Foodstuff Condimenting and Serving Container & Related Methods of Use
Disclosed are apparatus and related methods for condimenting and serving popped popcorn kernels and other finger foods (collectively finger foods). In one non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus is a tubiform bag with first and second closable openings respectively located at the ends of the bags tubiform. A related method may comprise the steps of: obtaining an open ended tubiform body with a first end and a second end; closing the second end; orienting the tubiform body so that the first end is above the second end; placing finger food into the tubiform through the first end; condimenting the finger food through the first end; closing the first open end; orienting the tubiform body so that the second end is above the first end; opening the second end; and, condimenting the finger food through the second end.
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of Invention
This application is in the field of combined condimenting and serving containers for finger foods.
2. Background
Popped popcorn kernels (“popcorn”) are a foodstuff which persons, particularly spectators of an event (e.g., a sporting event or a movie exhibition), are frequently desirous of eating. Sometimes people like to flavor their popcorn with a condiment (e.g., seasoning or butter). Accordingly, there is a need for apparatus and related methods of applying condiments to popcorn.
Typically, popcorn kernels are separated from their cobs and popped in batches. One known way of applying condiments (e.g., butter, salt) to popcorn that has been so popped involves placing the batch of popped kernels into a container with a condiment and mixing the kernels within the container until the condiment is evenly dispersed throughout the batch. Although useful for applying a condiment to popcorn in many instances, batch-wide mixing of popcorn with a condiment is not entirely satisfactory for batches that represent more than one serving of popcorn kernels since the servings may be eaten by persons of different tastes or nutritional preferences. As a result, there is a need for apparatus and related methods of uniformly applying condiments to individual servings of popped popcorn kernels.
To meet the above identified need, some have applied batch-wide mixing of popcorn with a condiment to individual servings, wherein the serving is placed in a container with a condiment and mixed until the condiment is evenly dispersed among the kernels. While generally a useful technique for applying condiments to popcorn servings, such a technique is unsatisfactory in many circumstances. For instance, popcorn serving containers (e.g., movie theater or sporting event popcorn bags or tubs) are frequently filled to their brim with popped kernels so that the resultant serving cannot easily be mixed with a condiment without spilling kernels from the container. In such instances the condiment is usually unsatisfactorily provided to a portion of the popcorn either: (A) without mixing (e.g., on top) wherein (1) the condiment trickles through some of the popcorn kernels (usually about half way through) and (2) the condiment must be reapplied after a substantial portion of the condimented kernels are eaten (we note that reapplication is particularly bothersome during a movie or sporting event since focus must be shifted away from the movie or sport); or (B) with mixing after a layer of popcorn has been eaten, wherein a portion of the serving is less enjoyable. Thus, the need for apparatus and related methods of applying condiments to individual servings of popped popcorn kernels remains in circumstances wherein popcorn is served in containers that are substantially full.
One specific attempt to meet said remaining need is described in U.S. Pub. Pat. App. 2007/0269573 (published Nov. 22, 2007). The cited patent application discloses an attachment for a popcorn serving container which increases the volume of the serving container to facilitate trickling of a condiment through popcorn kernels via agitation of the kernels without spilling. While an improvement, the serving container attachment does not entirely meet the identified need because the mixing mechanism still relies on trickling of the condiment so that some kernels (particularly those at the bottom of the container) may not be appropriately condimented. Thus, a need for improved apparatus and related methods of applying condiments to individual servings of popped popcorn kernels exists in circumstances wherein popcorn is served in containers that are substantially full.
Please note that the above described needs are set forth in connection with applying condiments to popcorn. However, the same needs are applicable to a variety of finger foods such as chicken fingers, french-fries, salads, doughnut holes, candies, and the like. Accordingly, there is a related need for improved apparatus and methods for applying condiments to individual servings of finger foods generally.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn view of the foregoing, it is an object of this application to disclose apparatus and related methods for condimenting and serving popped popcorn kernels and other finger foods (collectively finger foods). In one non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus is a tubiform bag with first and second closable openings respectively located at the ends of the bag's tubiform. A related method may comprise the steps of: obtaining an open ended tubiform body with a first end and a second end; closing the second end; orienting the tubiform body so that the first end is above the second end; placing finger food into the tubiform through the first end; condimenting the finger food through the first end; closing the first open end; orienting the tubiform body so that the second end is above the first end; opening the second end; and, condimenting the finger food through the second end.
The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is better explained in the following description and attached figures in which:
It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only a typical embodiment of a bag. As a result, the figures are not to be considered limiting of the scope of the underlying invention. That is to say, the disclosed invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts and the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThis application discloses a finger food condimenting and serving container. Generally, the disclosed container is an open ended tubiform bag with closable openings respectively at the ends of the tubiform. In basic operation, the bag may be filled with finger food and condiments may be provided to the contained finger food through either opening. The specific details of a preferable embodiment of the container are described with reference to the attached figures.
Although
As alluded to above while discussing
In one embodiment, the tubiform bag 100 depicted in the figures may be formed of materials suitable for retaining and serving finger foods. Such materials include, but should not be limited to, paper, plastic, paperboard, cardboard, insulated paper, wax paper, foil, combinations thereof, and the like. Other materials suitable for use in connection with this disclosure may become recognizable by those having ordinary skill in the relevant arts and such materials are contemplated as being within the scope, spirit, and intent of the invention. This specification and the below listing of claims shall therefore be read and understood to include any of such materials.
