Expandable Food Container

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for transporting and rehydrating a dehydrated or other hydratable food component. The food component, which may illustratively comprise a powder or gel, may be reconstituted with water or some other liquid (e.g., milk, juice) to produce tea, coffee, an energy drink, soup, or some other food. The apparatus comprises a flexible pouch that may be provided with the hydratable food already inside. The apparatus includes an aperture for receiving the liquid and extracting the reconstituted food, and expands as the liquid is introduced. The pouch is sturdy enough to allow the liquid and food component to be mixed (e.g., by shaking), but the apparatus may also include a shell into which the pouch may be placed. The optional shell lends rigidity to the apparatus. In some implementations, the pouch may be designed for a single use (and be recyclable), while the shell may be reused.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/053,325, filed May 15, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to the field of food containers.

Portability of some comestibles is limited because of their volume and/or weight. In many cases, a substantial portion of the food's volume or weight is attributable to a liquid (e.g., water, milk, juice) that is a major constituent of the food.

For example, hikers, campers, cyclers and other people (e.g., attendees of a concert, sports contest or other event) may wish to transport drinks or other liquid-based foods, but may be limited in how much weight they can carry or in the volume of a backpack or other carrying case. Depending on what else they may wish to transport, they may not be able to accommodate much of their preferred food(s).

In addition, transporting liquid-based foods to or via a location at which the liquid constituent is available is inefficient and may be exasperating, because the person transporting the food must expend energy to carry something that is readily available at his or her destination. However, existing powders, gels or other dehydrated forms of liquid-based foods do not offer satisfactory methods of transporting hydratable foods for rehydration.

For example, most such hydratable components are sold in large or bulk quantities. For example, a consumer may be able to purchase a single, large bottle, canister or other container of a particular powder or other hydratable substance. However, such containers are not configured to allow the powder and a liquid to be mixed within the container, and so the consumer is obliged to also transport one or more other containers in which to mix a liquid and a portion of the powder. Lugging the large container as well as the mixing container does little to alleviate the inefficient use of transportation space and a transporter's energy.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments of the invention, apparatuses are provided for transporting and rehydrating/reconstituting a dehydrated or other hydratable food component. The food component, which may illustratively comprise a powder or gel, may be reconstituted with water or some other liquid (e.g., milk, juice) to produce tea, coffee, an energy drink, soup, or some other food or beverage.

The apparatus comprises a flexible pouch that may be provided with the hydratable food component already stored inside. The pouch includes an aperture for receiving the liquid and extracting the reconstituted food. The apparatus expands as the liquid is introduced, and the pouch is sturdy enough to allow the liquid and food component to be mixed (e.g., by shaking).

In some embodiments, the apparatus may also include a shell into which the pouch may be placed, and which is configured to lend rigidity to the apparatus. Installation of the pouch into the shell may be permanent, or the pouch may be removable after being used within the shell. Thus, in some implementations, the pouch may be designed for a single use (and be recyclable), while the shell may be reused.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A-B illustrate a single-piece expandable container for mixing a liquid with a hydratable food component in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate a single-piece expandable container for mixing a liquid with a hydratable food component in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-B illustrate a two-piece expandable container for mixing a liquid with a hydratable food component in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an expandable container for mixing a liquid with a hydratable food component in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-B illustrate a two-piece expandable container for mixing a liquid with a hydratable food component in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

In some embodiments of the invention, apparatuses are provided for transporting a hydratable or reconstitutable food component, such as a powder, gel, concentrate or other substance, and for receiving and mixing a liquid (e.g., water, milk, juice) with the food component. Such an apparatus may have a substantially flat profile prior to addition of the liquid, thereby allowing it to occupy little space and have little weight prior to hydration (or reconstitution) of its contents.

The apparatus may comprise one or more shells, skins or layers, and an aperture through which a hydrating liquid may be introduced; the aperture may or may not be sealable. The apparatus expands as necessary to accept an appropriate amount of the liquid and to allow mixing (e.g., by shaking).

Illustrative food components with which an embodiment of the invention may be used include dehydrated tea, coffee, baby formula, soy drink, energy drink, milk, soup, breakfast drink, diet drink, etc.

