Parfait Cup

Abstract

A parfait cup including a cup, an insert, a catch panel lid and a dome lid such that the parfait cup incorporates at least three individual containers within a single, compact package. The parfait cup maintains each of the contents separately from one another until a consumer desires to combine them. The cup is designed so as to hold a yogurt or other similar contents. The insert is designed to separately hold granola, nuts, cereal or other similar contents. The catch panel lid and dome lid are designed in such a way as to, together, hold fruit or similar contents while simultaneously allowing any juices or excess water exuded from the fruit to be retained in one or more reservoirs in the top of the catch panel lid.

Description

BACKGROUND

The field of the present invention is disposable storage containers and more specifically disposable, combination fruit and yogurt containers.

The public has become increasingly health-conscious. Yet, individuals are on-the-go more than ever and have fewer healthy dining options. As a result, many restaurants and convenience stores have begun providing healthy eating alternatives in their retail establishments.

A fruit parfait is one example of a healthy food for the person on-the-go. Parfaits typically consist of fresh fruit and yogurt. They may be accompanied by granola, nuts, cereal or other similar food. A parfait may also include dried fruits, berries or other sweetener. Consumers typically prefer that these ingredients remain separate from one another until such time as they are to be consumed, and for good reason. If granola or nuts are combined with yogurt in the package, the granola or nuts become soft and mushy. Likewise, the premature combination of fruit and yogurt causes the yogurt to react to and separate from the fruit's juices, and the fruit becomes soft and mushy or otherwise undesirable. Further, the shelf life of the parfait is reduced because the undesirable effects of mixing worsen over time.

In order to address these and other issues with parfait packaging, many prior art parfait cups separate the granola, cereal or nuts from the yogurt and fruit. In some cases, the fruit is put into a cup and then yogurt is added on top, though this method creates an undesirable result at the point of contact. Further, the prior art more often than not mixes the yogurt and fruit in the package. In these cases, the fruit and yogurt interact to an even greater extent drastically reducing product (fruit) sensory, quality and shelf life.

Other solutions separate the fruit from the yogurt using an insert. In these insert solutions, the fruit is placed in a separate container above the yogurt cup. Typically, the granola or nuts are then placed in a small bag removably affixed to the side of the yogurt cup. Of necessity, the side bags are made from a different material. Thus, the prior solutions require separate machines to manufacture a container, and separate processes to fill and recycle the container.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in prior art parfait cups, the Applicants disclose an improved and integrated parfait cup that provides a separate container for each of the yogurt, fruit and granola, cereal or nuts.

In a first aspect, the parfait cup is designed in such a way as to allow the consumer easy access to the granola, cereal or nuts and the fruit without any of the individual components being combined with the yogurt. This allows each of the individual components to maintain its freshness and character until the consumer wishes to combine the elements for consumption.

In a second aspect, all parts of the parfait cup are made from the same material, thereby simplifying manufacturing, filling and recycling the parfait cup.

In a third aspect, Applicants' parfait cup incorporates a catch-panel lid under the dome lid in order to maintain the fruit in a separate container, above the granola, cereal or nuts and the yogurt. This maintains the desirable characteristics of the fruit and yogurt and provides extended shelf life to both.

This catch panel lid may incorporate several other useful characteristics to keep the various components separate from one another. In particular, the catch panel lid may incorporate a series of reservoirs suitable for supporting the fruit while simultaneously allowing excess water (from cleaning) and juices from the fruit to separate from the fruit itself. Thus, when the fruit is subsequently combined with the yogurt, less water and juices are introduced into the combination.

In a fourth aspect, the catch panel lid operates as a removable lid for the insert which contains granola, cereal or nuts. When the catch panel lid is removed, it separates along with the dome lid through the use of reciprocating lips that are designed to be substantially water-tight. As a result, the catch panel lid and dome lid separate as an individual unit providing easy access to the yogurt and granola while maintaining the fruit in an easy-to-use, separate container.