In one embodiment the disclosed finger food is popped popcorn kernels. However, it is contemplated that any finger food may be served and condimented by the disclosed apparatus, including but not limited to chicken nuggets, chicken fingers, french-fries, tater tots, doughnut holes, candy pieces, popcorn kernels, nuts, fruits or fruit slices, vegetables or vegetable slices, foodstuff crumbles or pieces of any kind, or the like.
In one embodiment the disclosed condiment is butter or butter flavored oils. However, it is contemplated that any condiment may be provided to finger foods via the disclosed apparatus. Such condiments include, but should not be limited to, sauces (e.g., melted cheese, barbeque sauce, melted butter or butter flavored oils, salad dressings (e.g. ranch dressing), ketchup, mustard and the like), spices, seasonings, crumbled food stuffs (e.g., cheese crumbles or candy crumbles) and the like.
By way of summary, what is disclosed may be an open ended tubiform container for condimenting and serving finger foods. In one embodiment the open ends of the tubiform may be closed one at a time so that a finger food may be deposited therein, provided with a condiment though a first opening, and provided with a condiment through the second opening. In another embodiment the container is lengthwise collapsible and expandable with respect to the tubiform. What is also disclosed may be a method of condimenting a finger food comprising the steps of: obtaining an open ended tubiform body with a first end and a second end; closing the second end; orienting the tubiform body so that the first end is above the second end; placing finger food into the tubiform through the first end; condimenting the finger food through the first end; closing the first open end; orienting the tubiform body so that the second end is above the first end; opening the second end; and, condimenting the finger food through the second end. The above method could be applied to buttering popped popcorn kernels, placing sauces on chicken nuggets or wings, placing salad dressing on salads, placing seasoning on french-fries, or similar placements of condiments.
This specification and the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments or principles disclosed in this application, and therefore, are not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Any invention disclosed by this specification is defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A method of serving and condimenting finger foods comprising the steps of:
- obtaining an open ended tubiform body with a first end and a second end;
- closing the second end;
- placing finger food into the tubiform through the first end;
- applying a condiment to the finger food through the first end;
- closing the first end;
- opening the second end; and,
- applying a condiment to the finger food through the second end.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of orienting the tubiform body so that the first end is above the second end prior to the step of contacting the finger food with a condiment through the first end.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of orienting the tubiform body so that the second end is above the first end prior to the step of applying a condiment to the finger food through the second end.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
- orienting the tubiform body so that the first end is above the second end prior to the step of contacting the finger food with a condiment through the first end; and,
- orienting the tubiform body so that the second end is above the first end prior to the step of contacting the finger food with a condiment through the second end.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the finger food is selected from the group consisting essentially of chicken nuggets, chicken fingers, French-fries, tater tots, doughnut holes, candy pieces, popped popcorn kernels, nuts, fruits, fruit slices, vegetables, vegetable slices, foodstuff crumbles or pieces.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the condiment is selected from the group consisting essentially of sauces, spices, seasonings, crumbled foodstuffs, butter, or butter flavored oil.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the tubiform body is expandable.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of expanding the body before the step of placing the finger food into the tubiform through the first end.
9. A method of serving and condimenting finger foods comprising the steps of:
- obtaining an open ended tubiform body with a first end and a second end;
- closing the second end;
- orienting the tubiform body so that the first end is above the second end;
- placing finger food into the tubiform through the first end;
- condimenting the finger food through the first end;
- closing the first open end;
- orienting the tubiform body so that the second end is above the first end;
- opening the second end; and,
- condimenting the finger food through the second end
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the finger food is selected from the group consisting essentially of chicken nuggets, chicken fingers, french-fries, tater tots, doughnut holes, candy pieces, popped popcorn kernels, nuts, fruits, fruit slices, vegetables, vegetable slices, foodstuff crumbles or pieces.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the condimenting is accomplished via contacting the food stuff with a condiment selected from the group consisting essentially of sauces, spices, seasonings, crumbled foodstuffs, butter, or butter flavored oil.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the tubiform body is partially collapsible.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of partially collapsing the body before the step of placing the finger food into the tubiform through the first end.
14. A container for condimenting and serving finger foods comprising: a tubiform body that has
- a first open end that is electively closable and,
- a second open end that is electively closable.
15. The container of claim 1 wherein the tubiform body features accordion folds whereby the body is electively collapsible or expandable.
16. The container of FIG. 1 with the first end open and the second end closed.
17. The container of FIG. 1 with the second end open and the first end closed.
18. The container of claim 15 featuring stops for restricting the collapse of the body.
19. The container of claim 15 featuring at least one tab and at least one slit for restricting the expansion of the body.
20. The container of claim 15 wherein the tubiform is configured to electively expand or collapse into large, medium, and small configurations.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 27, 2011
Publication Date: May 2, 2013
Inventor: Tronown V. Thomas (Conroe, TX)
Application Number: 13/283,573
International Classification: B65B 25/22 (20060101); B65D 33/00 (20060101);