MX2009002623A

MX2009002623A - Food product container.

Info

Publication number: MX2009002623A
Application number: MX2009002623A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Jonathan E Rathbone; Matthew R J Jackson; Thomas C Stoneberg; Ujjaini Mitra-Shah
Original assignee: Wrigley W M Jun Co
Priority date: 2006-09-08
Filing date: 2007-09-06
Publication date: 2009-03-24
Also published as: CN101511691A; WO2008030906A3; EP2106371A2; CA2662339A1; RU2009109594A; WO2008030906A2

Abstract

A food product container includes a base and a cover. the base includes an opening, a top, and a bottom. At least one wall extends between the top and the bottom to define a container volume with a height, a width, and a depth. The depth is smaller than the height and the widht. The cover is connected to the base and disposed over the opening. The cover includes a dispensing opening. A plurality of food products is disposed within the container volume. The length of the food product is greater than the depht of the container volume.

Description

FOOD PRODUCT CONTAINER BACKGROUND The present invention relates to a container for food products. Containers for food products not only hold the product, but provide a convenient and functional device for the user. The appearance and functionality of the container can be important properties. It would be useful to have a container of the right size for a user and be able to supply one or several pieces of a food product at a time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In several aspects, a container of food product is provided. The food product container is spatially adequate to supply the food product. In one aspect, a food product container includes a base and a cover. The base includes an opening, an upper part and a lower part. At least one wall extends between the top and bottom to define a container volume with a height, width and depth. The depth is less than the height and width. The cover is connected to the base and placed over the opening. The cover includes a supply opening. A plurality of food products are placed within the container volume. The length of the food product is greater than the depth of the container volume.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a container in a closed position. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 in an open position. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the base of the container of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cover of the container of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a first side sectional view of the container of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a second side section view of the container of Figure 1. Figure 7 is an elongated portion of the detail 7 of Figure 5. Figure 8A is a top view of one embodiment of a container with a food product in a first configuration.

Figure 8B is a top view of one embodiment of a container with a food product in a second configuration. Figure 8C is a top view of one embodiment of a container with a food product in a third configuration. Figure 8D is a top view of one embodiment of a container with a food product in a fourth configuration. Figure 8E is a top view of one embodiment of a container with a food product in a fifth configuration. Figure 8F is a top view of one embodiment of a container with a food product in a sixth configuration. Figure 9A is a top view of another embodiment of a container with a food product in a first configuration. Figure 9B is a top view of another embodiment of a container with a food product in a second configuration. Figure 9C is a top view of another embodiment of a container with a food product in a third configuration. Figure 9D is a top view of another embodiment of a container with a food product in a fourth configuration. Figure 9E is a top view of another embodiment of a container with a food product in a fifth configuration. Figure 9F is a top view of another embodiment of a container with a food product in a sixth configuration.

Figure 10A is a top view of one embodiment of a container opening with a food product in a first configuration. Figure 10B is a top view of one embodiment of a container opening with a food product in a second configuration. Figure 10C is a top view of one embodiment of a container opening with a food product in a third configuration. Figure 10D is a top view of one embodiment of a container opening with a food product in a fourth configuration. Figure 10E is a top view of one embodiment of a container opening with a food product in a fifth configuration. Figure 10F is a top view of one embodiment of a container opening with a food product in a sixth configuration. Figure 1 1 A is a top view of another embodiment of a container opening with a food product in a first configuration.

