US20080149637A1 - Food container with utensil - Google Patents
Food container with utensil Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080149637A1 US20080149637A1 US11/644,520 US64452006A US2008149637A1 US 20080149637 A1 US20080149637 A1 US 20080149637A1 US 64452006 A US64452006 A US 64452006A US 2008149637 A1 US2008149637 A1 US 2008149637A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- utensil
- lid
- vessel
- container system
- food
- 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
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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
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
- B65D51/246—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes provided with eating utensils or spatulas
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
Abstract
Packaging, food containers and/or systems for food products are disclosed herein. The packaging, food containers and systems for food products provide a container for food contents and a conveniently packaged utensil for eating the food contents stored in the container.
Description
- The present invention relates to a food storage and serving container having an integrated utensil.
- Increasingly, food manufacturers are packaging individual-serve portions of ready-to-eat foods. Baby food has been packaged in such a manner for years. Such food packaging is designed for the consumer to carry with them and ‘eat on the go.’ However, many foods that are packaged in this manner require some sort of utensil for consumption, e.g., baby food, yogurt, pudding and the like.
- When carrying an ‘eat on the go’ food product that requires a utensil for consumption, issues of convenience and access to such a utensil arise, not to mention sanitation of such a utensil. The issue of sanitation is also of particular concern when the consumer does not eat all of the food product and would like to reseal the container and save the remaining contents for another time. In such a situation, the consumer may be concerned with how to keep the used utensil sanitary, but may also be concerned with how to carry the used utensil around without soiling a bag or a pocket or whatever is used to carry the used utensil.
- Thus, there is a need to provide a convenient and sanitary utensil with such food products.
-
FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the food container system, showing a utensil attached to the lid which may screw onto the food receptacle. -
FIG. 2 (a) is a frontal view of the lid-utensil of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 ; (b) is a backside view of the lid-utensil of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 ; (c) and (d) are side views of the lid-utensil of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the invention where a utensil is attached to an O-ring-like structure that can then be inserted into the lid of a food container system. (a) is an upper-frontal view; (b) is a side view. -
FIG. 4 is a view of an embodiment of the invention where a utensil is attached to a plank-like structure that can snap into the lid of a food container system; (a) is an upper-frontal view; (b) is a side view. - The present invention provides a packaging, or food container, system for food products. In particular, the present invention provides means of conveniently packaging a utensil, for eating the contents, with the container for the contents.
- A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a container system for storing and serving a food product comprising a vessel for holding the food, having a mouth and a lip circumscribing the mouth, and a lid, comprising a lid plate, having an underside that faces towards the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel and a rim circumscribing the lid plate, said rim capable of being secured to the lip of the vessel, and a utensil comprising a shaft having a first end connected to a utensil head and a second end connected to a point on the underside of the lid plate, such that the utensil extends into the vessel when the lid is secured to the vessel.
- Another preferred embodiment of the invention includes a modified-utensil for a resealable food container comprising a means for attaching a utensil to a lid of a resealable food container, a shaft having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to the means for attaching, and said second end of said shaft connected to a utensil head.
- A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a container system for storing and serving baby food comprising: a) ajar for holding the baby food, said jar having a mouth and a lip circumscribing the mouth; b) a lid that may be screwed to the jar; and c) a utensil comprising a shaft having a first end and a second end and a spoon head connected to the second end of the shaft, the first end of the shaft being connected to a point on the underside of the lid such that the utensil extends into the jar when the lid is screwed to the jar.
- The present invention provides a convenient and sanitary means of packaging a utensil with a ‘ready-to-eat’ food container. Thus, the present invention provides a utensil for use in a ‘ready-to-eat’ food container for food products such as soups, puddings, yogurt, baby foods and other edible products of similar consistency. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, a complete food container system is provided in which the utensil is intergrated into the lid of the food container; this results in a “lid-utensil” unit. In another embodiment of the invention, a “modified-utensil” is provided; the modified-utensil is capable of being attached to the inside of a lid to a reusable, resealable, food container system. Thus, the utensil is modified such that at one end is a means for attaching or snapping into the lid. In any embodiment of this invention, a consumer either has handy access to a utensil for consuming the contents or can insert a utensil for handy access. In this way, the “on the move” consumer of such food products does not need to be concerned with: 1) finding a utensil when he or she is ready to eat or, alternatively, remembering to bring a utensil with them; and 2) the cleanliness of any such utensil found or brought. Additionally, when using a resealable and/or reusable container, the consumer need not worry about finding another utensil or storing and keeping clean the utensil for later use since the utensil of the invention remains conveniently housed in the food container/container system.
- Reusable, resealable, “ready-to-eat’ food product containers are well-known, e.g., baby food jars. Such containers and lids may be made from any materials familiar in the art, e.g., glass, metals, polymers/plastics. Similarly, lids may attach to the container, in a resealable/reusable fashion, by any means familiar to those in the art, e.g., screw top or snap top.