However, as used herein, a hydratable, rehydratable or reconstitutable food component may encompass any type of substance that can be consumed once hydrated, rehydrated or reconstituted. Thus, embodiments of the invention may also be used with flavor packs and other substances that may be hydrated or reconstituted to produce a food, a beverage, an additive to a food or beverage, or anything else that may be ingested.

FIGS. 1A-B illustrate a one-piece apparatus for transporting and hydrating a powder, gel or other hydratable food component, according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1A depicts apparatus 100 in a closed configuration that it may maintain until used (e.g., until a liquid is introduced into the apparatus). In this configuration, it has a substantially flat rear side (not shown in FIGS. 1A-B), and a substantially flat front side 110 except for opening or aperture 140, which is coverable by removable cap 142. Apparatus 100 is substantially rectangular in its closed configuration, except for bottom 120.

In FIG. 1B, which depicts an open or operable configuration, apparatus 100 may be described as having an elliptical conical shape that diverges from top edge 130, wherein the elliptical cross-section increases in area with the distance from edge 130.

Bottom 120 is configured to open in a “clamshell” fashion. Thus, FIG. 1A depicts the bottom in a closed, folded orientation, while FIG. 1B shows bottom 120 in an open or extended position that it may assume when a liquid is introduced, or to be introduced, into the apparatus.

More specifically, bottom 120 is substantially elliptical in shape and folds in half along its longitudinal axis when in its closed orientation. The bottom may respond to a consumer's hand pressure, or the introduction of a liquid into the apparatus, by unfolding and taking on a substantially flat orientation. Apparatus 100 may therefore be capable of standing unsupported on its bottom when fully or partially filled with a liquid. In its open configuration, front and rear sides of apparatus 100 flex to assume convex elliptical surfaces.

The placement and configuration of aperture 140 and cap 142 is merely illustrative in FIGS. 1A-B. In other embodiments, the aperture and any covering may be configured to allow the apparatus to be even flatter (at least in a closed configuration), to stack relatively easy, to facilitate addition of a liquid and/or consumption of the rehydrated food, etc.

For example, in some embodiments, an aperture may be formed by tearing or cutting away a corner, an edge (or section of an edge), or some other portion of the apparatus. After adding the desired liquid, a user may then cover the aperture with one or more fingers, or squeeze the opening closed, to allow the liquid and food component to be mixed (e.g., shaken) without spilling. A seal (e.g., piece of tape or other removable adhesive covering) may be provided with the apparatus and used to cover an aperture formed by tearing or cutting the apparatus.

The entirety of apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1A-1B may be composed of food-grade materials, or at least the portions of the apparatus that will contact the food (e.g., interior, aperture, cap) are composed of or coated with a food-grade material.

In different embodiments of the invention, an apparatus for transporting and rehydrating a food may be constructed from plastic, vinyl, strengthened paperboard or cardboard, or any other type of polymer or flexible material that is safe for use with food products and that is strong enough to transport a hydratable food component, receive a liquid and mix the liquid and the food component.

In some uses of apparatus 100, and other apparatuses described herein, the apparatus may be distributed already containing a hydratable food or beverage component. Water or some other liquid is then added when desired to reconstitute the food. In other uses, the apparatus may be distributed empty, and may be configured to receive both a hydratable food component and a hydrating liquid.

An expandable apparatus for reconstituting a food component described herein may be designed for a single use (e.g., disposable, recyclable), may be designed for reuse, or some portion of the apparatus may be reusable while another portion is single-use.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate a one-piece apparatus for transporting and hydrating a powder, gel or other hydratable food component, according to some embodiments of the invention.

In these embodiments of the invention, apparatus 200 is similar in size and shape to apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1A-B, except that bottom 220 of apparatus 200 is configured as a single flat piece. As shown in FIG. 2A, in the closed orientation (prior to introduction of a liquid), bottom 220 is folded over front side 210. It may be folded under the rear side in other embodiments.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the thickness of apparatus 200 in the region of folded bottom 220 may approximate the thickness of the apparatus at aperture 240. This may enhance the “stackability” of the apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 2B, in an operable configuration, bottom 220 is unfolded and apparatus 200 takes on a substantially triangular cross-section when viewed from a side. When bottom 220 is unfolded, apparatus 200 may be able to stand freely.