Figure 1 1 B is a top view of another embodiment of a container opening with a food product in a second configuration. Figure 1 1 C is a top view of another embodiment of a container opening with a food product in a third configuration. Figure 1 1 D is a top view of another embodiment of a container opening with a food product in a fourth configuration. Figure 1 1 E is a top view of another embodiment of a container opening with a food product in a fifth configuration. Figure 11 F is a top view of another embodiment of a container opening with a food product in a sixth configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is described with reference to the drawings in which like elements are mentioned with similar numbers. The relationship and operation of various elements of this invention are better understood by means of the following description. Each aspect thus defined may be combined with another aspect or aspects unless indicated clearly the opposite. The embodiments described below are only by way of example and the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. A container of food product 10 is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The product container of food product includes a base 20 and a cover 30. Figure 3 shows the base 20, including an opening an opening 22, a part upper 24, a lower part 26 and at least one wall 28 extending from the upper part 24 towards the lower part 26 to define a container volume 40. As shown in figures 5 and 6, the container volume 40 includes a height 42, a width 44 and a depth 46. The depth 46 is less than the height 42 and the width 44. The food product container 10 generally has an elongated shape. However, the form can be any number of configurations. For example, the container may be a rectangular solid, with a rectangular cross section of four vertical walls connected at right angles. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3, the ends may be smooth and rounded, with a generally oval-shaped cross section, so that there are no sharp corners. Other shapes are possible such as rectangular, round, square, circular or polygonal cross sections. The cover 30 is connected to the base 20 and placed over the opening 22. As seen in Figure 4, the cover 30 includes an opening 32. The length 33 of the supply opening 32 may be approximately half the width 44 of the container 10. A tab 34 is hinge-connected to the cover 30 and covers the supply opening 32. The hinge 35 connects the cover 30 and the first end 31 of the tongue 34 to provide movement between a closed position and an open position. The hinge 35 can be a "hinge of the same material" that is, it is formed integrally or monolithically with the cover 30 and the tongue 34. The tongue 34 can include, opposite the first end 31, an edge 36 corresponding to the shape of the supply opening 32. The edge 36 can form an interference or a quick fit with the supply opening 32 to help hold the tongue 34 in a closed position. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the extending edge 36 may engage the surface 37 of the cover 30 with the surface 37 that drives the edge 36 inward, to provide a quick fit. As shown in Figure 4, the tongue 34 may also include one or more protrusions or stops 49 positioned on the edge 36 and adapted to engage another surface 37 of the delivery opening 32 when the tongue 34 is closed. The protrusions 49 may be positioned at any location along the periphery of the edge 36. The protrusions 49 provide the tongue 34 with additional strength just before the tongue 34 closes completely. The tongue 34 preferably includes two protrusions 49 positioned on each side of the edge portion 36 opposite the hinge 35. The cover 30 may include a thin flange 29 extending from the cover 30 around the supply opening 32. The extending flange 29 provides a additional seal against the extending edge 36. Alternatively, instead of the extending flange 29, the cover 30 may include a flange (not shown) positioned around the opening 32 on the underside of the cover 30 to provide an additional seal between cover 30 and tab 34. Supply opening 32 may be oval in shape with a corresponding oval shaped edge 32. A generally oval shape of dispensing opening 32 maximizes the area of dispensing opening 32 while minimizing width of the supply opening 32. The tongue 34 may also include a flange extending 38 for easy engagement by the thumb of the user. In the closed portion, a portion of the flange 38 is against an upper surface 39 of the cover 30 with the flange 38 being accessible on the upper surface 39. The cover 30 may include other types of closures other than the tongue 34 such as a sliding cover. In one aspect of this invention, when the container 10 is held in the palm, the thumb of the same hand can enter the rim 38 so that when the tongue 34 is in a closed position it can move to an open position. With the closure, the tongue 34 may include an audible indication that the tongue 34 is engaged in a manner safe. The audible indication may be caused by the engagement of the edge 36 with the surface 37. The audible indication may also be caused by the engagement of the protuberances 49 with the surface 37. The protuberances 49 provide the tongue 34 with additional resistance resulting in an indication audible or "snap" associated with tab 34 that is completely closed. Additionally, an audible indication may be provided when the tongue 34 is open. The audible indication when closing and opening the tongue 34 may also be accompanied by a tactile "snap" caused by the protrusions 49. As shown in Figure 6, a plurality of food products 60 is within the container volume 40. As also seen in Figures 8A to 8F, the food product 60 has a length of (longest dimension) 62, a width (second longest dimension) 64 and a depth (shortest dimension) 66. The length 62 of the product of feed 60 is greater than depth 46 of the container volume. Thus, when placed inside the container, the food products 60 are placed on the volume 40. The container 10 has a relatively smaller depth 46. The ratio of the depth 46 of the container 10 to the length 62 of the food product 60 can be greater than about 0.6 and less than 1.0. The ratio of the depth 46 of the container to the width of the product 60 can be less than 2. The ratio of the depth 46 of the container to the depth of the product 60 can be between 1 to 3.15.

