PORTABLE PACKAGE CARRYING CASE

A portable package carrying case can be used to carry a plurality of food containers. Various versions of the case are provided. Methods for carrying food containers are also provided. The cases and the methods enable containers to be easily secured in the case, preferably while the containers remain at least partially visible, and also enable the containers to be easily removed from the case.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/941,653, filed on Feb. 19, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Various containers are known for transporting packages such as cans of food. For example, boxes and bags are typically used to transport such packages. However, these known containers do not allow an individual to easily access a specific package from those stacked in the container and often do not allow an individual to view the packages.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to an arrangement to conveniently transport a plurality of food items, particularly to an arrangement to conveniently transport a plurality of packaged food items that are packaged in the same or similar shaped, sized and configured packaging, more particularly to a portable package carrying case that is designed to conveniently transport a plurality of packaged food items that are packaged in the same or similar shaped, sized and configured packaging, and still more particularly to a portable package carrying case that is designed to enable convenient loading, unloading and transporting of a plurality of packaged food items that are packaged in the same or similar shaped, sized and configured packaging.

Accordingly, in a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a case comprising: a first side; a second side configured to reversibly move between an open configuration and a closed configuration relative to the first side; and wells in the case formed by the closed configuration of the second side relative to the first side, each of the wells comprising a top end, a bottom end and a circumferential wall, wherein the first side forms a first portion of the top end of each of the wells, a first portion of the bottom end of each of the wells, and a first portion of the circumferential wall of each of the wells, wherein the second side forms a second portion of the top end of each of the wells, a second portion of the bottom end of each of the wells, and a second portion of the circumferential wall of each of the wells.

In an embodiment, the top end of each of the wells consists of the first and second portions of the top end, the bottom end of each of the wells consists of the first and second portions of the bottom end, and the circumferential wall of each of the wells consists of the first and second portions of the circumferential wall.

In an embodiment, for each of the wells, the first and second portions of the top end have identical dimensions relative to each other, the first and second portions of the bottom end have identical dimensions relative to each other, and the first and second portions of the circumferential wall have identical dimensions relative to each other.

In an embodiment, the first and second sides have identical dimensions relative to each other.

In an embodiment, each of the wells is a cylinder. The first side can form a half of the cylinder, and the second side can form the other half of the cylinder.

In an embodiment, the case comprises slots in at least one of the first or second side, each of the slots forms an opening through the circumferential wall of a corresponding well.

In an embodiment, each of the wells has a uniform circumference from the top end to the bottom end, the case comprises packages of food positioned in the wells, and the packages of food have a circumference equal to the uniform circumference of each of the wells.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method comprising: inserting packages into a first side of a case; and connecting a second side of the case to the first side to form a closed configuration of the case, the connecting of the second side forms wells in the case, each of the wells comprising a top end, a bottom end and a circumferential wall, the first side forms a first portion of the top end of each of the wells, a first portion of the bottom end of each of the wells, and a first portion of the circumferential wall of each of the wells, and the second side forms a second portion of the top end of each of the wells, a second portion of the bottom end of each of the wells, and a second portion of the circumferential wall of each of the wells, the closed configuration at least partially encloses the packages in the case.

In an embodiment, the method comprises moving the case from the closed configuration to an open configuration by disconnecting at least a portion of the second side from the first side.

In an embodiment, each of the packages is cylindrical and comprises food, and each of the wells is cylindrical.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a case comprising: a top wall; a bottom wall; a side wall that extends from the top wall to the bottom wall; wells formed by the top, bottom and side walls, each of the wells having an opening that extends from the top wall of the case to the bottom wall of the case; and securing members extending perpendicular to the top and bottom walls of the case, wherein, for each of the wells, one of the securing members is positioned on one side of the opening and another one of the securing members is positioned on an opposite side of the opening.

In an embodiment, the securing members reversibly connect and disconnect to at least one of the top wall, the bottom wall, or the side wall of the case.

