SNACK CONTAINER

Abstract

A first portion and a second portion form a container which can hold objects. The first portion and second portion is connected using screw threads. A lid can be utilized to seal one portion, enabling different objects to be placed in one portion of the container and not be indirect contact with the other portion of the container. A snack food is placed into one portion and a toy in the other portion. A lid handle is folded inward and is utilized to remove the lid and obtain the object in that portion of the container.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the b of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/736,072, filed Nov. 9, 2005, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This application relates generally to a toy and snack product, and more particularly, to a container containing both a combination of both a snack and a toy.

2. General Background

Small novelty items, toys and snack items are generally sold in containers. A combination of a snack item and a toy or other novelty item is more marketable. By offering two different items, the appeal to children is greater.

One problem with selling a product containing both a food item and a novelty item is the need for separation of the two items for safety and health concerns. The aim of the present disclosure is to provide an easy and sufficient way to separate the two items.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a container comprises a first portion, which can be a half and a second portion which can be a half. The first half and second half can be combined to form a container that is able to hold objects. The first and second half contain a screw thread to enable the halves to be placed together and make the container.

In another aspect, a lid is placed on the second half sealing the second half from the first half. Consequently, the objects in the second half do not come into contact with the objects in the first half.

In another aspect, the lid further comprises a lid handle. The lid handle enables the lid to be removed from the second half of the container to enable access to the objects therein.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide both a toy and a snack item in a container by providing a first half of a container with a toy in the first half; providing a second half of a container with a snack item; sealing the second half with a lid; and screwing the first half to the second half utilizing a screw thread to make the container.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a container can be used to store small objects once the lid has been removed and the container is emptied.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a container holding both a novelty item and a snack item.

FIG. 2 depicts a side cross view of a container holding both a novelty item and a snack item.

FIG. 3 depicts a side cross view of a container in an unscrewed position.

FIG. 4 depicts a view of a first half and a second half of the container.

FIG. 5 depicts a view of the container further comprising a sealed plastic wrap packaging.

FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of the container.

FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment of the container.

FIG. 8 depicts a bottle embodiment of the container.

FIG. 9 depicts another bottle embodiment of the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a container 100 is in the shape of a ball.

The shape of the container 100 may be a cube, cone or any other shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the ball container is 2.5 inches. The diameter of the ball is not limited to this size. Other embodiments have a diameter of 5 inches or can be smaller than 2.5 inches. The container can be of any size or shape. There are two or more components to form the container. In particular there can be several components forming the outer surface of the container, and there can be several compartments in the container.

FIG. 2 depicts a side cross view of a container holding both a novelty item and a snack item. The container 100 comprises a first half 105 and second half 110. The first half 105 and the second half 110 comprise an open end 115. In exemplary embodiments, the container is constructed of non-edible material. For example, the container may be constructed with plastic, nylon, metal, or ceramics. Of course other materials are also contemplated to be used in construction of the container.

In other embodiments, the container is constructed of partially non-edible material. For example, the connecting attachment of two halves may be made of non-edible material, while the remaining half comprise edible material.

Turning now to FIG. 3, in exemplary embodiments, the first half 105 and the second half 110 are connected at the open ends 115 using a screw thread 120. Use of a screw thread 120 ensures closure of the container and helps maintain freshness of any food snack in the container.

In some other forms of the disclosure there may not be a screw thread. There is some other positive engaging formations to ensure that the different halves are held together. This can be a clip formation and/or a bayonet type configuration. There can be the same positive and/or inter-engaging and/or interlocking formations, namely where there are 3 or 4 or more parts forming the container. In a closed form the engagement of the parts is positive and/or interactive and/or interlocking to prevent inadvertent separation without human interaction. Preferably some kind of twist action is necessary to effect the desired separation of at least some of the components.

A particular embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted in FIG. 4, comprising a lid 125 sealing the open end 115 of the first half 105 of the container, separating the second half 110 from the first half 105. The lid 125 may comprise flexible plastic, aluminum, or a specially treated paper layer.

In particular embodiments, the lid 125 is a flat seal across the open end 115 of the first half 105 of the container. In other embodiments, the lid 125 may include an cup extending into the second half 110. This will enable a larger object to be placed in the first half 105 of the container.

The sealed first half 105 contains a food snack. In particular embodiments, the first half 105 contains candies, bubble gums, chocolate, yogurt, cheese, crackers, or other similar items.

In particular embodiments, the lid 125 further comprises a lid handle 130. The lid handle 130 is folded inward and is used to pull open the lid 125 enabling access to the first half 105 of the container 100.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second half 110 of the container 100 contains a small object like a toy surprise. In other embodiments, unassembled toy and instructions, small gifts, surprises, stickers figurines, souvenirs, or electronic devices may be contained in the second half 110.

In FIG. 5 there is an exemplary embodiment wherein the container is sealed using utilizing a plastic wrap 200. The plastic wrap 200 secures the inside content of the container 100 to be sure that it has not been tampered with, as well as preventing the first half 105 and second half 110 to be opened by anyone. The plastic wrap 200 may cover the whole container 100 or cover the container 100 partially to seal the connection between the first half 105 and the second half 110.

In a particular embodiment, utilization of a plastic wrap 200 also provides space for brand identification, promotion, nutritional information, bar code and other useful information. On one side of the plastic wrap 200, there is a perforated strip 210 that goes from top to bottom of plastic wrap 200. On top and bottom of the strip there is a small groove 205 to grab the packaging to tear the entire strip easily, and removing the plastic wrap 200 from the container 100.

Another embodiment of the container 100 is depicted in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the container 100 comprises a first half 300 and second half 320. The first half 300 and the second half 320 are connected using a screw thread attachment. In this embodiment, a separator cup 310 seals the first half 300 from the second half 320. The separator cup 310 extends into the second half 320. This enables a larger novelty item 305, such as a toy, to be placed into the first half 300.

The separator cup 310 still allows for a food material 315 to be placed into the second half 320 of the container. In exemplary embodiments, the food material 315 is chocolate and is shaped to fit in line with the separator cup 310.

This container material product can be made for instance of plastic, molded stock paper, or cardboard.

The wrap 200 can be plastic shrink wrap packaging on the outside of the ball so that it is sealed by a plastic shrink wrap. This also provides space for brand identification, promotion, nutritional information, or bar code.

In FIG. 7 there is shown another way to separate the food from the toy/object, in which the food/snack is inside a sealed plastic bag 330 that fits the half cup 300, and the toy/object is inside a sealed plastic bag 335 that fit the half cup 320.

The product can apply to a ball shape as well as to any other shape of form imaginable, such as box, cone, bag, pyramid, or bottle.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 & 9 there is a bottle version which is a plastic container in a shape of a bottle. It opens up, by unscrewing the top portion 400 and bottom portion 402 by a quarter of a turn. The easy opening and closing of container 400 and 402 is achieved by an internal screw thread 404 on container 400, that slides into and with the corresponding external screw thread root 406 of container 402.

The top portion 400 is a small bottle container, with a bottle cap 408 and a bottle bottom 410. The bottle contains liquid such as a soft drink, milk, chocolate milk, drinkable yogurt, smoothies, juice, or water.

The bottom portion 402 is a non-sealed container that screw on the top part 400. It contains a small object 412, or food. There can also be an unassembled toy and assembly instruction, small gift, surprises, stickers, figurines, souvenirs, electronic devices such as small radio, watches, games, soft candies, hard candies, bubble gums, chocolate, yogurt, cheese, gelatin, crackers, lollipops, candies, bubble gum, or mixed nuts. This can provide for different combinations which can be additive to liquid in the other portions.

The diameter is 2½ inches by 6¼, containing 5 fluid ounces of liquid. The bottle shape can be of any form imaginable.

As shown in FIG. 9 there is a seal plastic shrink wrap packaging. The outside of the bottle is sealed by a plastic shrink wrap (420. The plastic packaging wrap secures the inside content of the bottle to be sure that it has not been tampered with. This also prevents or hinders parts 400 and 402 from being opened by anyone in an authorized manner. It also provide space for brand identification, promotion, nutritional information, bar code. On one side of the plastic packaging wrap, there is a perforated strip 422 that goes from top to bottom of the packaging. On top and bottom of the strip there is a small groove 424 to grab the packaging with fingernails in order to tear the entire strip easily with the fingers, and removing the packaging from the bottle.

While the above description contains many particulars, these should not be consider limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather a demonstration of embodiments thereof. For instance instead of the portions being halves of more or less equal size they can be different relative sizes. The snack item can be differen things including liquids and partial liquids and fresh produce.

The composition, method for making and uses disclosed herein include any combination of the different species or embodiments disclosed. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the invention in any way be limited by the above description. The various elements of the claims and claims themselves may be combined any combination, in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, which includes the claims.

Claims

1. A container for a combination of a novelty item and snack item comprising:

a non-edible first portion with an open end;

a non-edible second portion with an open end;

an inter-engaging formation at the open end of the first portion and an inter-engaging formation at the open end of the second portion to connect the first portion to the second portion; and

a divider separating the first and second portions.

2. The container in claim 1 wherein the divider is a lid sealing the open end of the first portion.

3. The lid in claim 2 further comprising a lid handle to remove the lid from the first portion.

4. The container in claim 1 further comprising a snack item enclosed in the first portion.

5. The container in claim 1 further comprising a novelty item enclosed in the second portion.

6. The container in claim 1 wherein the container is in the shape of a sphere.

7. The container in claim 1 wherein the inter-engaging formations are screw threads.

8. The container in claim 1 wherein the formation connector comprises an internal thread of a screw thread on the one portion and an external thread or screw thread on the second portion, the internal thread and the external thread being for mating engagement.

9. The container in claim 1 wherein the lid comprises aluminum.

10. The container in claim 1 wherein the lid comprises flexible plastic.

11. The container in claim 1 further comprising a plastic wrap to seal the container.

12. The container in claim 11 wherein the plastic wrap comprises a perforated opening strip.

13. The container in claim 11 wherein the plastic wrap comprises a small groove to remove the plastic wrap.

14. The container in claim 1 further wherein the divider is a separator cup.

15. The container in claim 1 further wherein the one portion is a bottle for liquid.

16. A container for a combination of a novelty item and snack item comprising:

a first portion with an open end;

a second portion with an open end;

a screw thread at the open end of the first portion and a screw thread at the open end of the second portion to connect the first portion to the second portion; and

a divider separating the first and second portion.

17. A container for a combination of a novelty item and snack item comprising:

a partially non-edible first portion with an open end;

a partially non-edible second portion with an open end;

a screw thread at the open end of the first portion and a screw thread at the open end of the second portion to connect the first portion to the second portion; and

a divider separating the first and second portion.