The cover 30 is preferably coupled to the base 20 by means of a quick adjustment. This quick adjustment can be achieved by any suitable configuration. For example, as best seen in Figures 5 to 7, the base 20 may include a ridge 52 and the cover 30 may include a channel 54. The ridge 52 extends into the channel 54 to provide rapid adjustment. The cover 30 may include an inner edge 53 and a side wall 56. The edge 53 and the side wall 56 define an opening 55. The side wall 56 extends over the top 24 of the base 20 with a portion of the top 24 and the ridge 52 positioned within the opening 55. The side wall 56 is preferably made of a compatible material to allow the cover 30 to be inserted around and into the base 20. A variety of configurations are possible for quick adjustment between the base 20 and cover 30. Ridge 52 and channel 54 may extend along the entire periphery or only in portions thereof, of base 20 and top 30 respectively. The base 20 may include two edges 52, 58 that extend around the periphery near the top 24. The upper ridge 52 acts to engage the channel 54 and the cover 30. The configuration of the ridge 52 and the channel 54 provide a good seal between the base 20 and the cover 30 and prevents the cover 30 from coming off easily. The lower ridge 58 acts as a stop for the side walls 56 of the cover 30. The ridges 52, 58 also act as a seal to protect the product 60 from moisture. The crests 52, 58 can be positioned in a level manner around the top 24 of the base 20. As shown in FIG. 3, ridges 52, 58 can also vary in the vertical location around the periphery of the base 20. It can be seen in figure 3 that the upper ridge 52 can be positioned relatively horizontally and the lower ridge 58 can be further down on the short side walls 21, 23 of the base 20 than on the long side walls 25, 27. With respect to the dimensions of the food product container 10, the container 10 is preferably configured to fit within the hand and the user's bag The oval-shaped cross section is convenient for the user's hand and bags. An oval rounded shape gives a good seal between the cover 30 and the base 20. An oval-shaped cross section or other configuration with a narrow width also allows ease of delivery since the food products 60 tend to be oriented to the suitable direction for supplying them with an oval supply opening 32. The depth 46 of the volume 40 of the container can be between approximately 10 mm and approximately 30 mm, the width 44 can be between approximately 40 mm and approximately 60 mm and the height 42 can be between approximately 60 mm and approximately 100 mm. If the base 20 is translucent, the user can see how much product 60 food is in or remains in the container 10. The food product 60 can have a length 62 of between about 15 mm and about 25 mm, a width 64 between about 10 mm and approximately 20 mm and a depth 66 between approximately 6 mm and approximately 12 mm. The volume 40 of the container can be configured to accommodate between about 20 and about 30 pieces of the food product 60. In use, the user can open the container 10 by pushing the flange 38 to open the tongue 34. The tongue 34 is formed so that it can be easily opened by hand. The food product 60 can then be supplied by flipping the container 10. The opening 32 is configured in such a way that generally only a few (about five) pieces of food product 60 can be supplied at a time. The container 10 is hygienic because the food product 60 does not need the user to touch it before supplying it. The food product 60 can be any type of food product including hard candies, soft candies, mints, rubber or rubber pellets. The length of food product 60 can be between 15 and 25 mm and is generally about 20 mm. Because the container 10 has a relatively small depth 46, only certain orientations of food product 60 within the container 10 are possible depending on the size and shape of the container 10 and the food product 60. With respect to the relationship between the food product 60 and container 10, a mode of a container 10 and a food product 60 is shown in figures 8A to 8F. The food product 60 has a length (longest dimension) 62, a width (second longest dimension) 64 and a depth (dimension shorter) 66. The interior of the container 10 has a width 44 and a depth 46. The orientation of the food product 60 within the container 10 can be expressed as the ratio between the dimensions of the product and the dimensions of the container. The container has three orthogonal directions, height direction 72, width direction 74 and depth direction 76. The height direction 72 extends between the upper part of the container 24 and the lower part 26. The width direction 76 extends between the side walls 21, 23. The depth direction 76 extends between the side walls 25, 27. In one embodiment, the width 64 and the depth 66 of the food product 60 is less than the depth 46 of the container 10 and the length of product 62 is greater than the depth 46 of container 10. Figures 8A to 8D show some possible orientations of food product 60 within container 10. In Figure 8A, the product length 62 is oriented along the width direction 74 of the container and the product width 64 along the depth direction 76 of the container. In Figure 8B, the product width 64 is oriented along the depth direction 76 of the container and the product depth 66 along the width direction 74 of the container. In Figure 8C, the product width 64 is oriented along the width direction 74 of the container and the depth of the product 66 along the depth direction 76 of the container. In Figure 8D, the product length 62 is oriented along the width direction 74 of the container and the product depth 66 along the depth direction 76 of the container. Figures 8E and 8F show impossible orientations of the food product 60 inside the container 10. Because the product length 62 is greater than the depth 46 of the container 10, the product length 60 can not be oriented along the length of the container. Depth direction 76 of container 60. Obviously, product 60 may be oriented in configurations between those shown in Figures 8A to 8F. Another embodiment of a container 70 and a food product 60 is shown in Figures 9A to 9F. The container 70 has a width 75 and a depth 77. The product depth 66 is less than the container depth 77 and the product length 62 and width 64 are greater than the container depth 77. Figures 9A and 9B show possible food product orientations 60 within the container 70. In Figure 9A, the product width 64 is oriented along the width direction 74 of the container 10 and the product depth 66 is oriented along the direction of depth 76 of the container 10. In Figure 9B, the product length 62 is oriented along the width direction 74 of the container 10 and the product depth 66 is oriented along the depth direction 76 of the container. Figures 9C to 9F show impossible orientations of the product 60 inside the container 10. Because the product length 62 and the product width 64 are greater than the depth 77 of the container 10, neither the length 62 nor the width 64 of product can be oriented with the address of depth of container 60. Product 60 may be oriented in configurations between those shown in Figures 9A to 9F. The shape and size of the opening 32 in the cover 30 may vary. Figures 10A to 10F show various orientations of a food product embodiment 60 with respect to an embodiment of the opening 32. The opening 32 may be oval in shape with a maximum length 33 and a maximum width 41. The length 62 of the food product is less than the length 33 of the opening 32, but larger than the width 41 of the opening 32. The product width 64 is less than the maximum width 41 of the opening 32. Figures 10A to 10C show possible dispensing configurations of the food product 60 of the container 10. Because the width of the product 64 is less than the width of the opening 41, the product can be adjusted through the 32 if the length of the product is oriented perpendicular to the opening 32 as shown in Figures 10B and 10C. As shown in Figure 10D, because the opening 32 is oval in shape, if the product length 62 is oriented along the direction of the opening length 33, the product 60 can not be adjusted through the opening 32. Because the product length 62 is greater than the opening width 41, if the length 62 of the product is oriented along the direction of the opening width 41, the product 60 can not be adjusted through the opening. 32 in the orientations shown in Figures 10E and 10F. Figures 1 1 A to 1 1 F show various orientations of food product 60 with respect to one embodiment of opening 43. The opening 43 is oval in shape with a maximum length 45 and a maximum width 47. The length 62 of the food product is less than the opening length 45 but greater than the opening width 47. The product width 64 is greater than the maximum width 47. from opening 43. Figures 1 1 A to 1 1 B show possible administrator configurations. Because only the product depth 66 is smaller than the opening width 47, the product 60 can only be adjusted through the opening 43 and the product depth 66 is oriented along the direction of the opening width 47. As is shown in figures 1 1 C to 1 1 F, if the length 62 or the product width 64 are oriented along the direction of the opening width 47, the product can not be adjusted through the opening 43. Because the opening 43 has few possible delivery orientations than the opening 32, it is easier to feed the food product from the opening 32 than from the opening 43. Obviously, the product 60 may be oriented in configurations between those shown in Figures 10A to 10F and 1 1 A to 1 1 F. Additionally , the openings 32, 43 may be of other shapes such as circular or rectangular, which could affect the possible supply orientations. The container 10 can be made of any suitable material. The container 10 can be made of a material that is transparent or translucent so that the container contents can be seen.

The container 10 can be made of plastic (flexible or rigid), cardboard, laminated cardboard film, film, corrugated, metal or any combination of materials. When made of plastic, the container can be made by any suitable technique including extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, rotary molding, vacuum forming, thermoforming and combinations thereof. Although this invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made and formed in detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, this is provided so that the above detailed description is illustrative rather than limiting and it should be understood that the following claims, including all equivalents, are intended to define the scope of the invention.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1 .- A container of food product comprising: a base including an opening, an upper part, a lower part and at least one wall extending between the upper part and the lower part to define a volume of container with a height, width and depth where depth is less than height and width; a cover connected to the base and placed over the opening and comprising a supply opening; and a plurality of food products placed within the container volume, wherein the food product includes a length that is greater than the depth of the container volume and a width that is less than the depth of the container volume. 2. The food product container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the cover further comprises a tongue connected by hinge to the cover and covering the supply opening. 3. The food product container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the base has a generally oval-shaped cross section. 4. - The food product container according to claim 2, further characterized in that the tongue includes an extending edge corresponding to the dispensing opening. 5. - The food product container according to claim 4, further characterized in that the tongue provides an audible indication when the tongue is in a closed position. 6. - The container of food product according to claim 4, further characterized in that the tongue comprises a flange that extends. 7. The food product container according to claim 6, further characterized in that a portion of the extending rim is on an upper surface of the cover. 8. - The container of food product according to claim 1, further characterized in that the depth is between about 10 mm and about 30 mm. 9. - The food product container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the width is between about 40 mm and about 60 mm. 10. - The container of food product according to claim 1, further characterized in that the ratio of the depth of the container to the length of the food product is greater than 0.6 and less than 1.0. 1 1 .- The food product container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the food product includes a width, and wherein the ratio of the depth of the container volume to the width of the food product is less than 2. The food product container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the length of the food product is oriented parallel to the width of the container volume. 13. - The food product container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the length of the food product is oriented parallel to the height of the container volume. 14. - The food product container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the food product includes a width, and the width of the food product is oriented parallel to the depth of the container volume. 15. The food product container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the cover is attached to the base by means of a quick adjustment. 16. - The food product container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the cover includes a side wall extending around the upper part of the base. 17. - The food product container according to claim 16, further characterized in that the base includes a ridge and The cover includes a channel where the ridge extends into the channel to provide rapid adjustment. 18. - The food product container according to claim 17, further characterized in that the cover comprises an inner edge and a coupling opening defined between the inner edge and the side wall where the upper part of the base is placed inside. of the coupling opening. 19. - The container of food product according to claim 2, further characterized in that the tongue is formed monolithically with the cover. 20. - A food product container comprising: a base including an opening, an upper part, a lower part and at least one wall extending from the upper part to the lower part to define in part a container volume wherein the base has a generally oval-shaped cross section; and a cover connected to the base and positioned over the opening, comprising: a supply opening; and a tongue hinge-connected to the cover and covering the dispensing opening where the tongue includes an extending edge corresponding to the dispensing opening. 21. The food product container according to claim 20, further characterized in that the extending edge forms an interference fit with the supply opening. 22. - The food product container according to claim 20, further characterized in that the dispensing opening is oval in shape. 23. - The food product container according to claim 20, further characterized in that the extending edge is oval in shape. 24. - The food product container according to claim 20, further characterized in that the cover is attached to the base by means of a quick adjustment. 25. The food product container according to claim 24, further characterized in that the cover includes a side wall extending around the upper part of the base. 26. - The food product container according to claim 25, further characterized in that the base includes a ridge and the cover includes a channel wherein the ridge extends into the channel to provide rapid adjustment. 27. - A method for delivering a food product from a food product container comprising: providing a food product container comprising: a base including an opening, an upper part, a lower part and at least one wall which extends from the upper part to the lower part to define in part a container volume; a cover connected to the base and placed over the opening and comprising a supply opening; and a plurality of products of food placed within the container volume, wherein the food product includes a length that is greater than the depth of the container volume and a width that is less than the depth of the container volume; and supplying at least one of the plurality of food products from the food product container through the dispensing opening.