The foregoing description, objects, and advantages of the present invention are not meant to be an exhaustive summary, inasmuch as additional pertinent aspects of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken independently or in conjunction with the annexed sheets of drawings, in which one or more embodiments of the invention are described and shown. Further, each aspect may be used in permutation and combination with one another. The following detailed description and annexed drawings are provided only for purposes of illustration of certain specific embodiments of the present invention, and not for purposes of limitation of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of the invention can be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front, exploded view of the parfait cup in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a top view of the cup portion of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the cup portion of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2C is a side, cross-sectional view of the cup portion of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a top view of the insert of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the insert of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a side, cross-sectional view of the insert of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a top view of the catch panel lid of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the catch panel lid of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4C is a side, cross-sectional view of the catch panel lid of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a top view of the dome lid of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a side view of the dome lid of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5C is a side, cross-sectional view of the dome lid of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side, cross-sectional view of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a detail view of a portion of the side, cross-sectional view of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a detail view of a portion of the side, cross-sectional view of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a side view of two dome lid and catch-panel portion combinations sitting atop one another in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a side, cross-sectional view of two dome lid and catch-panel portion combinations sitting atop one another in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a side view of two inserts sitting atop one another in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a side, cross-sectional view of two inserts sitting atop one another in accordance with the present invention.

In the drawings, similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, as well as within the detailed description below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As noted above, the following detailed description is not meant to limit the present claimed invention, inasmuch as alternate embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exploded view of the parfait cup in accordance with the present invention, comprising a dome lid 100, catch panel lid 106, insert 114 and cup 122. The dome lid 100 includes a dome portion 102 and a lip 104, suitable for removably affixing the dome lid to the cup 122. The catch panel lid 106 includes a series of circular reservoirs 108, 110 and a raised center portion 112. The insert 114 includes a lip 114, a line 118 and a number of denesting lugs 120. Finally, the cup 122 includes a lip 124 and a base 126. Each of these elements and additional elements for each of the dome lid 100, catch panel lid 106, insert 114 and cup 122 will be described in greater detail below with reference to the remaining figures.

In the preferred embodiment, each of the cup 122, insert 114, catch panel lid 106 and dome lid 100 are made of the same clear, plastic material. In the preferred embodiment, the individual components are injection molded. As a result, the entire parfait cup may be disposed of in a recycling receptacle once the contents of the parfait cup are consumed. In addition, the clear material allows for easy viewing of the contents of the parfait cup by a consumer or a retailer inspecting the contents for freshness and desirability. The use of a single material for all components makes the parfait cup easier and less-costly to manufacture and assemble. It should be noted that alternative materials may be used dependant upon the desired characteristics of the parfait cup.

Turning now to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the top, side and side, cross-section views of cup 122 in accordance with the present invention are shown. As seen in previous figures, the cup 122 includes a lip 124 and a base 126. The cup 122 also incorporates a side 128. In the preferred embodiment, the side is angled such that the cup 122 is larger at the top than the bottom. This aids in filling the cup 122 and allows a user to more easily grasp and hold the cup 122.

The base 126 of the cup 122 also includes an indentation 130. In the preferred embodiment, the cup 122 is circular in top, cross section. As a result, the indentation 130 is also circular. In alternative embodiments, the cross section may be square, rectangular or any other shape. As a result, the corresponding indentation 130 in these alternative embodiments may take on different or corresponding shapes as well. This indentation is useful in stacking one or more parfait cups one upon another. In particular, the dome lid 100 incorporates a corresponding outward indentation such that the base 126 of the cup 122 and the top of the dome lid 100 may stack one upon another.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the top, side and side, cross-section views of insert 114 in accordance with the present invention are shown. The insert 114 includes a lip 116, a line 118 and denesting lugs 120. The insert 114 also includes a sealing spacer 134, a side 136, a sloping side 138 and a base 140. The line 118 denotes the beginning of the sloping side 138. Because of the sloping side 138, the base 140 is of a smaller diameter than the insert 114 at the lip 116. In alternative embodiments in which the top, cross section is not circular, the base may also take on different shapes.

The lip 116 and sealing spacer 134 are of particular relevance to the present design. The lip 116 serves to allow the insert 114 to sit atop and within the cup 122. The sealing spacer 134 provides means by which the insert substantially seals the cup 122 when the catch panel lid 106 is removably affixed to the cup 122. When the catch panel lid 106 is removably affixed to the cup 122, the sealing spacer 134 creates a seal that is substantially water-tight around the circumference of interior of the lip 124 of the cup 122. In this way, the contents of the insert 114 (in the preferred embodiment, granola, nuts or cereal) are maintained separate and substantially sealed from the contents of the cup 122 (in the preferred embodiment, yogurt). The seal is primarily created by the downward pressure of the catch panel lid 106 when removably affixed to the cup 122.

The denesting lugs 120 of the insert 114 also serve a useful function. However, this function will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.

