Ez lift

Abstract

An apparatus for accessing products stored in standing containers. The apparatus comprises a container member having each of a first predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material. The container member has a slot formed into a side of such container member. A flexlift member having a second predetermined shape is engageable with the slot formed on the side of the container. A lift member is engageable with the flexlift member for raising such product disposed in the container when such flexlift member is pushed downward. A bottom cap member is engageable with a bottom portion of the container member for closing off the bottom of the container. A track cover for engagement with a portion of the flexlift member and is further engageable with the bottom cap member. A top cap member is engageable with a top portion of the container member for closing off the top of the container member thereby keeping products stored therein from falling out.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/865,919 filed Nov. 15, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to products stored in standing containers, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a means of raising the contents to the top of the container to make it easy to get at the products stored therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Standing containers are easy to handle and, in general, take up less storage space than other types of containers. However, most standing containers feature a small, narrow and/or deep opening that limits the consumer's ability to access the products that are stored inside. For this reason, containers that are designed to be easier to use can be cumbersome when attempting to access the stored product. For many standing containers the consumer has to tip over the container and let the contents fall out of the container. This is particularly true when attempting to access the product toward the bottom of the container.

Thus it would be advantageous if there were a standing container in which the consumer could reach the product stored therein without having to resort to tipping the container over and pouring the contents out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for accessing products stored in standing containers. The apparatus comprises a container member having each of a first predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material. The container member having a slot formed into a side of such container member. A flexlift member having a second predetermined shape is engageable with the slot formed on the side of the container member. A lift member is engageable with the flexlift member for raising such product disposed in the container member when such flexlift member is pushed down. A bottom cap member which has a third predetermined shape is engageable with a bottom portion of the container member for closing off the bottom of the container. There is a track cover having a groove formed on a first side therein for engagement with a portion of the flexlift member and further engageable on a second side with the bottom cap member. A top cap member is engageable with a top portion of the container member for closing off the top of the container member thereby keeping products stored therein from falling out.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for accessing products stored in standing containers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus in which the products stored in standing containers are raised up in the container to the top of the container so as to provide easy access.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is easy to use.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for accessing products in standing containers that is relatively inexpensive.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly when such description is taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus with the lid open according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a is a cut away perspective view of the inside of the apparatus shown ion FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the separate components of the apparatus shown individually.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus, generally designated 10, for accessing products stored in standing containers. The apparatus 10 comprises a container member 2 having each of a first predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material. The container member 2 has a slot 4 formed into a side of such container member 2. A flexlift member 6 having a second predetermined shape is engageable with the slot 4 formed on the side of the container member 2. A lift member 8 is engageable with the flexlift member 6 for raising such product disposed in the container member 2 when such flexlift member 6 is pushed downward. A bottom cap member 12 which has a third predetermined shape is engageable with a bottom portion of the container member 2 for closing off the bottom of the container 2. There is a track cover 16 for engagement with a portion of the flexlift member 6 and further engageable with the bottom cap member 12. A top cap member 18 is engageable with a top portion of the container member 2 for closing off the top of the container member 2 thereby keeping products stored therein from falling out.

The first predetermined shape of the container member is one of cylindrical, hexagonal, octagonal, square and rectangular. It is presently preferred that such shape of the container member 2 is cylindrical. It is also preferred that such container member have a predetermined diameter. Such predetermined diameter being sufficient to store items such as potato chips that are frequently stored in standing containers.

The apparatus 10 wherein such at least one slot 4 includes a second slot 4 formed on a radially opposed side of the container member from the first slot 4. It should be noted that by pushing down on the handle (lift lever) 22 the flexlift member 6 which is very flexible and is formed in the shape of a J moves downward and across the groove in bottom cap member 12. The track cover 16 is engageable with the flexlift member 6 and with the groove in bottom cap member 16. The flexlift member 6 goes across the groove in bottom cap member 12 and goes up the other channel 4 on the other side of the container 2. As the flexlift member 6 moves downward and the other end of the J goes upward in the other channel 4 the lift member 8 is raised and thereby such food product that is in the container is also raised to the top of the container.

It is presently preferred that such second predetermined shape of the flexlift member 6 is generally a J shape as is clearly seen in FIG. 3. Such flexlift member 6 further includes a lift lever handle portion 22 that is disposed on an upper end of the flexlift member 6 and is further disposed on an outer surface of the container member 2 for moving such flexlift member 6. The handle member is pushed down so as to raise the contents of the container member 2 thereby providing easy access to the contents.

It is presently preferred that the predetermined material used to form the container member 2 is plastic. It is also preferred that such plastic is extruded. It is also preferred that the other components of the apparatus be made of plastic.

Such bottom cap member 12 has a groove formed therein for receiving the track cover 16. The track cover 16 ensures that the flexlift member 6 does not bow when the flexlift is pushed downward but is kept in the channel as the flexlift member 6 moves up the channel 4 on the other side.

Thus, the present invention provides an apparatus for raising the contents, such as potato chips, of a standing container to the top of the container to make easy to get at the contents. Since these containers generally have a rather small diameter it is difficult for most individuals to reach into the container to get the contents. Most people have to turn the container over and let the contents fall out into a dish or some other receptacle.

Using the present invention solves the problem of not being able to reach inside the container to get the product. The invention enables the consumer to lift the contents to the top of the container without the need to tip, shake or pour out the product in order to reach it. The apparatus features a movable floor (lift member) than can be raised to raise the contents to the top of the container. Although the original concept was for use with potato chips presently sold in standing containers, it is adaptable to other containers that contain pickles, peanuts, candy and cookies to name a few.

The apparatus comprises essentially a top cap, a container member, a flexlift member with a lift lever (handle), lift member, track cover and a bottom cap. The top cap fits over the container body to keep the contents inside. The container body has a slot molded into the body on both sides that allows the flexlift component to move up and down as the consumer pushes down the attached lift lever. The flexlift is connected to the lifter so that when the flexlift moves down one channel and up the other channel the lifter is raised and with it the food products stored in the container. A track cover is put over the top of the track in the bottom cap so that the flexlift can move through the bottom cap without bowing. The apparatus has been designed to easily move the bottom floor of a standing container to the top providing easy access to the product with less hassle.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for accessing products stored in standing containers, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a container member having each of a first predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material, said container member having a slot formed into a side of said container member;

(b) a flexlift member having a second predetermined shape engageable with said slot formed on said side of said container member;

(c) a lift member engageable with said flexlift member for raising such product disposed in said container member when such flexlift member is moved downward;

(d) a bottom cap member having a third predetermined shape engageable with a bottom portion of said container member for closing off a bottom of said container;

(e) a track cover for engagement with a portion of said flexlift member and further engageable with said bottom cap member; and

(f) a top cap member engageable with a top portion of said container member for closing off a top of said container member thereby keeping products stored therein from falling out.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined shape is one of cylindrical, hexagonal, octagonal, square and rectangular.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined shape of said container member is substantially cylindrical.

4. The apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said substantially cylindrical container member has a predetermined diameter.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said at least one slot includes a second slot formed on a radially opposed side of said container member from said at least one slot.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second predetermined shape of said flexlift member is generally a J shape.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said flexlift member further includes a lifter handle portion disposed on an upper end of said flexlift member and is further disposed on outer surface of said container member for moving said flexlift member.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined material of said container member is plastic.

9. The apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said plastic is extruded.

10. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said bottom cap member has a groove formed therein for receiving said track cover and said flexlift member.

11. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said flexlift member is flexible.