In an embodiment, the securing members are flexible and configured to deflect from an original position to a bent position that allows insertion of a package into a corresponding well and configured to regain the original position to at least partially enclose the package within the corresponding well.

In an embodiment, the case comprises cylindrical packages of food positioned in the wells.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method comprising: removing from a case at least one selected securing member of a plurality of securing members connected to the case, the case comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a side wall that extends from the top wall to the bottom wall, and wells formed by the top, bottom and side walls, each of the wells has an opening that extends from the top wall of the case to the bottom wall of the case, and for each of the wells, one of the plurality of securing members is positioned on one side of the opening and another one of the plurality of securing members is positioned on an opposite side of the opening; inserting packages into at least one selected well of the case; and securing the packages in the case by reconnecting to the case the at least one selected securing member which was removed from the case, the reconnecting of the at least one securing member at least partially encloses the packages in the at least one selected well.

In an embodiment, the method comprises removing at least one of the packages from the case by (i) removing at least one of the plurality of securing members and (ii) then removing the at least one of the packages from one of the wells adjacent to the at least one of the plurality of securing members which is removed.

In an embodiment, each of the packages is cylindrical and comprises food.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method comprising: inserting packages into one or more wells in a case comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a side wall that extends from the top wall to the bottom wall, the wells are formed by the top, bottom and side walls, each of the wells has an opening that extends from the top wall of the case to the bottom wall of the case, and for each of the wells, a securing member that is flexible is positioned on one side of the opening and another securing member that is flexible is positioned on an opposite side of the opening, the inserting of the packages comprising deflecting at least one of the securing members from an original position to a bent position; and securing the packages in the case, the securing of the packages comprising the original position being regained by the at least one of the securing members which was deflected.

In an embodiment, the method comprises removing a selected package from the case, the removing comprising exerting force on the selected package through a slot in the side wall of the case, the slot positioned on an opposite side of the well from the opening.

In an embodiment, each of the packages is cylindrical and comprises food.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a case comprising: a first unit comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and first wells, each of the first wells having an opening that extends from the top wall of the first unit to the bottom wall of the first unit; a second unit comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and second wells, each of the second wells having an opening that extends from the top wall of the second unit to the bottom wall of the second unit, the second unit connected to the first unit such that the opening of each of the second wells faces an opposite direction relative to the opening of each of the first wells; and securing members extending perpendicular to the top walls and the bottom walls, wherein, for each of the first and second wells, one of the securing members is positioned on one side of the opening and another one of the securing members is positioned on an opposite side of the opening.

In an embodiment, the securing members reversibly connect and disconnect to at least one of the first unit or the second unit.

In an embodiment, the securing members are flexible and configured to deflect from an original position to a bent position that allows insertion of a package into a corresponding well and configured to regain the original position to at least partially enclose the package within the corresponding well.

In an embodiment, the case comprises cylindrical packages of food positioned in at least one of the first well or the second well.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method comprising: removing from a case at least one selected securing member of a plurality of securing members connected to the case, the case comprising a first unit comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and first wells, each of the first wells having an opening that extends from the top wall of the first unit to the bottom wall of the first unit, the case further comprising a second unit comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and second wells, each of the second wells having an opening that extends from the top wall of the second unit to the bottom wall of the second unit, the second unit connected to the first unit such that the opening of each of the second wells faces an opposite direction relative to the opening of each of the first wells, and for each of the first and second wells, one of the plurality of securing members is positioned on one side of the opening and another one of the plurality of securing members is positioned on an opposite side of the opening; inserting packages into at least one selected well; and securing the packages in the case by reconnecting to the case the at least one selected securing member which was removed from the case, the reconnecting of the at least one securing member at least partially encloses the packages in the at least one selected well.

In an embodiment, the method comprises removing at least one of the packages from the case by (i) removing at least one of the plurality of securing members and (ii) then removing the at least one of the packages from one of the wells adjacent to the at least one of the plurality of securing members which is removed.