Turning now to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the top, side and side, cross-section views of catch panel lid 106 in accordance with the present invention are shown. The catch panel lid 106 includes a lip 142 that is used to removably affix the catch panel lid 106 to the lip 124 of the cup 122. The lip 124 of the cup 122 incorporates a rounded top edge and the lip 142 of the catch panel lid 106 incorporates an indentation designed in such a way so as to accept the rounded top edge of the lip 124 of the cup 122. The lip 142 also incorporates a series of ridges 148 and 150 (See FIG. 4B) that serve to make the circumference of the lip 142 narrower immediately below the indentation designed to incorporate the lip 124 of the cup 122. As a result, when downward pressure is applied to the catch panel lid 106 and countervailing upward pressure is applied to the cup 122, the two will become removably affixed one to another. The insert 114 may be placed between them without substantially impeding the removable affixation.

The catch panel lid 106 also incorporates a series of reservoirs 108 and 144 (See FIGS. 4A and 4C). These reservoirs 108, 144 serve to allow the juices of the fruit that is stored in the dome lid 100 and catch panel lid 106 combination to separate themselves from the fruit during upright storage. As described above, the catch panel lid 106 of the preferred embodiment is circular in top, cross section. However, the catch panel lid 106 and indeed the entire parfait cup may take an alternative top, cross section. If so, the catch panel lid 106 and the reservoirs 108, 144 will take on similar top, cross sections.

The reservoirs 108, 144 are designed in such a way that they are narrow enough that substantial portions of fruit placed above them will not slip into them. They are, however, deep and wide enough to accept a reasonable amount of water (from cleaning of the fruit) and excess juice from the fruit stored in the catch panel lid 106 and dome lid 100 combination. During storage, the catch panel lid 106 acts, using gravity, to separate those juices from the stored fruit. As a result, when a consumer purchases the product and subsequently combines the fruit with the yogurt, less excess water or juice is introduced to the yogurt.

The preferred embodiment utilizes two reservoirs 108, 144. However, it should be noted that fewer or more reservoirs may be used while still conforming to the overall scope and spirit of the present invention. Particularly in instances in which a larger dome lid 100 and catch panel lid 106 are used, a larger number of reservoirs 108, 144 may be used in order to accept the amount of water and excess juice from the fruit stored in the dome lid 100 and catch panel lid 106 combination.

The catch panel lid 106 also incorporates a separating member 146. The operation of the separating member 146 will be discussed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C in conjunction with FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C. In addition, the catch panel lid 106 also incorporates an upward indentation 112 (See FIGS. 4A and 4C). This indentation 112 will be discussed in additional detail below with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

Turning now to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, the top, side and side, cross-section views of dome lid 100 in accordance with the present invention are shown. The dome lid 100 includes a dome portion 102, a lip 104, a ridge 152 and an outward indentation 154. The outward indentation 154 of the dome lid 100 is designed in such a way as to fit inside the indentation 130 of the cup 122. In this way, the dome lid 100 and cup 122 may be stacked, when combined as a unit.

The lip 104 includes ridges 156, 158 that operate to create a seal with the lip 124 of the cup 122 and that fit into the lip 142 if the catch panel lid 106. As a result, the lip 104 may form a similar connection to the lip 124 of the cup 122 with the catch panel lid 106 and its lip 142 in-between the two.

The separating member 146, a part of the catch panel lid 106 (See FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C), may be operated by a user to separate the combination of the catch panel lid 106 and the dome lid 100 from the insert 114 and cup 122 without disturbing the contents of the cup 122, the insert 114 or the catch panel lid 106 and dome lid 100 combination. The application of upward pressure, relative to the cup 122, on the separating member 146 allows the catch panel lid 106 and dome lid 100 combination to be separated from the cup 122 and insert 114. The lip 104 of the dome lid 100 and the lip 142 of the catch panel lid 106 join in such a way as to maintain the contents of the combination thereof in a substantially water-tight compartment before and after separation from the cup 122.

In particular, the lip 104 of the dome lid 100 and the lip 142 of the catch panel lid 106 incorporate corresponding ridges along their outer edges that, when joined, create a substantially water-tight seal. As a result, the contents of the dome lid 100 and catch panel lid 106 are maintained in a substantially water-tight state until opened by the consumer for consumption.

