CA2068244C - Container with auxiliary pocket - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for holding a ready to eat food product is provided with means on at least one of its surfaces for holding an item associated with the consumption of said food product.

Description

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The present invention relates to the field of containers, particularly to the field of containers for ready to eat food products. In a desirable embodiment, the present invention provides a novel popcorn bag for use in cinemas, the bag being provided with a pocket for holding a toothpick, a napkin, or other useful accoutrements.
A popular snack which is sold at virtually every cinema or movie house is popcorn. It is sold usually in a paper bag, but sometimes in a light cardboard box. These containers, by virtue of the nature of popcorn, tend to be rather bulky, so that if one is carrying something else as well, such as a soft drink, one will not have a free hand. This in turn makes it difficult to pick a napkin from a dispenser for same and carry it. Moreover, an annoyance when eating popcorn is that bits of hull and so on tend to become lodged between one's teeth, and serve as a distraction during the movie.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a container for holding a serving of popcorn, said container being produced with a pocket or pockets on its outer surface to hold a napkin, a toothpick, or any other desired item.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container for a selected food product, the container being provided with one or more pockets on its inner or outer surfaces f or carrying one or more other obj ects . Such obj ects may include condiments for the food items, disposable utensils, promotional ~!;

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material, napkins, or any other item one may wish to provide to the consumer.
In a broad aspect, the present invention relates to a container for holding a food product, said container having at least a bottom panel, and side panels extending up from said bottom panel to define a first container with a hollow interior, wherein a second container including side panels and a closed bottom edge is attached to the exterior surface of said side panels, to define a space for the packaging of an item other than said food product, without impinging on the interior space of said first container.
In drawings that illustrate the present invention by way of example:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a popcorn bag embodying the present invention provided with a single pocket for holding a confection;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a popcorn bag embodying the present invention, provided with a single pocket for holding a toothpick;
2o Figure 3 is a perspective view of a single serving food bag provided with a pocket on its inner surface, for holding a toothpick; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a single serving food bag provided with a large pocket for holding promotional material.

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Referring now to the drawings, a paper bag such as a popcorn bag 1 is provided with a pocket 2, preferably but not necessarily, along its upper edge. Pocket 2 is made from a rectangular piece of paper, adhesively affixed along its side and bottom edges to the outer surface of the bag 1. The top 2a a the paper pocket is open, thereby forming a pocket, into which may be inserted a toothpick 4 or confection 3. Toothpick 4, for hygienic purposes, ought to be itself sealed in a small cellophane or paper wrapper 5. As will be seen from Figure 2, the top edge of the pocket 2 is preferably slightly below the top edge of the bag 1, and the toothpick 4 projects into the space between the top edges of the pocket 2 and bag 1. For packing and shipping purposes, it should not extend beyond the top edge of the bag 1.
Combining the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2, a second pocket may also be provided on a bag, for instance on the opposite surface, constructed in the same manner as the first, for holding a napkin, a pre-moistened hand wipe, additional popcorn seasoning, or any other desired object, so long as it is relatively flat. It will be understood that first and second pockets will be constructed from two separate pieces of paper.
Alternatively, one or both of the pockets may be a pre-formed envelope that is subsequently adhesively affixed to the container.
Alternative embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.
In Figure 4, there is shown an embodiment wherein a very wide and deep pocket 6 is provided, which may extend the entire width of the container. Such a wide and deep pocket is especially useful for holding promotional items such as coupons, schedules of upcoming events, and so on.
In Figure 3, there is illustrated an embodiment of the present invention that provides a pocket 7 on the inner surface of a bag. Placement of a pocket in this location leaves the side panels of the bag free to hold such advertising or design material as may be desired.
In another embodiment ( not illustrated ) an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a pocket having a closable upper flap. This embodiment is particularly applicable to packaging that is designed for "take-out", rather than immediate consumption. That is, with a closable flap, there is less likelihood that the contents of the pocket will be accidentally lost.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a pre-sealed envelope containing, for instance, a moist towellette is provided directly on bag 1. This embodiment finds application is ready-to-eat snacks such as popcorn which may leave an oily residue on the hands. The envelope may be attached adhesively or mechanically by any suitable means (e. g. staples).
It will be understood from the foregoing description of the present invention that the exact placement and contents of the auxiliary pocket or pockets on a container will be a matter of choice for the ultimate user. That is, it is expected that, y .."
without departing from the present invention, one may custom order virtually any pocket placement or contents - or the user may insert the contents. Moreover, the present invention is not limited to pockets on bags, whether sealed or open. The present invention extends fully to boxes, cans or any other appropriate container.
It is therefore to be understood that the examples described above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.
It is expected that numerous variants will be obvious to the person skilled in the field of container design, without any departure from the spirit of the present invention. The appended claims, properly construed, form the only limitation upon the scope of the present invention.

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Claims (7)

1. A container for holding a food product, said container having at least a bottom panel, and side panels extending up from said bottom panel to define a first container with a hollow interior, wherein a second container including side panels and a closed bottom edge is attached to the exterior surface of said side panels, to define a space for the packaging of an item other than said food product, without impinging on the interior space of said first container.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container is a bag.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second container is a bag, attached to a side panel of said first container.

4. A container as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second container is of lesser capacity than said first container.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first container is of a capacity selected for use of said first container as a single serving popcorn bag.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second container is of a capacity selected for use of said second container as a bag for a second food product.

7. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second container is of a capacity selected for use of said second container as a bag for holding a toothpick, napkin, or other utensil or similar item associated with consumption of a food product.