- The utensil element of this invention is dimensioned such that it is long enough to fully remove the contents of the container. Ideally the utensil will be designed to extend diagonally across the container to maximize the length of the utensil while still being able to store the utensil in the container. The utensil may be made from a flexible material allowing for greater potential length of the utensil, i.e., the utensil will be forced to bend slightly, or move toward the outer portion of the container, upon tightening of the lid, or cover, onto the container. This insures that the utensil is of sufficient length to extricate all the contents of container.
- Various materials of construction may be used. Flexible plastics are preferred for most embodiments of the utensils. The utensil may also be manufactured from any suitable rigid material. In certain embodiments of the invention (see, e.g.,
FIG. 1 ), the utensil is over-molded or co-molded with a rigid material for the remainder of the lid, thereby resulting in a single ‘lid-utensil unit.’ - The utensil of this invention is not restricted to the form of a one-piece utensil, but may also be manufactured in any number of components to achieve the overall form of a utensil for consuming the contents of the food container, whilst not compromising the sealing capabilities of the lid to the container or the integrity of the utensil itself and, therefore, the ability to use it to consume the contents of the container.
- Having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous modifications are contemplated as being part of this invention as set forth above, and as defined below by the claims.
Claims (14)
1. A container system for storing and serving a liquid or semi-solid food product comprising:
a) a vessel for holding the food product, having a mouth and a lip circumscribing the mouth; and
b) a lid comprising a lid plate, having an underside that faces towards the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel, and a rim circumscribing the lid plate, said rim capable of being secured to the lip of the vessel; and
c) a utensil comprising a shaft having a first end connected to a utensil head and a second end connected to a point on the underside of the lid plate such that the utensil extends into the vessel when the lid is secured to the vessel.
2. The container system of claim 1 , wherein the food product is a baby food product.
3. The container system of claim 1 , wherein the rim of the lid and the lip of the vessel are secured by screwing together.
4. The container system of claim 1 , wherein the rim of the lid and the lip of the vessel are secured by snapping together.
5. The container system of claim 1 , wherein the utensil is a spoon.
6. The container system of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the shaft is connected at the perimeter of the underside of the lid plate.
7. The container system of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the shaft is connected at the center of the underside of the lid plate.
8. The container system of claim 1 , wherein the utensil extends vertically downward into the vessel.
9. The container system of claim 1 , wherein the utensil extends diagonally downward into the vessel.
10. A modified-utensil for a resealable food container comprising a means for attaching a utensil to a lid of a resealable food container, a shaft having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to the means for attaching, the second end of said shaft connected to a utensil head.
11. The modified-utensil of claim 10 , wherein the means for attaching is a disc having a size that matches the lid, such that the disc may be snapped into the underside of the lid.
12. The modified-utensil of claim 10 , wherein the means for attachment is a ring having a circumference that matches the circumference of the lid, such that the ring may be snapped into the underside of the lid.
13. The modified-utensil of claim 10 , wherein the means for attachment is a rod having a length equal to the diameter of the lid, such that the rod may be snapped into the underside of the lid.
14. A container system for storing and serving baby food comprising:
a) a jar for holding the baby food, said jar having a mouth and a lip circumscribing the mouth; and
b) a lid that may be screwed to the jar; and
c) a utensil comprising a shaft having a first end and a second end and a spoon head connected to the second end of the shaft, the first end of the shaft being connected to a point on the underside of the lid such that the utensil extends into the jar when the lid is screwed to the jar.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/644,520 US20080149637A1 (en) | 2006-12-22 | 2006-12-22 | Food container with utensil |
PCT/US2007/024376 WO2008088458A1 (en) | 2006-12-22 | 2007-11-27 | Food container with utensil |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/644,520 US20080149637A1 (en) | 2006-12-22 | 2006-12-22 | Food container with utensil |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080149637A1 true US20080149637A1 (en) | 2008-06-26 |
Family
ID=39541378