In the preferred embodiment, the use of the separating member 146 to separate the dome lid 100 and catch panel lid 106 from the cup 122 and insert 114 enables a user to separate the fruit-containing compartment from the remainder of the parfait cup. The user may then take out the contents of the insert 114 (granola, nuts or cereal in the preferred embodiment) and introduce them into the contents of the cup 122 (yogurt in the preferred embodiment). The user may then separate the dome lid 100 and the catch panel lid 106 to thereby gain access to the contents of that compartment and to introduce those contents to the cup 122 along with the previous contents of the insert 114. The catch panel lid 106 will retain the excess water and juice described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, side, cross-sectional view of a parfait cup in accordance with the present invention are shown. The parfait cup includes the cup 122, the insert 114, the catch panel lid 106 and the dome lid 100. FIG. 6A also depicts a second cup 160 sitting atop the dome lid 100 of the first parfait cup. As described above with respect to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, the dome lid 100 and second cup 160 are designed in such a way as to be stackable, one upon another.

FIG. 6B is a close-up, side, cross-sectional view of the interface between the cup 122, the insert 114, the catch panel lid 106 and the dome lid 100. As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 6B, the lip 116 of the insert 114 sits atop the lip 124 of the cup 122. The insert 114 is held in place by the lip 142 of the catch panel lid 106. The lip 142 of the catch panel lid 106 is substantially coincident with the lip 104 of the dome lid 100. As a result, the meeting of the insert 114 with the cup 122 is substantially water-tight. Similarly, both the meeting of the catch panel lid 106 with the dome lid 100 and the meeting of the catch panel lid 106 with the cup 122 are substantially water-tight. In all cases, this serves to maintain the various contents stored in each of the compartments made by these meetings in fresh and self-contained states until the consumer is ready to combine the contents for consumption.

FIG. 6C is a close-up, side, cross-sectional view of the interface between the dome lid 106 and the second cup 160. As can be seen the outward indentation 154 of the dome lid 100 fits neatly into the indentation 130 in the cup 122. As a result, a number of parfait cups may be stacked one upon another when in transit or when displayed for sale.

Turning now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a side view and a side, cross-sectional view of the dome lid 100 and catch panel lid 106 combination in accordance with the present invention are shown. As can be seen in these figures, the dome lid 100 and catch panel lid 106 are designed in such a way that, together, they may be stacked one upon another. In particular, the outward indentation 154 of the dome lid 162 and catch panel lid 164 combination is designed in such a way as to fit inside the indentation 112 of the catch panel lid 106 and dome lid 100 combination.

In this way, a group of the catch panel lid 106 and dome lid 100 combinations may be stacked, one upon another, for storage in transit or prior to being removably affixed to a parfait cup. This design allows for easy storage of a group of these combinations, preferably in a refrigerated container. As a result, the filling process may be done in steps such that a large number of these containers may be filled (typically with fruit) before a group of cups 122 are filed (typically with yogurt) and before the two filled containers are combined to create an entire parfait cup. This allows for ease in the creation of the parfaits and streamlines the process by which they are created. The uniform stacking of these combinations also allows for machines to combine them with a group of cups 122 by automated means to thereby create a group of parfait cups.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a side view and a side, cross-sectional view of two inserts 114, 166 are shown. The insert 114 and insert 166 are designed in such a way as to incorporate a series of denesting lugs 120. These denesting lugs 120, 170 are intentionally spaced at uneven intervals around the circumference of the internal base of the inserts 114, 166. The denesting lugs 120, 170 are designed to ease in separation of the inserts 114, 166 from one another when stacked. This enables a manufacturer to create a number of these inserts, to stack them one upon another for storage and then allows the inserts 114, 166 to be separated either by a worker or by a machine as a part of an automated process.

In particular, the denesting lugs 120, 170 provide spacing 168 between the two inserts 114, 166. This spacing 168 allows for ease in grasping only the top insert 166, either by an individual or by a machine. The uneven spacing of these lugs 120, 170 lessen the likelihood that the lugs will fit one within another, thereby failing to provide spacing 168 and eliminating their usefulness in providing the spacing 168.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein in detail, it is recognized that modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Consequently, it is intended that the claims herein be interpreted to cover any such modifications. It is further intended that the present invention be not limited according to any particular disclosed embodiment, but rather only according to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A parfait cup, comprising:

a cup;

an insert, removably placed atop and within said cup;

a catch panel lid, removably affixed over said insert and to said cup; and

a dome lid, removably affixed over said insert and to said catch panel lid.

2. The parfait cup of claim 1 wherein said dome lid and said catch panel lid together form a removable unit.

3. The parfait cup of claim 1 wherein said catch panel lid provides a lid over said cup and said insert, when removably affixed to said cup, and to retain the contents of said dome lid when removably affixed to said dome lid.

4. The parfait cup of claim 1 wherein said catch panel lid is designed in such a way that juices that exude from the contents of said removable unit are separated from said contents.

5. The parfait cup of claim 4 wherein said catch panel lid uses at least one concentric reservoir suitable to support said contents of said catch panel lid while simultaneously providing space for said juices to separate from said contents.

6. The parfait cup of claim 2 wherein said catch panel lid includes an indentation such that it fits within a counterpart indentation in the top of said dome lid so that a plurality of said removable units, each made up of one catch panel lid and one dome lid removably affixed to one another, are stackable one upon another.

7. The parfait cup of claim 1 wherein said insert includes a lip around the circumference of the top of said insert that allows said insert to be placed atop and within said cup.

8. The parfait cup of claim 7 wherein said catch panel lid holds said insert in place atop and within said cup by applying pressure to the lip when catch panel lid is removably affixed to said cup.

9. The parfait cup of claim 1 wherein the outer circumference of said dome lid applies pressure to the outer circumference of said catch panel lid such that the two form a removeable unit.

10. The parfait cup of claim 9 wherein a circumferential junction between said dome lid and said catch panel lid is substantially water-tight.

11. The parfait cup of claim 10 wherein said circumferential junction is comprises corresponding ridges in the lips of said dome lid and said catch panel lid such that a seal is created when said dome lid and said catch panel lid are removably affixed to one another.

12. The parfait cup of claim 1 wherein said insert includes at least one denesting lug around its interior base so as to provide space between a plurality of said inserts when stacked.

13. The parfait cup of claim 4 wherein said at least one concentric, circular reservoir in said catch panel lid includes at least one denesting lug so as to provide space between a plurality of said catch panel lids when stacked.

14. A parfait cup comprising:

a cup;

an insert, said insert including a lip around the outer, upper circumference of said insert suitable for holding the said insert in a position such that the interior of said insert is maintained within the upper portion of said cup;

a catch panel lid removably affixed to said cup and suitable for substantially sealing said cup with said insert in a position such that the interior of said insert is maintained within the upper portion of said cup when said catch panel lid is removably affixed to said cup and further including at least one reservoir suitable for receiving the juices exuded by the solid contents supported by said catch panel lid; and

a dome lid, removably affixed to said catch panel lid such that said dome lid and said catch panel lid form a substantially water-tight, removable unit.

15. The parfait cup of claim 14 wherein the reservoir is a channel.

16. The parfait cup of claim 14 wherein said catch panel lid includes a series or reservoirs made up of a series of channels.

17. The parfait cup of claim 16 wherein said catch panel lid includes a platform, separated from said reservoirs, such that said solid panel contents are separated from said juices.

18. The parfait cup of claim 14 wherein said reservoir is a series of concentric channels.

19. The parfait cup of claim 18 wherein said series of concentric channels have a width between 1/9 millimeter and ⅓ millimeter per millimeter of radius of said catch panel lid.

20. The parfait cup of claim 19 wherein said series of concentric channels have a volume, relative to the surface area of said catch panel lid, of between 0.26 and 0.88 ml/cm2.

21. The parfait cup of claim 14 wherein said catch panel lid includes an indentation such that said indentation fits within a counterpart indentation in the top of said dome lid.

22. The parfait cup of claim 14 wherein said catch panel lid includes a separating member suitable for removing said substantially water-tight removable unit from said cup and said insert while said substantially water-tight removable unit remains substantially water-tight.

23. The parfait cup of claim 22 wherein said dome lid incorporates an outward indentation such that it fits within a counter part indentation in the bottom of said cup in such a way that a plurality of such parfait cups, each made up of at least one said dome lid and at least one cup removably affixed to one another, are stackable one upon another.

24. The parfait cup of claim 14 wherein the junction between said catch panel lid and said dome lid is made substantially water-tight through the use of corresponding ridges in the lips of each of said dome lid and said catch panel lid such that a seal is created when said dome lid and said catch panel lid are removably affixed to one another.

25. The parfait cup of claim 14 wherein said insert includes at least one denesting lug around its interior base so as to provide space between a plurality of said inserts when stacked.

26. The parfait cup of claim 25 wherein said at least one concentric, circular indentation in said catch panel lid includes at least one denesting lug.

27. A dome lid and catch panel assembly for a parfait cup comprising:

a catch panel lid suitable for substantially sealing a cup when said catch panel lid is removably affixed to said cup;

a dome lid, removably affixed to said catch panel lid such that said dome lid and said catch panel lid form a substantially water-tight removable unit; and

wherein said catch panel lid includes at least one reservoir suitable for supporting the contents retained within the cavity formed by said catch panel lid and said dome lid while simultaneously providing space for excess juices to separate from said contents.