In an embodiment, each of the packages is cylindrical and comprises food.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method comprising: inserting packages into one or more wells in a case comprising a first unit comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and first wells, each of the first wells having an opening that extends from the top wall of the first unit to the bottom wall of the first unit, the case further comprising a second unit comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and second wells, each of the second wells having an opening that extends from the top wall of the second unit to the bottom wall of the second unit, the second unit connected to the first unit such that the opening of each of the second wells faces an opposite direction relative to the opening of each of the first wells, and for each of the first and second wells, a securing member that is flexible is positioned on one side of the opening and another securing member that is flexible is positioned on an opposite side of the opening, the inserting of the packages comprising deflecting at least one of the securing members from an original position to a bent position; and securing the packages in the case, the securing of the packages comprising the original position being regained by the at least one of the securing members which was deflected.

In an embodiment, each of the packages is cylindrical and comprises food.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a portable package carrying case according to the present disclosure, in an open configuration.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 1, in a closed configuration.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 2, in the closed configuration and in a standing position.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a portable package carrying case according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 4, with food containers placed therein.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 5, in a standing position.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the portable package carrying case according to the present disclosure, with food containers placed therein.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 7, in a standing position.

FIG. 9 is a back perspective view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 7, in a standing position.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the portable package carrying case according to the present disclosure, with food containers placed therein.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 10, with food containers placed therein and in a standing position.

FIG. 13 is a back perspective view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 10, with food containers placed therein and in a standing position.

FIG. 14A is a front plan view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 14B is a side plan view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 14C is a cross-section view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the portable package carrying case according to the present disclosure, with food containers placed therein.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the portable package carrying case according to the present disclosure, with food containers placed therein.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the portable package carrying case according to the present disclosure, with food containers placed therein.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the second unit in the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the first unit in the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the portable package carrying case shown in FIG. 17, partially disassembled.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several non-limiting embodiments of a portable package carrying case 10 according to the present invention are illustrated. In each of the embodiments, the portable package carrying case 10 is designed to carry a plurality of food container items 20. The portable package carrying case 10 is particularly applicable for use with canned items and will be described with particular reference thereto; however, it will be appreciated that the portable package carrying case 10 can be used to carry other types of goods (e.g., pet food, canned soup, canned meat, canned seafood, canned fruit, canned vegetables, containers of mints/breath fresheners, containers of gum, containers of candy, beverage containers, spice containers, frozen beverage concentrates containers, containers of yogurt, containers of refrigerated or frozen bakery goods, containers of ice cream or sorbet, votive candles, etc.). The term “food” means a product or composition that is intended for ingestion by an animal, including a human, and provides at least one nutrient to the animal.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, one non-limiting embodiment of the portable package carrying case 10 is illustrated. The size, shape and material of the portable package carrying case 10 are non-limiting. The portable package carrying case 10 is illustrated as being designed to hold up to thirty food containers 20; however, it can be appreciated that the portable package carrying case 10 can be designed to hold more than or less than thirty food containers 20. The portable package carrying case 10 is illustrated as being a two-piece system; however, the portable package carrying case 10 can be formed of more than or less than two pieces. Each of the two pieces is illustrated as being a mirror configuration of one another; however; this is not required.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a first side 11 of the portable package carrying case 10, when the portable package carrying case 10 is in the open position, is designed to receive the food containers 20. Once the desired amount of the food containers 20 are loaded into the first side 11 of the portable package carrying case 10, the second side 12 of the portable package carrying case 10 can be moved to the closed position thereby securing the food containers 20 in the portable package carrying case 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The first side 11 and the second side 12 of the portable package carrying case 10 can be connected together by any means (e.g., hinge, flexible connector, etc.). As can be appreciated, the first side 11 and the second side 12 are not required to be connected together when in the open position. The two sides can be connected together when in the closed position by any number of means (e.g., latch, Velcro, snap lock, etc.), for example any means that enable the first side 11 to reversibly connect to the second side 12 to close the case 10 such that the case 10 can be opened without tools and without breaking the case 10.