Front and rear sides of apparatus 200 may be of the same length, as with apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1A-B, or may be of slightly different lengths to accommodate folding bottom 220.

Embodiments of the invention described herein may include means for locking or maintaining them in an upright orientation. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1A-B, a foldable bottom may be designed to be locked into an unfolded position.

As another example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-B, when the bottom is unfolded, either the bottom or a side panel may transition (e.g., by being hyper-extended) such that a fold in the apparatus engages in a position that resists re-folding. In particular, a side fold or the bottom fold may be transitionable from an “interior” fold or angle into an “exterior” fold or angle.

In other embodiments, other means may be employed to “lock” an apparatus into an open or operable configuration. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-B, interiors of the front and rear sides may serve as bases for connected ribs or other strut-like members that loosely interconnect when the apparatus is in its closed or folded orientation, but which engage and resist disengagement when the apparatus is adjusted to its open or unfolded orientation (e.g., when a liquid is added to the apparatus).

FIGS. 3A-B illustrate a two-piece apparatus for transporting and hydrating a powder, gel or other hydratable food component, according to some embodiments of the invention.

In these embodiments, apparatus 300 comprises inner pouch or liner 302 configured for insertion within outer shell 304. In some implementations, pouch 302 may be substantially similar in configuration to apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1A-B. In these implementations, however, the inner pouch may be thinner or less rigid, because shell 304 will add rigidity and strength to the apparatus. In particular, the shell may be constructed of a thicker or more rigid polymer, cardboard, paperboard or other material than the pouch. The shell may also serve to insulate the contents of an inserted pouch to some degree.

As seen in FIG. 3A, in a pre-use configuration, pouch 302 and shell 304 may be separate or may be joined by inserting the pouch into the shell. In an operative configuration in FIG. 3B, pouch 302 is situated within shell 304, and can expand as liquid is introduced via aperture 340.

Shell 304 comprises slot 344 for receiving aperture 340 (and cap 342) of liner 302. Illustratively, the width of slot 344 may be slightly less than the outer diameter of aperture 340, so that when the liner is inserted into the shell, a snug fit between the slot and aperture 340 and cap 342 helps prevent the liner from easily slipping out of the shell.

Shell 304 presents an elliptical cross-section when viewed from a top or bottom edge, but may be compressed to a substantially flat configuration when empty (i.e., before hydration). Even when a pouch 302 is inserted into the shell, until liquid is added to the pouch the shell can still be compressed to be only slightly thicker than the pouch.

In FIGS. 3A-B, pouch 302 is inserted into shell 304 via a top end of the shell. A bottom of the shell may be open, closed or partially closed without affecting operation of the invention. Illustratively, however, a length of the shell is such that an installed pouch does not extend beyond the bottom end of the shell when in use, and the apparatus may be free-standing.

Shell 304 may be reusable. In particular, each time a food is to be consumed, a new pouch is placed into the shell, liquid is added and the food is reconstituted. After consumption of the food, the liner may be removed and discarded (or recycled) and the shell reused.

The shell may be printed with one or more logos, advertisements, brand names or other messages. Further, in other embodiments of the invention a shell may be perforated, sculpted or otherwise designed to yield different appearances without exceeding the scope of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an apparatus for transporting and hydrating a powder, gel or other hydratable food component, according to some embodiments of the invention.

Apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 may be implemented as a single-piece stand-alone apparatus, or may be used with (i.e., placed within) a shell such as shell 304 of FIGS. 3A-B. Apparatus 400 features a flexible or semi-rigid bottom 420 that may differ from the folding bottoms of apparatuses 100, 200 described above.

For example, bottom 420 may constructed from a flexible film or material that allows the bottom to be compressed flat, but yet allow the bottom to expand when a liquid is added to the apparatus. Or, bottom 420 may be of a rigid material, in which case the bottom does not fold in a pre-use configuration.

FIGS. 5A-B illustrate a two-piece apparatus for transporting and hydrating a powder, gel or other hydratable food component, according to some embodiments of the invention.

