US20090236346A1 - Article for storing and dispensing food - Google Patents

Article for storing and dispensing food Download PDF

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Publication number
US20090236346A1
US20090236346A1 US12/077,787 US7778708A US2009236346A1 US 20090236346 A1 US20090236346 A1 US 20090236346A1 US 7778708 A US7778708 A US 7778708A US 2009236346 A1 US2009236346 A1 US 2009236346A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
compartments
article
product
storing
container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/077,787
Inventor
Albert John Hofeldt
Richard Stern
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US12/077,787 priority Critical patent/US20090236346A1/en
Publication of US20090236346A1 publication Critical patent/US20090236346A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/44—Integral, inserted or attached portions forming internal or external fittings
    • B65D5/48—Partitions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
    • B65D1/04—Multi-cavity bottles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/34—Trays or like shallow containers
    • B65D1/36—Trays or like shallow containers with moulded compartments or partitions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/02—Internal fittings
    • B65D25/04—Partitions

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to the field of packaging food products and more specifically to an article of manufacture for storing and dispensing perishable foods in individually sealed compartments.
  • Consumable solid food products such as dry cereal, crackers, seeds, and nuts are typically sold in sealed bulk containers where small portions are removed over a period of time. Once the seal is broken, resealing generally does not protect the product from oxidation, humidity, and insect invasion. For example, after opening a dry cereal box and pouring a bowl of cereal, customarily the paper liner is crumpled and the box top is folded closed. This closure does not prevent air and moisture from entering the box and deteriorating the cereal. This folded closure is no barrier to common cupboard insects that can crawl through cracks in the folds of the paper cereal box liner.
  • Portion control has been a problem with bulk storage containers because the portion size is not easily determined without having access to a measuring device.
  • the invention also applies to liquid food products such as juices.
  • the manufacturer recommends that a can or bottle of tomato juice or prune juice should be refrigerated to prevent spoilage once the container is opened.
  • dispensing the contents of one compartment does not warrant refrigeration since the remaining compartments are sealed. This prolongs the shelf life of the product and prevents the need to refrigerate the container.
  • Single portion packaging of dry cereal, crackers, seeds, nuts, juices and other liquids is an option that provides for product freshness and achieves precise portion size but is accompanied by the inconvenience of having multiple individual boxes or packages to store.
  • individual packaging is more costly per unit volume than larger quantities of the same product.
  • the primary objective of the invention is to divide the contents of a container of consumable food into portions confined to individual compartments.
  • Another objective of the invention is to provide compartments that are easily opened.
  • Another objective of the invention is to provide for sealed compartments that prevent food from deteriorating due to exposure to the environment.
  • a further objective of the invention is to provide a seal to protect against the invasion of insects.
  • Yet another objective of the invention is to provide for portion control by clearly identifying the quantity of food in each portion.
  • Still yet another objective of the invention is to improve product life by maintaining freshness of the unopened portions by sealing the product from harmful environmental elements.
  • an article of manufacture for storing and dispensing perishable foods comprising multiple sealed compartments having the major benefits of preserving freshness and sterility of the unopened portions which results in prolonging the shelf life of a given quantity of product over currently available bulk containers where the entire contents are exposed to the environment every time a portion is dispensed.
  • FIG. 1 is the storage and dispensing container having multiple sealed compartments as seen through the outer enclosure members.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cylindrical embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a compartmental fluid filled container.
  • the invention is an article of manufacture for storing and dispensing perishable food products that improves the product life over bulk storage by maintaining unopened portions in multiple sealed compartments that are individually opened before dispensing.
  • the seal that closes the compartments prevents exposure of the unused product to the oxygen and humidity of the environment that shortens life of the product and serves as an impermeable barrier to insects common to the kitchen cupboard.
  • Portion size is determined by the volume of the individual compartments and the percent to which the compartment is filled with the food product.
  • Caloric intake is easily managed by opening the number of compartments to fulfill the caloric limit.
  • the food products that could be packaged in the multiple compartment containers include, but are not limited to, cereals, nuts, dried fruits and seeds.
  • container 1 made up of multiple compartments separated by partitions as depicted by chamber 2 and chamber 9 which are separated by partition 3 .
  • Each compartment has opening 4 that is sealed by cover 5 .
  • Tab 6 allows for easy grasping and tearing away cover 5 from container 1 to expose the product in the individual chambers.
  • the compartments within container 1 may be filled with the same product or different products as illustrated by items 7 and 8 .
  • FIG. 2 shows tab 6 and cover 5 peeled away from the face of chamber 9 with exposure of opening 4 .
  • Product 7 is freely dispensed from compartment 9 into bowl 10 by tilting container 1 .
  • FIG. 3 Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 3 where the container is cylinder 20 having circumferential wall 21 , a bottom and a top. Cylinder 20 is divided into compartments by partitions 22 , 23 , 24 and 25 . Top 26 is peeled open with tab 27 to expose product 28 .
  • FIG. 4 is a container 30 that is divided into fluid containing compartments with caps, such as screw cap 31 , sealing the individual compartments.
  • the top compartment is uncapped and fluid 33 is pouring from open spout 32 into cup 34 .