One or both of the first side 11 and the second side 12 of the portable package carrying case 10 can include one or more slots 13 to enable partial viewing of the food containers 20 in the portable package carrying case 10 when the portable package carrying case 10 is in the closed position. The one or more slots 13 can be used to view the types of products in the portable package carrying case 10 and/or can be used to access identification information on the food containers 20 (e.g., bar code, etc.). As can be appreciated, the portable package carrying case 10 can be formed of a clear or semi-clear material so that the one or more slots can be eliminated; however, this is not required.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-14, other non-limiting embodiments of the portable package carrying case 10 are illustrated. The portable package carrying case 10 is illustrated as formed of a single piece for holding the food containers 20; however, this is not required. The one-piece embodiment of the portable package carrying case 10 includes container wells 14, for example three of the container wells 14, which are each designed to receive a plurality of the food containers 20. As can be appreciated, the portable package carrying case 10 can include more than or less than three of the wells 14.

Each of the container wells 14 includes a securing member 15 that is designed to retain the food containers 20 in the corresponding container well 14. The configuration of the securing member 15 is non-limiting. As illustrated in FIGS. 4-14, the securing member 15 can be a flexible member (e.g., rubber member, plastic member, etc.) and/or can be a rigid or flexible removable member. When the securing member 15 is flexible, the food container 20 can be pushed into the corresponding container well 14, thereby causing the securing member 15 to deflect and thus allow the container 20 to enter the well 14. In this embodiment, once the food container 20 is in the well 14, the securing member 15 moves back to its original position, thereby securing the container 20 in the well 14.

The portable package carrying case 10 can include the slot 13 on each of the wells 14. The one or more slots 13 can be used to view the types of products in the portable package carrying case 10 and/or can be used to access identification information on the food containers 20 (e.g., bar code, etc.). As can be appreciated, the portable package carrying case 10 can be formed of a clear or semi-clear material so that the one or more slots 14 can be eliminated; however, this is not required. The slot 14 can also optionally be used to facilitate in the removal of the food container from the well. When the securing member 15 is flexible, a user can cause the food container 20 to be removed from the well 14 by pushing the food container 20 out of the well 14 via the slot 13, thereby causing the securing member 15 to deflect and thus allow the food container 20 to be removed from the well 14. As can be appreciated, the food container 20 can be removed from the well 14 by other or additional means. The portable package carrying case 10 can optionally include a carrying handle 30 to facilitate in the carrying of the portable package carrying case 10. The portable package carrying case 10 can include printed material; however, this is not required.

Referring now to FIG. 15, another non-limiting configuration of the portable package carrying case 10 is illustrated. In this configuration, the portable package carrying case 10 includes the handle 30 and comprises a first unit 16 and a second unit 17. Each of the units 16,17 includes two of the wells 14 that are designed to receive a plurality of food containers 20; however, it can be appreciated that each of the units 16,17 can include more than or less than two of the wells 14. The food container 20 can be retained in and/or removed from the wells 14 in a similar manner as described above with regard to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4-14; however, this is not required. Each of the units 16,17 can be detachably connected together; however, this is not required. The units 16,17 can be connected together by a variety of means (e.g., snap lock, Velcro, latch, etc.).

Referring now to FIG. 16, another non-limiting configuration of the portable package carrying case 10 is illustrated. This embodiment of the portable package carrying case 10 is similar to the portable package carrying case 10 of FIG. 15, but has a slightly different configuration.

Referring now to FIGS. 17-22, another non-limiting configuration of the portable package carrying case 10 is illustrated. The portable package carrying case is similar to the portable package carrying case 10 of FIG. 15, but has a slightly different configuration.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the constructions set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The invention has been described with reference to preferred and alternate embodiments. Modifications and alterations will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the detailed discussion of the invention provided herein. This invention is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. These and other modifications of the preferred embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention will be obvious from the disclosure herein, whereby the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A case comprising:

a first side;
a second side configured to reversibly move between an open configuration and a closed configuration relative to the first side; and
wells in the case formed by the closed configuration of the second side relative to the first side, each of the wells comprising a top end, a bottom end and a circumferential wall,
wherein the first side forms a first portion of the top end of each of the wells, a first portion of the bottom end of each of the wells, and a first portion of the circumferential wall of each of the wells,
wherein the second side forms a second portion of the top end of each of the wells, a second portion of the bottom end of each of the wells, and a second portion of the circumferential wall of each of the wells.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein the top end of each of the wells consists of the first and second portions of the top end, the bottom end of each of the wells consists of the first and second portions of the bottom end, and the circumferential wall of each of the wells consists of the first and second portions of the circumferential wall.

3. The case of claim 1, wherein, for each of the wells, the first and second portions of the top end have identical dimensions relative to each other, the first and second portions of the bottom end have identical dimensions relative to each other, and the first and second portions of the circumferential wall have identical dimensions relative to each other.

4. The case of claim 1, wherein the first and second sides have identical dimensions relative to each other.

5. The case of claim 1, wherein each of the wells is a cylinder.

6. The case of claim 5, wherein the first side forms a half of the cylinder, and the second side forms the other half of the cylinder.

7. The case of claim 1, comprising slots in at least one of the first or second side, each of the slots forms an opening through the circumferential wall of a corresponding well.

8. The case of claim 1, wherein each of the wells has a uniform circumference from the top end to the bottom end, the case comprises packages of food positioned in the wells, and the packages of food have a circumference equal to the uniform circumference of each of the wells.

9. A method comprising:

inserting packages into a first side of a case; and
connecting a second side of the case to the first side to form a closed configuration of the case, the connecting of the second side forms wells in the case, each of the wells comprising a top end, a bottom end and a circumferential wall, the first side forms a first portion of the top end of each of the wells, a first portion of the bottom end of each of the wells, and a first portion of the circumferential wall of each of the wells, and the second side forms a second portion of the top end of each of the wells, a second portion of the bottom end of each of the wells, and a second portion of the circumferential wall of each of the wells, the closed configuration at least partially encloses the packages in the case.

10. The method of claim 9, comprising moving the case from the closed configuration to an open configuration by disconnecting at least a portion of the second side from the first side.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein each of the packages is cylindrical and comprises food, and each of the wells is cylindrical.

12. A case comprising:

a top wall;
a bottom wall;
a side wall that extends from the top wall to the bottom wall;
wells formed by the top, bottom and side walls, each of the wells having an opening that extends from the top wall of the case to the bottom wall of the case; and
securing members extending perpendicular to the top and bottom walls of the case,
wherein, for each of the wells, one of the securing members is positioned on one side of the opening and another one of the securing members is positioned on an opposite side of the opening.

13. The case of claim 12, wherein the securing members reversibly connect and disconnect to at least one of the top wall, the bottom wall, or the side wall of the case.

14. The case of claim 12, wherein the securing members are flexible and configured to deflect from an original position to a bent position that allows insertion of a package into a corresponding well and configured to regain the original position to at least partially enclose the package within the corresponding well.

15. The case of claim 12, comprising cylindrical packages of food positioned in the wells.

16. A method comprising:

removing from a case at least one selected securing member of a plurality of securing members connected to the case, the case comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a side wall that extends from the top wall to the bottom wall, and wells formed by the top, bottom and side walls, each of the wells has an opening that extends from the top wall of the case to the bottom wall of the case, and for each of the wells, one of the plurality of securing members is positioned on one side of the opening and another one of the plurality of securing members is positioned on an opposite side of the opening;
inserting packages into at least one selected well of the case; and
securing the packages in the case by reconnecting to the case the at least one selected securing member which was removed from the case, the reconnecting of the at least one securing member at least partially encloses the packages in the at least one selected well.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising removing at least one of the packages from the case by (i) removing at least one of the plurality of securing members and (ii) then removing the at least one of the packages from one of the wells adjacent to the at least one of the plurality of securing members which is removed.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the packages is cylindrical and comprises food.

