrom and shown in FIG. 5b may not have a substantially helical, continuous strip. Rather, the container can have a plurality of annular segments 518 removably coupled to each other by way of annular separation lines 520. Furthermore, tabs 576 may extend outwardly from the outer surface of the incremental eating container, with each tab being coupled to an annular segment 518. Consequently, to use incremental eating container 500, the user may utilize tabs 576 to successively detach segments 518 from the remainder of the incremental eating container 500.

A sixth exemplary embodiment of a blank 650 is shown in FIG. 6a. In the exemplary embodiment, separation lines 660 and segments 666 may extend across blank 650 substantially parallel to the transverse edges thereof. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, there may not be an offset between the ends of separation lines 660 as well as the ends of segments 666. At least one pull tab 692 may be disposed at a transverse edge of blank 650. Pull tab 692 can be coupled to a pull line 694, which may be, for example, a strip of blank 650 separated by a pair of longitudinally extending separation lines 696.

The incremental eating container 600 formed from blank 650 and shown in FIG. 6b may not have a substantially helical, continuous strip. Rather, the container can have a plurality of annular segments 618 removably coupled to each other by way of annular separation lines 620. Furthermore, the pull line 694 can extend substantially longitudinally along container 600. To use incremental eating container 600, the user may pull on tab 692 so as to detach a portion of pull line 694 from container 600, thereby splitting one or more segments 618. The user can then detach the one or more segments 618 from the remainder of the incremental eating container 600 by pulling on the free ends of the segments. Additionally, the split segments may initially not be detached entirely from container 600, but may be laid flat to provide a substantially flat surface for supporting a portion of food thereon.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An incremental eating container, comprising:

a tubular body having a first end, a second end, a first longitudinal edge overlapping a second longitudinal edge and enclosing a cavity; and

a series of separation lines defined in the tubular body and extending around the circumference thereof.

2. The incremental eating container of claim 1, wherein the series of separation lines commences proximate the first end, terminates proximate the second end, and is continuous therebetween.

3. The incremental eating container of claim 1, wherein the series of separation lines commences proximate the first end, terminates proximate the second end, and extends in a substantially helical path therebetween.

4. An incremental eating container, comprising a series of adjacent strips, each having a first end, a second end, and a pair of longitudinal edges, the longitudinal edges of the strips being detachably coupled to each other along a portion of the length of the strip so as to create an integrated strip to form a tubular body wound in a substantially helical path around the axis, the tubular body enclosing a cavity for supporting food items therein.

5. The incremental eating container of claim 4, wherein:

the first end of the integrated strip is disposed at a first end of the tubular body; and

the second end of the integrated strip is disposed at a second end of the tubular body.

6. The incremental eating container of claim 4, wherein the transverse edges of the strip are detachably coupled to each other by at least one separation line.

7. A blank for an incremental eating container, comprising:

a first transverse edge;

a second transverse edge;

a first longitudinal edge;

a second longitudinal edge; and

at least one separation line having a first end at the first longitudinal edge and a second end at the second longitudinal edge, the separation line extending between the first end and the second end.

8. The blank of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of separation lines, each separation line having a first end at the first longitudinal edge and a second end at the second longitudinal edge and extending therebetween.

9. The blank of claim 8, wherein one or more of the first transverse edge and the second transverse edge is shaped so as to define a bite line.

10. The blank for an incremental eating container of claim 8, further comprising internal partitions disposed within the cavity.

11. The blank of claim 8, further comprising a latch coupled thereto and receivable in a slit so as to maintain the shape of the incremental eating container.

12. The blank of claim 8, wherein the second end of a separation line is aligned with the first end of an adjacent separation line.

13. The blank of claim 12, wherein the separation line includes at least one portion extending parallel to a transverse edge of the blank and at least one portion extending at an oblique angle to the transverse edge of the blank.

14. The blank of claim 12, wherein the separation line includes at least one curvilinear portion.

15. The blank of claim 12, further comprising at least one second separation line extending between the first transverse edge and the second transverse edge.

16. A blank for an incremental eating container, comprising:

a first transverse edge;

a second transverse edge;

a first longitudinal edge;

a second longitudinal edge; and

at least two adjacent segments, each segment having a first end proximate the first longitudinal edge and a second end proximate the second longitudinal edge, each segment extending between the first end and the second end;

wherein each segment is detachably coupled to at least one adjacent segment.

17. The blank of claim 16, wherein the second end of a segment is aligned with the first end of an adjacent segment line.

18. The blank of claim 16, wherein the segment includes at least one portion extending parallel to a transverse edge of the blank and at least one portion extending at an oblique angle to the transverse edge of the blank.

19. The blank of claim 16, wherein the segment includes at least one curvilinear portion.

20. The blank of claim 16, further comprising a pull tab disposed at an end of at least one segment.

21. The blank of claim 16, further comprising a latch coupled thereto and receivable in a slit so as to maintain the shape of the incremental eating container.

22. The blank of claim 16, wherein the transverse edges pivot to form end walls.

23. The blank of claim 16, further comprising a liner.

24. The blank of claim 16, further comprising internal partitions disposed within the cavity.

25. The blank of claim 16, wherein one or more of the first end and the second end is shaped so as to define a bite line.