Abstract

An article of manufacture for storing and dispensing perishable foods that prolongs product life and encourages portion control by dividing bulk storage into multiple sealed compartments with each compartment having an easily removable closure that prevents exposure to the environment.

Description

    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • Not Applicable
    • STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
  • Not Applicable
    • DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED APPENDIX
  • Not Applicable
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • This invention relates generally to the field of packaging food products and more specifically to an article of manufacture for storing and dispensing perishable foods in individually sealed compartments. Consumable solid food products such a dry cereal, crackers, seeds, and nuts are typically sold in sealed bulk containers where small portions are removed over a period of time. Once the seal is broken, resealing generally does not protect the product from oxidation, humidity, and insect invasion. For example, after opening a dry cereal box and pouring a bowl of cereal, customarily the paper liner is crumpled and the box top is folded closed. This closure does not prevent air and moisture from entering the box and deteriorating the cereal. This folded closure is no barrier to common cupboard insects that can crawl through cracks in the folds of the paper cereal box liner. Similarly, once a box of crackers is opened it is generally not possible to reseal the container adequately to protect the product from deterioration and contamination. Portion control has been a problem with bulk storage containers because the portion size is not easily determined without having access to a measuring device.
  • The invention also applies to liquid food products such as juices. For example, the manufacturer recommends that a can or bottle of tomato juice or prune juice should be refrigerated to prevent spoilage once the container is opened. With the invention, dispensing the contents of one compartment does not warrant refrigeration since the remaining compartments are sealed. This prolongs the shelf life of the product and prevents the need to refrigerate the container.
  • Single portion packaging of dry cereal, crackers, seeds, nuts, juices and other liquids is an option that provides for product freshness and achieves precise portion size but is accompanied by the inconvenience of having multiple individual boxes or packages to store. In addition, individual packaging is more costly per unit volume than larger quantities of the same product.
    • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The primary objective of the invention is to divide the contents of a container of consumable food into portions confined to individual compartments.
  • Another objective of the invention is to provide compartments that are easily opened.
  • Another objective of the invention is to provide for sealed compartments that prevent food from deteriorating due to exposure to the environment.
  • A further objective of the invention is to provide a seal to protect against the invasion of insects.
  • Yet another objective of the invention is to provide for portion control by clearly identifying the quantity of food in each portion.
  • Still yet another objective of the invention is to improve product life by maintaining freshness of the unopened portions by sealing the product from harmful environmental elements.
  • Other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
  • In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an article of manufacture for storing and dispensing perishable foods comprising multiple sealed compartments having the major benefits of preserving freshness and sterility of the unopened portions which results in prolonging the shelf life of a given quantity of product over currently available bulk containers where the entire contents are exposed to the environment every time a portion is dispensed.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is the storage and dispensing container having multiple sealed compartments as seen through the outer enclosure members.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cylindrical embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a compartmental fluid filled container.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
  • The invention is an article of manufacture for storing and dispensing perishable food products that improves the product life over bulk storage by maintaining unopened portions in multiple sealed compartments that are individually opened before dispensing. The seal that closes the compartments prevents exposure of the unused product to the oxygen and humidity of the environment that shortens life of the product and serves as an impermeable barrier to insects common to the kitchen cupboard. Portion size is determined by the volume of the individual compartments and the percent to which the compartment is filled with the food product. Caloric intake is easily managed by opening the number of compartments to fulfill the caloric limit. The food products that could be packaged in the multiple compartment containers include, but are not limited to, cereals, nuts, dried fruits and seeds. In FIG. 1 is shown container 1 made up of multiple compartments separated by partitions as depicted by chamber 2 and chamber 9 which are separated by partition 3. Each compartment has opening 4 that is sealed by cover 5. Tab 6 allows for easy grasping and tearing away cover 5 from container 1 to expose the product in the individual chambers. The compartments within container 1 may be filled with the same product or different products as illustrated by items 7 and 8.
  • In prospective view, FIG. 2 shows tab 6 and cover 5 peeled away from the face of chamber 9 with exposure of opening 4. Product 7 is freely dispensed from compartment 9 into bowl 10 by tilting container 1.
  • Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 3 where the container is cylinder 20 having circumferential wall 21, a bottom and a top. Cylinder 20 is divided into compartments by partitions 22, 23, 24 and 25. Top 26 is peeled open with tab 27 to expose product 28.
  • In FIG. 4 is a container 30 that is divided into fluid containing compartments with caps, such as screw cap 31, sealing the individual compartments. The top compartment is uncapped and fluid 33 is pouring from open spout 32 into cup 34.
  • While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (3)