In these embodiments, pouch or liner 502 slides into shell 504 via a top end of the shell, and both pouch 502 and shell 504 expand when water or other liquid is added to the contents of the pouch. Shell 504 may be closed or semi-closed (e.g., perforated) on all edges other than the top edge.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 5A-B, side edges of the pouch and the shell are pleated to make the apparatus expandable as a food component within the pouch is rehydrated. Alternatively, shell 504 may be constructed in a manner (e.g., with sufficient interior volume) that it is capable of containing an expanding pouch without using pleats.

Although cap 542 is relatively rigid in FIGS. 5A-B, in other embodiments the cap and the aperture it covers may be more flexible, or a cap may even be omitted. For example, aperture 540 may alternatively be of elliptical or other non-circular shape, and may be collapsible in a non-operative configuration (i.e., before a liquid is added).

An aperture for an expandable container for transporting and rehydrating a food may feature a membrane having one or more perforations or slits through which water can pass into the pouch, and a reconstituted food can be extracted. Or, the membrane may be solid prior to use of the pouch, at which time the consumer perforates it.

In some embodiments of the invention, an apparatus for rehydrating or reconstituting a food, a beverage or other edible substance may be easily stacked for transport and/or sale. Illustratively, the apparatus, or at least the inner pouch of a two-piece apparatus, may be sold in a folded-up, rolled-up or flat orientation, after which it can be opened (and placed in outer shell if desired) for reconstitution with water or other liquid.

The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description only. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, not the preceding disclosure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mixing a hydratable food component with a hydrating liquid, the apparatus comprising:

two panels constructed of a flexible material, wherein said two panels are joined at three of four edges of the two panels;

a bottom joined to the fourth edges of the two panels to define, with said two panels, an inner cavity of the apparatus, wherein: said bottom is flexibly adjustable from a closed configuration to an open configuration; and said inner cavity increases in volume when said bottom is adjusted from said closed configuration to said open configuration; and

an aperture for receiving the hydrating liquid into the cavity.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cap configured to cover said aperture.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for maintaining said bottom in the open configuration.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is substantially flat when said bottom is in said closed configuration.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the hydratable food component.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the hydratable food component comprises a powder.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the hydratable food component comprises a gel.

8. An apparatus configured to transport a hydratable food and receive a liquid for mixing with the hydratable food, the apparatus comprising:

a pouch comprising an interior cavity;

an aperture through the pouch for accessing the interior cavity, wherein the pouch is closed except for the aperture; and

a shell configurable to removably receive the pouch;

wherein the pouch is substantially flexible; and

wherein the shell provides rigidity to the apparatus when the pouch is placed within the shell.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the shell has an elliptically cylindrical form with at least one open end when configured to receive the pouch.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the shell is compressible to a substantially flat form when not configured to receive the pouch.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the pouch comprises:

two panels constructed of a flexible material, wherein said two panels are joined at three of four edges of the two panels; and

a bottom joined to the fourth edges of the two panels;

wherein the joining of the two panels and the bottom define the interior cavity.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the aperture comprises a bore through a side of the pouch;

the aperture is defined by a lip rising from the side of the pouch; and

the shell comprises a slot configured to snugly receive said lip.

13. An apparatus for transporting and reconstituting a hydratable food, the apparatus comprising:

an expandable closed pouch containing the hydratable food and having a substantially rectangular form when not expanded;

an aperture defining a bore through the pouch for accessing an interior of the pouch; and

an expandable shell configured to receive the expandable pouch;

wherein after the expandable pouch is installed within the shell, the aperture is configured to permit a liquid to be introduced to the interior to reconstitute the hydratable food; and

wherein the expandable pouch and the expandable shell automatically expand as the liquid is introduced.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein both the expandable pouch and the expandable shell are substantially flat when not expanded.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the aperture is located on a first edge of the expandable pouch.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the shell is configured to cover substantially all other edges of the pouch other than the first edge.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the aperture is located on a side of the expandable pouch.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the shell comprises a slot configured to accommodate the aperture.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is self-supporting in an upright orientation after said automatic expanding.