Ultimate Communion
This invention creates a unique and simplified version of the disposable communion container. Two compartments are formed at opposite ends of the container from one piece of food grade, clear plastic material requiring only one thermo-forming application. This prevents the confusion and difficulty opening overlapping lids or closures that requires thinly pressed, circular wafers to be used for the bread element. This invention also prevents the possibility of opening a compartment by accident possibly causing a spill of the elements. The compartment created for the bread is large enough to hold a biscuit shaped cracker with distinct flavors and texture. A simpler container with larger compartments accommodating elements that conform closer to the Scriptural description of traditional and sacred communion elements.
This application is a continuation of U.S. provisional patent application no. 62/387,807 filed Jan. 7, 2016 titled Ultimate Communion.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIXNot applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of EndeavorThis invention pertains to the field of food, processes, compositions and products (Class 426), specifically including food and drink dispensing or serving. Field of search included 426/115, 426/119, 426/120, 426/123, 426/124, 426/86, 206/19, 206/196, 206/217, 220/23, 220/500, 220/522.
2. Prior ArtU.S. Pat. No. 4,923,702 titled Communion Container (Powell) describes as an improved communion container for containing a portion of wine/grape juice and a portion of bread. The container includes a lid secured to the cup around the open mouth and to seal the portion of wine or grape juice within the cup. Also, a separate receptacle to hold a portion of bread specifically designed to fit into a separate cavity as shown in
Another Communion receptacle, U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,570 titled Dual-Compartment Communion Container (Richmond) describes a container that has a dual-compartment, disposable and sanitary. The first compartment is formed by a cup which is closed off by a first, removable closure element. A second compartment is formed by a recess within the sidewall of the cup, and is closed off by a second closure element. Sidewall compartment details are shown in patent drawings
The previously patents describe separate cavities for traditional communion sacrament elements of wine/grape juice and bread.
One has the bread cavity located on the side while the other has the bread cavity located on the base of the cup. This patent requires a separate receptacle to hold the bread that then can be place and secured into the cavity in the base.
However, only the first patent cited (U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,702) bears any similarity in design, utility or operating principle to the communion cup disclosed herein. The Ultimate Communion cup described in this application uses a similar dual compartment concept featuring and opening located at the top of the cup and cavity opening located at the base of the cup. This is where the rudimentary similarities end. The communion cup described in this application enlarges the space provided for the bread while simplifying the process for opening both top and base compartments of the container.
The Ultimate Communion cup is designed to provide a unique and efficient serviceability to a product widely used for food and drink dispensing. It provides greater space for the elements while using minimal materials.
None of the inventions and patents noted, taken either in combination or singly, is shown to describe the invention disclosed herein as claimed. The Ultimate Communion cup is comprised of just two primary components:
(1) A thermo-formed cup featuring a compartment at the top of the container used for grape juice with an additional compartment/cavity at the base of the container used for the bread/biscuit/cracker.
(2) Two peel-off, heat-sealable closures consisting of thermoplastic and paper-backed foils treated with heat activated adhesives.
Claims
1. A single, two compartment, thermo-formed plastic container with heat-sealed, peel-off closures to secure the contents of both compartments.
2. The base compartment of the container is pre-filled with the first communion element, a solid selected from the group consisting of bread, biscuit and cracker.
3. The upper compartment of the container is pre-filled with the second communion element, a liquid selected from the group consisting of water, wine and red grape juice.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 3, 2017
Publication Date: Jul 5, 2018
Inventor: William Jack Shaw (Tulsa, OK)
Application Number: 15/330,983