1. An article of manufacture for storing and dispensing perishable products comprising:
a. multiple compartments,
b. a seal for each of said compartments that prevents exposure to the environment; and
c. means of individually opening each of said compartments,
whereby portion control and product freshness are maintained by dividing bulk storage into sealed compartments.
2. An article of claim 1 where the product is a solid.
3. An article of claim 1 where the product is a liquid.
US12/077,787 2008-03-22 2008-03-22 Article for storing and dispensing food Abandoned US20090236346A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/077,787 US20090236346A1 (en) 2008-03-22 2008-03-22 Article for storing and dispensing food

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/077,787 US20090236346A1 (en) 2008-03-22 2008-03-22 Article for storing and dispensing food

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20090236346A1 true US20090236346A1 (en) 2009-09-24

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US12/077,787 Abandoned US20090236346A1 (en) 2008-03-22 2008-03-22 Article for storing and dispensing food

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Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090320143A1 (en) * 2008-06-24 2009-12-24 Microsoft Corporation Sensor interface
US20090319569A1 (en) * 2008-06-24 2009-12-24 Microsoft Corporation Context platform
US20100065557A1 (en) * 2003-09-23 2010-03-18 Gerry Gersovitz Multi-compartment container
US20110284550A1 (en) * 2010-05-18 2011-11-24 Gerry Gersovitz Multi-Compartment Containers
US20130228535A1 (en) * 2012-03-03 2013-09-05 Erik David Wood Bicycle rack
US20170015467A1 (en) * 2015-07-15 2017-01-19 Kellogg Company Container For Stacked Foodstuff
US20170313482A1 (en) * 2014-11-03 2017-11-02 Å&R Carton Lund Aktiebolag Packaging container for bulk solids
US10407214B2 (en) 2010-05-18 2019-09-10 Gerry Gersovitz Multi-compartment containers
US11225357B2 (en) 2003-09-23 2022-01-18 Gerry Gersovitz Multi-compartment container
US11878840B2 (en) 2019-07-02 2024-01-23 Gpi Systems Ab Method of producing a packaging container and a packaging container

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4253572A (en) * 1979-04-30 1981-03-03 Frank Halbich Plastic pillbox
US4817808A (en) * 1988-02-01 1989-04-04 Bonnie Bracy Table-top receptacle for storing prepared food items
US5335813A (en) * 1992-12-02 1994-08-09 Hao Qi Double-vessel can

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4253572A (en) * 1979-04-30 1981-03-03 Frank Halbich Plastic pillbox
US4817808A (en) * 1988-02-01 1989-04-04 Bonnie Bracy Table-top receptacle for storing prepared food items
US5335813A (en) * 1992-12-02 1994-08-09 Hao Qi Double-vessel can

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9611073B2 (en) 2003-09-23 2017-04-04 Gerry Gersovitz Multi-compartment container
US20100065557A1 (en) * 2003-09-23 2010-03-18 Gerry Gersovitz Multi-compartment container
US11225357B2 (en) 2003-09-23 2022-01-18 Gerry Gersovitz Multi-compartment container
US8915395B2 (en) 2003-09-23 2014-12-23 Gerry Gersovitz Multi-compartment container
US20090319569A1 (en) * 2008-06-24 2009-12-24 Microsoft Corporation Context platform
US20090320143A1 (en) * 2008-06-24 2009-12-24 Microsoft Corporation Sensor interface
US8516001B2 (en) 2008-06-24 2013-08-20 Microsoft Corporation Context platform
US20110284550A1 (en) * 2010-05-18 2011-11-24 Gerry Gersovitz Multi-Compartment Containers
US10407214B2 (en) 2010-05-18 2019-09-10 Gerry Gersovitz Multi-compartment containers
US11230411B2 (en) 2010-05-18 2022-01-25 Gerry Gersovitz Multi-compartment containers
US20130228535A1 (en) * 2012-03-03 2013-09-05 Erik David Wood Bicycle rack
US20170313482A1 (en) * 2014-11-03 2017-11-02 Å&R Carton Lund Aktiebolag Packaging container for bulk solids
US11111062B2 (en) 2014-11-03 2021-09-07 Ar Packaging Systems Ab Method of making packaging container for bulk solids
US20170015467A1 (en) * 2015-07-15 2017-01-19 Kellogg Company Container For Stacked Foodstuff
US11878840B2 (en) 2019-07-02 2024-01-23 Gpi Systems Ab Method of producing a packaging container and a packaging container

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