CONDIMENT POUCH FOR FOOD CONTAINERS

Abstract

A condiment pouch includes a first flexible side that faces the portable container. A second flexible side faces away from the container and is spaced therefrom. Each side includes linear outer edges that are conjoined together and travel along an entire length of the condiment pouch. The sides are adaptable between expanded and contracted positions while the condiment pouch is affixed to the container. The sides define a hollow chamber therebetween for receiving condiments. A bottom surface has an outer periphery connected to the flexible sides. The bottom surface is disposed at a fixed and expanded position. The bottom surface is offset from a horizontal plane while the sides are adapted to the engaged position such that the bottom surface slopes upwardly and away from a back side of the container. A mechanism is included for removably affixing the condiment pouch to the container, adjacent to a top opening thereof.

Description

GROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/695,118, filed Jun. 30, 2005.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to condiment pouches and, more particularly, to a condiment pouch for food containers for storing condiments when eating foodstuff from a portable container.

2. Prior Art

In today's fast-paced society, prepared foods found at supermarkets and particularly at “fast-food” restaurants, are extremely popular and useful. Prepared foods utilize disposable paperboard containers that are required to be stackable and nestable, one within another, either when partially or fully open. The containers must also be economical to manufacture, simple to use, and disposable after use. With particular prepared foods, such as fried foods, vegetables, and fruits, it is often desirable to provide a condiment for dipping or scooping.

In the “fast food” environment, condiments, such as ketchup, mustard, marinara sauce, and “fry sauce” are often desired for immediate consumption with French fry, onion ring, mozzarella stick, and other fried foods. The primary method for providing such condiments is in separately packaged materials and containers, or in bulk quantities where the user can pump the condiments into small cups for scooping. The user is then required to place the separately packaged condiment container in a separate location from the food container containing the prepared food where the user can then scoop the prepared food into the condiment container.

It is desirable to combine the condiment container with the food container and it becomes important for the user to be able to manage both the prepared food and the condiment with a single hand and at the same time. In an effort to address this need, various containers have been developed over the years. Various containers have been developed with pockets placed directly on the food containers themselves for the direct and open reception of condiments therein. For example one prior art example discloses a paperboard food WAS container with a flip-out pocket that is operably mounted within the container to a front panel, a rear panels and to the side wall along a bottom edge. The condiment is then poured directly into the flip-out pocket.

Further examples disclose a container having a first receptacle and an adjacent second fluid tight receptacle for condiments, and a container having a “dual bag” container including a primary bag for French fries coupled to a secondary bag for ketchup. The problem with the above-noted example is that they do not allow for the interchange of condiments once they are filled, the condiments quickly become messy and are not dually contained during the eating process, and in some circumstances they place the condiment directly in the way of the user's hand when reaching for the food.

Accordingly, a need remains for a condiment pouch for a French fries container in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing an assembly that is convenient and easy to use, is inexpensive to produce, and provides users with a safe means of dipping their French fries in a desired condiment, especially while driving. Such an assembly sufficiently and securely separates the fries from the condiment, facilitating hassle-free dipping thereof while also eliminating the need to squirt a condiment into the container, which can become messy. The easily opened pouches provided with the container can easily be used by persons of all ages, thus allowing even children to enjoy their fries without creating a mess. Seeing as the provide pouch holds a sufficient amount of ketchup therein, a person no longer has to dispense 5, 6 or more packets of ketchup into their food container, where excess ketchup could end up leaking out from the bottom of the container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a condiment pouch for a food container. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a condiment pouch for storing condiments when eating food from a portable container.

The condiment pouch includes a first flexible side that has a smooth exterior surface facing the portable container. A second flexible side has a smooth exterior surface facing away from the portable container. Such a second side further is spaced from the container. Each of the first and second sides includes linear outer edges that are directly conjoined together and travel along an entire longitudinal length of the condiment pouch. Such first and second sides are repeatedly adaptable between expanded and contracted positions while the condiment pouch is affixed to the container. The first and second sides effectively define a hollow chamber therebetween for conveniently receiving condiments.

The second side of the condiment pouch may be displaced outwardly and away from the container such that a top end of the condiment pouch is laterally spaced away from the first side. The first and second sides are flexed about a centrally registered longitudinal axis passing through the condiment pouch. Such first and second sides preferably diverge downwardly and away from a top end of the condiment pouch while respective top ends of the first and second sides are directly abutted and maintained at the engaged position.

A bottom surface has an outer periphery directly connected to the first and second flexible sides. Such a bottom surface is disposed at a fixed and expanded position. The bottom surface is offset from a horizontal plane while the first and second sides are adapted to the engaged position such that the bottom surface slopes upwardly and away from a back side of the container. Such a bottom surface preferably maintains a fixed oval shape when the first and second sides are adapted between the extended and engaged positions respectively.

A mechanism is included for removably affixing the condiment pouch to the container such that the condiment pouch is seated adjacent to a top opening of the container. The removably affixing mechanism preferably includes an adhesive tape that is directly coupled to the first side of the condiment pouch and a back side of the container respectively. Such an adhesive tape may have a single and unitary body that is provided with front and rear faces directly attached to the first side of the condiment pouch and the back side of the container respectively.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

It is noted the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a condiment pouch for a food container, in accordance with the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the condiment pouch shown in FIG. 1, showing the pouch attached to a food container; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pouch shown in FIG. 2>showing the pouch adapted to an expanded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, this embodiment is provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the figures.

The apparatus of this invention is referred to generally in FIGS. 1-3 by the reference numeral 10 and is intended to provide a condiment pouch for a food container. It should be understood that the apparatus 10 may be used to hold many different types of condiments and may be attached to a variety of containers, and should not be limited in use to only attaching a ketchup pouch to a French fries container.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the apparatus 10 includes a first flexible side 20 that has a smooth exterior surface 21 facing the portable container 11. PA second flexible side 22 has a smooth exterior surface 23 facing away from the portable container 11. Such a second side 22 further is spaced from the container 11. Each of the first 20 and second 22 sides includes linear outer edges 29 that are directly conjoined together, without the use of intervening elements, and travel along an entire longitudinal length of the condiment pouch 10. Such first 20 and second 22 sides are repeatedly adaptable between expanded and contracted positions while the condiment pouch 10 is affixed to the container 11. The first 20 and second 22 sides effectively define a hollow chamber 24 therebetween, which is essential for conveniently receiving condiments therein,

Again referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the second side 22 of the condiment pouch 10 is displaced outwardly and away from the container 11 such that a top end 25 of the condiment pouch 10 is laterally spaced away from the first side 20. The first 20 and second 22 sides are flexed about a centrally registered longitudinal axis passing through the condiment pouch 10. Such first 20 and second 22 sides diverge downwardly and away from a top end 25 of the condiment pouch 10 while respective top ends 26A, 26B of the first 20 and second 22 sides are directly abutted, without the use of intervening elements, and maintained at the engaged position.

Referring to FIG. 1, a bottom surface 27 has an outer periphery 28 directly connected, without the use of intervening elements, to the first 20 and second 22 flexible sides. Such a bottom surface 27 is disposed at a fixed and expanded position. The bottom surface 27 is offset from a horizontal plane while the first 20 and second 22 sides are adapted to the engaged position such that the bottom surface 27 slopes upwardly and away from a back side 12 of the container 11. Such a bottom surface 27 maintains a fixed oval shape when the first 20 and second 22 sides are adapted between the extended and engaged positions respectively.

Still referring to FIG. 1, a mechanism 30 is included for removably affixing the condiment pouch 10 to the container 1 1 such that the condiment pouch 10 is seated adjacent to a top opening 13 of the container 11. Of course, the apparatus 10 may be attached to the container at any other suitable location, as is obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The removably affixing mechanism 30 includes an adhesive tape 31 that is directly coupled, without the use of intervening elements, to the first side 20 of the condiment pouch 10 and a back side 12 of the container 11 respectively. Such an adhesive tape 31 has a single and unitary body 32 that is provided with front 33A and rear 33B faces directly attached, without the use of intervening elements, to the first side 20 of the condiment pouch 10 and the back side 12 of the container 11 respectively.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain specific embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

In particular, with respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present invention may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation. The assembly and use of the present invention are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A condiment pouch for storing condiments when eating food from a portable container, said condiment pouch comprising:

a first flexible side having a smooth exterior surface facing the portable container;

a second flexible side having a smooth exterior surface facing away from the portable container, said second side further being spaced from the container;

a bottom surface having an outer periphery directly connected to said first and second flexible sides, said bottom surface being disposed at a fixed and expanded position; and

means for removably affixing said condiment pouch to the container such that said condiment pouch is seated adjacent to a top opening of the container;

wherein said first and second sides are repeatedly adaptable between expanded and contracted positions while said condiment pouch is affixed to the container, said first and second sides defining a hollow chamber therebetween for receiving condiments.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said removably affixing means comprises:

an adhesive tape directly coupled to said first side of said condiment pouch and a back side of the container respectively.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said adhesive tape has a single and unitary body provided with front and rear faces directly attached to said first side of said condiment pouch and the back side of the container respectively.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second side of said condiment pouch is displaced outwardly and away from the container such that a top end of said condiment pouch is laterally spaced away from said first side, said first and second sides being flexed about a centrally registered longitudinal axis passing through said condiment pouch.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bottom surface maintains a fixed oval shape when said first and second sides are adapted between the extended and engaged positions respectively.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second sides diverge downwardly and away from a top end of said condiment pouch while respective top ends of said first and second sides are directly abutted and maintained at the engaged position.

7. A condiment pouch for storing condiments when eating food from a portable container, said condiment pouch comprising

a first flexible side having a smooth exterior surface facing the portable container;

a second flexible side having a smooth exterior surface facing away from the portable container said second side further being spaced from the container wherein each of said first and second sides includes linear outer edges directly conjoined together and traveling along an entire longitudinal length of said condiment pouch;

a bottom surface having an outer periphery directly connected to said first and second flexible sides, said bottom surface being disposed at a fixed and expanded position, and

means for removably affixing said condiment pouch to the container such that said condiment pouch is seated adjacent to a top opening of the container;

wherein said first and second sides are repeatedly adaptable between expanded and contracted positions while said condiment pouch is affixed to the container, said first and second sides defining a hollow chamber therebetween for receiving condiments.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said removably affixing means comprises:

an adhesive tape directly coupled to said first side of said condiment pouch and a back side of the container respectively.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said adhesive tape has a single and unitary body provided with front and rear faces directly attached to said first side of said condiment pouch and the back side of the container respectively.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said second side of said condiment pouch is displaced outwardly and away from the container such that a top end of said condiment pouch is laterally spaced away from said first side, said first and second sides being flexed about a centrally registered longitudinal axis passing through said condiment pouch.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said bottom surface maintains a fixed oval shape when said first and second sides are adapted between the extended and engaged positions respectively.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first and second sides diverge downwardly and away from a top end of said condiment pouch while respective top ends of said first and second sides are directly abutted and maintained at the engaged position.

13. A condiment pouch for storing condiments when eating food from a portable container, said condiment pouch comprising:

a first flexible side having a smooth exterior surface facing the portable container:

a second flexible side having a smooth exterior surface facing away from the portable container, said second side further being spaced from the container, wherein each of said first and second sides includes linear outer edges directly conjoined together and traveling along an entire longitudinal length of said condiment pouch;

a bottom surface having an outer periphery directly connected to said first and second flexible sides, said bottom surface being disposed at a fixed and expanded position, wherein said bottom surface is offset from a horizontal plane while said first and second sides are adapted to the engaged position such that said bottom surface slopes upwardly and away from a back side of the container; and

means for removably affixing said condiment pouch to the container such that said condiment pouch is seated adjacent to a top opening of the container;

wherein said first and second sides are repeatedly adaptable between expanded and contracted positions while said condiment pouch is affixed to the container, said first and second sides defining a hollow chamber therebetween for receiving condiments.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said removably affixing means comprises:

an adhesive tape directly coupled to said first side of said condiment pouch and a back side of the container respectively.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said adhesive tape has a single and unitary body provided with front and rear faces directly attached to said first side of said condiment pouch and the back side of the container respectively.

16. The apparatus of claim 13S wherein said second side of said condiment pouch is displaced outwardly and away from the container such that a top end of said condiment pouch is laterally spaced away from said first side, said first and second sides being flexed about a centrally registered longitudinal axis passing through said condiment pouch.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said bottom surface maintains a fixed oval shape when said first and second sides are adapted between the extended and engaged positions respectively.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said first and second sides diverge downwardly and away from a top end of said condiment pouch while respective top ends of said first and second sides are directly abutted and maintained at the engaged position.