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/644,520 Abandoned US20080149637A1 (en) | 2006-12-22 | 2006-12-22 | Food container with utensil |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080149637A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008088458A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120285845A1 (en) * | 2012-06-04 | 2012-11-15 | William Jackson | "Utility" comprising of a condiment container combination, having a enclosed kitchen utensil a cap or lid, a enclosed kitchen utensil housing |
US8757421B2 (en) | 2011-02-14 | 2014-06-24 | Starbucks Corporation | Beverage packaging and method of manufacture |
FR3042178A1 (en) * | 2015-10-08 | 2017-04-14 | Yann Albert Marie Kerloch | SPOON WITH POT |
USD823110S1 (en) | 2015-09-10 | 2018-07-17 | Frank Theodore Koe | Combined bottle lid and applicator |
US11647853B1 (en) * | 2020-08-11 | 2023-05-16 | Ryan P Newland | Ring for holding knife inside jar |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR200482403Y1 (en) * | 2015-11-04 | 2017-01-18 | 주식회사 엘지생활건강 | Vessel |
KR200482402Y1 (en) * | 2015-11-04 | 2017-01-18 | 주식회사 엘지생활건강 | Vessel |
Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1324682A (en) * | 1919-12-09 | Closure attachment | ||
US1391371A (en) * | 1920-01-07 | 1921-09-20 | United Soda Fountain Company | Combined cover and ladle |
US1625335A (en) * | 1925-12-14 | 1927-04-19 | William G Schneider | Container cover |
US1784880A (en) * | 1929-05-24 | 1930-12-16 | Phillipson Ferdinand | Combined spoon and clip |
US1834085A (en) * | 1928-12-17 | 1931-12-01 | Bloom David | Closure |
US2149698A (en) * | 1938-03-10 | 1939-03-07 | Clen S Humphrey | Dispensing container |
US2995265A (en) * | 1958-06-29 | 1961-08-08 | Newburgh Molded Products Inc | Spoon |
US4216975A (en) * | 1978-12-11 | 1980-08-12 | Deere & Company | Tractor hitch |
US5251774A (en) * | 1992-08-07 | 1993-10-12 | Engle Willis S | Lid with utensil and handle |
US5695084A (en) * | 1994-11-04 | 1997-12-09 | Chmela; John F. | Disposable one-piece container closure and eating utensil |
US5785194A (en) * | 1991-06-07 | 1998-07-28 | Warner-Lambert Company | Cap for a container and opening means therefor |
US6578725B2 (en) * | 2001-02-12 | 2003-06-17 | Traffic Works, Inc. | Container lid with finger-receiving scoop |
US20050115965A1 (en) * | 2003-10-28 | 2005-06-02 | Double "H" Plastics, Inc. | Composite container closure with detachable utensil |
US7032632B2 (en) * | 2004-09-27 | 2006-04-25 | Owens-Illinois Prescription Products Inc. | Measuring and dispensing closure |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD302793S (en) * | 1986-03-21 | 1989-08-15 | Kiyoshi Yamaguchi | Combined container closure and spoon |
USD349770S (en) * | 1992-03-02 | 1994-08-16 | Larry D. Madoski | Baby food dispenser |
-
2006
- 2006-12-22 US US11/644,520 patent/US20080149637A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2007
- 2007-11-27 WO PCT/US2007/024376 patent/WO2008088458A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1324682A (en) * | 1919-12-09 | Closure attachment | ||
US1391371A (en) * | 1920-01-07 | 1921-09-20 | United Soda Fountain Company | Combined cover and ladle |
US1625335A (en) * | 1925-12-14 | 1927-04-19 | William G Schneider | Container cover |
US1834085A (en) * | 1928-12-17 | 1931-12-01 | Bloom David | Closure |
US1784880A (en) * | 1929-05-24 | 1930-12-16 | Phillipson Ferdinand | Combined spoon and clip |
US2149698A (en) * | 1938-03-10 | 1939-03-07 | Clen S Humphrey | Dispensing container |
US2995265A (en) * | 1958-06-29 | 1961-08-08 | Newburgh Molded Products Inc | Spoon |
US4216975A (en) * | 1978-12-11 | 1980-08-12 | Deere & Company | Tractor hitch |
US5785194A (en) * | 1991-06-07 | 1998-07-28 | Warner-Lambert Company | Cap for a container and opening means therefor |
US5251774A (en) * | 1992-08-07 | 1993-10-12 | Engle Willis S | Lid with utensil and handle |
US5695084A (en) * | 1994-11-04 | 1997-12-09 | Chmela; John F. | Disposable one-piece container closure and eating utensil |
US6578725B2 (en) * | 2001-02-12 | 2003-06-17 | Traffic Works, Inc. | Container lid with finger-receiving scoop |
US20050115965A1 (en) * | 2003-10-28 | 2005-06-02 | Double "H" Plastics, Inc. | Composite container closure with detachable utensil |
US7032632B2 (en) * | 2004-09-27 | 2006-04-25 | Owens-Illinois Prescription Products Inc. | Measuring and dispensing closure |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8757421B2 (en) | 2011-02-14 | 2014-06-24 | Starbucks Corporation | Beverage packaging and method of manufacture |
US20120285845A1 (en) * | 2012-06-04 | 2012-11-15 | William Jackson | "Utility" comprising of a condiment container combination, having a enclosed kitchen utensil a cap or lid, a enclosed kitchen utensil housing |
USD823110S1 (en) | 2015-09-10 | 2018-07-17 | Frank Theodore Koe | Combined bottle lid and applicator |
FR3042178A1 (en) * | 2015-10-08 | 2017-04-14 | Yann Albert Marie Kerloch | SPOON WITH POT |
US11647853B1 (en) * | 2020-08-11 | 2023-05-16 | Ryan P Newland | Ring for holding knife inside jar |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2008088458A1 (en) | 2008-07-24 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |