Container used for dispensing solid and liquid food items

Abstract

A collection of containers for dispensing food stuffs. This multi-compartmental dispenser comprises a liquid dispenser which doubles as a handle. The design is such that a small child can hold onto the handle while sipping liquids from the handle/straw.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application 61/608,225 filed 8 Mar. 2012; entitled “Sippy Snack Cup”. The entire contents being hereby incorporated by reference and for which benefit of the priority date is claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to food packaging and dispensing. More specifically, the present invention relates to multi-compartment food packages wherein one of the compartments comprises a liquid dispenser which doubles as a handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most combination cups for carrying drinks and snack foods are bulky and hard for the child to hold. Children are also prone to tipping their drinks and require safeguards to keep liquids and snacks from spilling out on to adjacent surfaces.

Also holding a container while accessing it is hard for a child who has small hands not adapted for fitting around a container.

It is also easy to lose a straw which is separated from the cup.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a hand held container having at least two compartments wherein at least one compartment stores a liquid. The compartment which stores the liquid is also in communication with the entry to a cannula or straw which is formed inside the handle. It is easy to use as a child can hold the container in one hand and easily manipulate the handle which doubles as a straw which is held in one hand up to the mouth for sipping. Having the straw double as the handle is advantageous as it can fit easily in to a small child's hand.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a cup having the handle also serve as a cannula or straw.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a multi food container which can easily be carried and manipulated by a small child's hands.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a multi food container which does not easily spill the contents.

It is another object of the invention that this structure to provide improved ergonomics for a multi food container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical embodiment of a food container wherein the dispenser forms a handle for the container;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of a base member;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a base member.

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the invention that includes two handles

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Elements of the invention:

• 10—sippy snack cup™
• 12—lid member
• 14—first compartment
• 16—second compartment
• 18—access portal
• 20—lip
• 22—interface
• 24—sidewall
• 26—seal
• 28—interface
• 30—latch member
• 32—catch member
• 34—flooring
• 36—sidewall
• 38—base flooring 38A—alternate inclined base
• 40—handle member
• 42—orifice
• 44—male threaded member
• 46—female threaded member
• 48—cannula
• 50—support member
• 52—extended portion
• 54—second handle

FIGS. 1 through 3 depict two embodiments of the present invention being a sippy snack cup™ comprising a lid member being associated with a first compartment by means of a latch member and catch member in one embodiment or, alternatively, a male and female threaded member. The lid member may comprise an access portal, generally comprising flexible plastic flaps, for accessing the first compartment without having to remove the lid. The lid member can be made of other flexible material. The lid member can be spill proof. One or more interface(s) may be deployed in order to nest the compartments together.

Optionally a seal such as a gasket, o-ring, flap or the like, can be deployed to aid in retention of liquids.

In this instance, the compartments are comprised of sidewalls and flooring or base flooring members in order to provide a volume for retaining materials, such as food stuffs or the like. As known to those skilled in the art, a floor member of one compartment may also form an enclosure for an adjacent compartment.

A handle member which can optionally comprise one or more support member(s) is formed having a cannula for the carrying of a liquid. Further an extended portion can be provided for providing easier access to the orifice above a first compartment by the user.

As shown in FIG. 5, the floor member can also comprise an alternate inclined base. The inclined base being adapted for the gravity aided flow of liquids toward the entry to the cannula.

The invention is used by providing food stuffs to the first and second compartments. Preferably the compartment having the cannula is provided with a liquid substance which is then sucked through the orifice.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. The invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

For example, although the foregoing refers to two compartments, it is contemplated that the embodiment can comprise more than two compartments. Further, dimensional, coupling, and sealing details may vary from embodiment to embodiment in terms of dimensions and exact position of handle and compartmental structural members, depending on the physical arrangement of the structural members, as well as the needs of the user.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent appended claims.

Claims

1. A food container comprising multiple compartments wherein at least one edible substance is in the form of a liquid and comprising the following:

(i) a container comprising at least two separated compartments, each compartment having a portal thereto for access to each said compartment;

(ii) a dispenser having an inlet portion and an outlet portion;

(iii) at least one of the compartments suited for receiving and holding a liquid, said liquid holding compartment being in communication with the inlet portion of the dispenser;

(iv) and the dispenser forming a handle for the container between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the dispenser.

2. The food container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the food dispenser is a straw.

3. The food container in accordance with claim 2 wherein at least one of the compartments is suited for receiving and holding solid food.

4. The food container in accordance with claim 3 wherein the compartment suited for receiving and holding food comprises a lid.

5. The food container in accordance with claim 4 wherein the lid has at least one slit allowing a hand to grab the contents.

6. The food container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the two compartments have a seal in-between the compartments.

7. The food container in accordance with claim 6 wherein the seal comprises one of the group consisting of a gasket, an o-ring, and a flap.

8. The food container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the container has at least one handle.

9. The food container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the at least one handle is at least two handles.

10. A method of dispensing beverages and food items consisting of:

(i) Placing the beverage and food items in the same container

(ii) Wherein the container has at least two separated compartments, each compartment having a portal thereto for access to each said compartment;

(iii) a dispenser having an inlet portion and an outlet portion;

(iv) and the dispenser forming a handle for the container between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the dispenser.

11. The method of dispensing beverages and food items of claim 9, wherein the beverage dispenser is a straw.

12. The method of dispensing beverages and food items of claim 9, wherein the straw is connected to the bottom of at least one of the separate containers

13. The method of dispensing beverages and food items of claim 9, wherein the at least two separate containers are on top of each other.

14. The method of dispensing beverages and food items of claim 9, wherein the compartment suited for receiving and holding food comprises a lid.

15. The method of dispensing beverages and food items of claim 13, wherein the lid has at least one slit allowing a hand to grab the contents.