Dual compartment snack container

Abstract

This invention provides a container having at least two compartments one for storing and dispensing snack foods such as sunflower seeds and the other to place the waste after eating same. Each compartment has means for easy opening and closing. Preferably the compartments of the container are in side by side position in a cylindrical shaped container formed to fit inside vehicle cup holders.

Description

RELATED CASES AND PRIORITY CLAIMS

This application is A CONTINUATION-IN-PART OF U.S. Non-Provisional Pat. No. 12/383,796, filed on Mar. 30, 2009, which claims priority to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/072,305 filed Mar. 31, 2008, each of these applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth below

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to container for both dispensing snack food and the like and disposing of the waste product after eating said snack foods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are available various types of containers having more than one compartment housing a dose of a product in one compartment and a liquid for mixing with said product in another having a breakable seal between same. Yet, the writer hereof is not aware of any prior art that provides a snack container that has dual compartments that allow the user to eat the selected snack and then dispose of the waste therefrom utilizing the same container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a dual compartment snack container for placing snack foods, i.e. sunflower seeds, peanuts and the like in one compartment and after eating placing the waste therefrom in the other compartment.

The invention further comprises dual compartments each of which has a means for easy opening and closing to facilitate the filling of one compartment with snack food for dispensing for eating and the placing of waste in the other compartment.

The invention further comprises a container with compartments that will hold at least 5 ounces of snack food and will fit conveniently in vehicle cup-holders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of snack container 10 of the present invention showing a conical cylindrical configuration with interior slot 22 for insertion of Divider 12.

FIG. 2 is a top view of lid 18 with openings 24 and 25.

FIG. 3 is a top view of slider 20 with opening 28 and raised thumb control 30.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of divider 12.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1 a preferred configuration of the present invention is shown as 10. The preferred conical cylindrical shape allows the container 10 to fit inside cup holder of vehicles. The container 10 includes two compartments 14 and 16 separated by divider 12. Divider 12 is removable for ease of washing and stacking and Divider 12 is inserted into slot 22 during assembly. Slot 22 is in the interior of container 10 and is formed to run down one side across the bottom and up the other side of the container. Divider 12 is configured to fit into slot 22 of the interior of container 10 and securely form and separate equal size compartments 14 and 16.

One is used for filling with snack foods such as sunflower seeds, peanuts and the like and the other for disposing of the waste material (shells, etc.) after eating said snack foods. Container 10 is provided with a means for easy opening and closing to facilitate the filling of one compartment with said snack food for fast and easy dispensing for eating and the fast and easy placing of waste from said eating in the other compartment.

The materials of construction may be any suitable plastic, paper or lightweight metals such as aluminum which are sufficiently strong enough to hold the snack food and waste without tearing or breaking thereby causing spills of same.

The means for opening and closing said compartments can be of many types such as valve, sliding or flip-top lids so long as the means opens wide enough to allow easy exiting and entry into and from the compartment without spillage. Preferably the opening and closing means consists of a lid 18 and slider 20 that are placed together on top of container 10. Slider 20 is attached on top of lid 18 and then placed on top of container 10 and is constructed to snap on same. Lid 18 has two openings, a small opening 24 and a large opening 26. When the lid 18 and slider 20 is placed on top of container 10 with divider 12 in place openings 24 and 26 of lid 12 will coincide with compartments 14 and 16 of container 10. In order to open and close the compartments, one simply uses the thumb control 30 of slider 20 to rotate opening 28 to a position over openings 24 or 26 of lid 12 or to a position of total closure. In practice by rotating slider 20 the user closes or opens either the snack or waste compartment.

Preferably slider 20 and lid 18 are attached together at the center of each via hole 32 in lid 18 and a nipple on the under side of slider 20 which snaps through the hole and holds the slider and lid together and allows the slider to rotate over lid to line up openings or to completely close the container.

Preferably, in order to fit in a vehicle cup holder, container 10 dimensions should be 6 and ¾ inches in height with a 4 inch diameter top and a 3 and ½ inch diameter bottom. Container 10 is open at the top to allow for insertion of divider 12 into slot 22 and attachment of slider 20 and lid 18 to the top of container 10.

The washable nature of the container allows for elimination of waste and mess of product or spills and the tidy disposal in a trash facility when the waste compartment is full.

While the present invention has been described by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is pointed out that the embodiments described are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that many variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments.

This invention is claimed in any of its forms or modifications with the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A container for dispensing a snack and retaining the waste from eating said snack comprising: at least two separate compartments and means for opening and closing said compartments,

2. The container of claim 1, wherein said compartments are separated by a removable divider,

3. The container of claim 1, wherein said compartments are side by side each other in a cylindrical configuration

4. The container of claim 1, wherein a means for opening and closing a compartment is a slide lid comprising a lid with two openings and a slider with one opening.

5. the container of claim 1, wherein it is constructed of plastic.

6. The container of claim 1 wherein it is constructed of paper.

7. The container of claim 1 wherein it is constructed of light weight metal such as aluminum.