19. A method comprising:

inserting packages into one or more wells in a case comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a side wall that extends from the top wall to the bottom wall, the wells are formed by the top, bottom and side walls, each of the wells has an opening that extends from the top wall of the case to the bottom wall of the case, and for each of the wells, a securing member that is flexible is positioned on one side of the opening and another securing member that is flexible is positioned on an opposite side of the opening, the inserting of the packages comprising deflecting at least one of the securing members from an original position to a bent position; and
securing the packages in the case, the securing of the packages comprising the original position being regained by the at least one of the securing members which was deflected.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising removing a selected package from the case, the removing comprising exerting force on the selected package through a slot in the side wall of the case, the slot positioned on an opposite side of the well from the opening.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein each of the packages is cylindrical and comprises food.

22. A case comprising:

a first unit comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and first wells, each of the first wells having an opening that extends from the top wall of the first unit to the bottom wall of the first unit;
a second unit comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and second wells, each of the second wells having an opening that extends from the top wall of the second unit to the bottom wall of the second unit, the second unit connected to the first unit such that the opening of each of the second wells faces an opposite direction relative to the opening of each of the first wells; and
securing members extending perpendicular to the top walls and the bottom walls,
wherein, for each of the first and second wells, one of the securing members is positioned on one side of the opening and another one of the securing members is positioned on an opposite side of the opening.

23. The case of claim 22, wherein the securing members reversibly connect and disconnect to at least one of the first unit or the second unit.

24. The case of claim 22, wherein the securing members are flexible and configured to deflect from an original position to a bent position that allows insertion of a package into a corresponding well and configured to regain the original position to at least partially enclose the package within the corresponding well.

25. The case of claim 22, comprising cylindrical packages of food positioned in at least one of the first well or the second well.

26. A method comprising:

removing from a case at least one selected securing member of a plurality of securing members connected to the case, the case comprising a first unit comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and first wells, each of the first wells having an opening that extends from the top wall of the first unit to the bottom wall of the first unit, the case further comprising a second unit comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and second wells, each of the second wells having an opening that extends from the top wall of the second unit to the bottom wall of the second unit, the second unit connected to the first unit such that the opening of each of the second wells faces an opposite direction relative to the opening of each of the first wells, and for each of the first and second wells, one of the plurality of securing members is positioned on one side of the opening and another one of the plurality of securing members is positioned on an opposite side of the opening;
inserting packages into at least one selected well; and
securing the packages in the case by reconnecting to the case the at least one selected securing member which was removed from the case, the reconnecting of the at least one securing member at least partially encloses the packages in the at least one selected well.

27. The method of claim 26, comprising removing at least one of the packages from the case by (i) removing at least one of the plurality of securing members and (ii) then removing the at least one of the packages from one of the wells adjacent to the at least one of the plurality of securing members which is removed.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein each of the packages is cylindrical and comprises food.

29. A method comprising:

inserting packages into one or more wells in a case comprising a first unit comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and first wells, each of the first wells having an opening that extends from the top wall of the first unit to the bottom wall of the first unit, the case further comprising a second unit comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and second wells, each of the second wells having an opening that extends from the top wall of the second unit to the bottom wall of the second unit, the second unit connected to the first unit such that the opening of each of the second wells faces an opposite direction relative to the opening of each of the first wells, and for each of the first and second wells, a securing member that is flexible is positioned on one side of the opening and another securing member that is flexible is positioned on an opposite side of the opening, the inserting of the packages comprising deflecting at least one of the securing members from an original position to a bent position; and
securing the packages in the case, the securing of the packages comprising the original position being regained by the at least one of the securing members which was deflected.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein each of the packages is cylindrical and comprises food.

Patent History
Publication number: 20150232262
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 18, 2015
Publication Date: Aug 20, 2015
Inventors: Curtis Taylor (Chargin Falls, OH), Aaron Misener (Chargin Falls, OH)
Application Number: 14/624,660
Classifications
International Classification: B65D 85/62 (20060101); B65B 7/26 (20060101); B65B 43/38 (20060101); B65B 5/08 (20060101); B65D 25/10 (20060101); B65D 71/36 (20060101);