US20130119091A1

US20130119091A1 - Container With Inner Movable Platform

Info

Publication number: US20130119091A1
Application number: US13/297,669
Authority: US
Inventors: Curtis Bowers, JR.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-11-16
Filing date: 2011-11-16
Publication date: 2013-05-16

Abstract

A container with movable platform comprising: a tubular body, where the tubular body extends between a top at an uppermost portion and a base at a lowermost portion; a lid fastened to the top, where the lid prevents a food product within the tubular body from spilling over the top; and a movable platform engaged within the tubular body, where the movable platform pushes up within the tubular body to continuously provide a user access to the food product as the food product is consumed through the top. To use the container with movable platform the user fills the tubular body with the movable platform with the food product, and pushes a bottom surface of the movable platform to move the movable platform up; wherein as the movable platform lifts the food product also pushes up within the tubular body.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a container for drinking or eating wherein a platform within the cup is able to move or be pushed up within the cup to enable the user to remove all contents of the cup during consumption with ease.
2. Description of Related Art
Gelatin desserts are dessert treats enjoyed by young and old alike. Today, there are a variety of different flavors to satisfy a wide range of appetites. Traditionally, the gelatin desserts are served in cups for individual servings, but may also be served in molds or as cutouts for the younger consumers. Recently, adults have taken to enjoying the gelatin snacks at parties or clubs, as alcoholic treats instead of the standard kid snack. Along with warm water, alcohol is used to form and set the gelatin. Once the gelatin hardens, alcoholic Jello shots form and provide a way for the adults to indulge in a snack and alcohol simultaneously.
Typically, the Jello shots are served in small bathroom cups or condiment cups. To consume the person must either squeeze out the contents of the cup into their mouth, swipe the edges of the cup with their finger to loosen then consume or use a spoon to remove the gelatin. Regardless of the method of consumption, gelatin is often left in the cup and the person usually ends up with sticky fingers. While the Jello shots are delicious and fun to eat, imbibers understand that along with the fruity flavor also comes a sticky mess.
Some products have been developed to address the problem of eating soft or gelatinous desserts without a utensil. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,904 by Martin Mueller discloses a frozen confection package with novelty ink stamp. The package includes a push-up bottom container wherein a stick pushes up the bottom to continuously expose the inner treat. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,611 by Robert E. Berman discloses a hand-held food package and method of use. The food package also includes a push-up bottom but savory food products may be stored within the package instead of sweet. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,829 by Martin Mueller and Richard Mueller discloses a hollow handle push-up piston for a food container. The hollow handle allows storage of a second food product.
While these food packages do allow for food consumption without a utensil, they all require use of a stick for movement of the bottom support. It would be desirable in the art to provide a food container that provides utensil free consumption. It would also be beneficial in the art to provide a food container for use without utensil that also does not include a stick for push-up activation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a container with inner movable platform, configured to include all of the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a food container that allows a user to consume a food product without requiring them to use a utensil, because a platform within the container may be pushed up as the food is consumed providing continuous access to the food.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a food container that includes a lid for additional food leakage prevention.
To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, a container with inner movable platform comprising: a tubular body, where the tubular body extends between a top at an uppermost portion and a base at a lowermost portion; a lid fastened to the top, where the lid prevents a food product within the tubular body from spilling over the top; and a movable platform engaged within the tubular body, where the movable platform pushes up within the tubular body to continuously provide a user access to the food product as the food product is consumed through the top. To use the container with movable platform the user fills the tubular body with the movable platform with the food product, and pushes a bottom surface of the movable platform to move the movable platform up; wherein as the movable platform lifts the food product also rises within the tubular body.
These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a container with inner movable platform in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a lid of a container with inner movable platform in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts a bottom view of a base of a container with inner movable platform in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a cup for drinking or eating wherein a platform within the cup is able to move or be pushed up within the cup to enable the user to remove all contents of the cup during consumption with ease. The present invention provides a container with inner movable platform to provide a user access to the entire contents of the container. The container with inner movable platform enables the user to consume their food products within the container without necessitating a spoon or other utensil. A lid may also be fastened to the top of the container to further prevent spills and leaks of the inner contents especially at parties or outdoor events. As such the container with movable platform is a convenient package for foods such as Jello shots whereby the user is more easily provided access to the very last pieces of gelatin that are typically wasted in other food containers.
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a container with inner movable platform 10 is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The container with inner movable platform 10 includes a tubular body 12. The tubular body 12 extends between a top 14 at the uppermost portion of the tubular body 12 and a base 16 at the lowermost portion. The tubular body 12 may encompass a generally cylindrical shape, a squared shape, a triangular shape or any other basic geometric shape associated with a food or beverage container. FIG. 1 illustrates the tubular body 12 in the cylindrical shape but as mentioned various other shapes may be used.
Fastened to the top 14 may be a lid 18. The lid 18 may snap-on to the top 14 or alternatively the lid 18 and top 14 may be threaded to enable a user to screw on the lid 18. The lid 18 may ensure that the contents of the container 10 do not spill or leak. The lid 18 may include a plurality of holes 20 (hereinafter holes). The holes 20 may be arranged around the periphery of the lid 18 (as shown), evenly dispersed over the entire lid 18 or simply against one side of the lid 18. The holes 20 may provide access to the contents of the container 10 while the lid 18 is in place. For example, during consumption the contents of the container with inner movable platform 10 may be pushed through the holes 20 and the user may consume the contents from atop the lid 18. This may be especially useful when consuming Jello, ice cream or yogurt, because the user is provided greater control when consuming these food products.
Within the tubular body 12 may be a movable platform 22. The movable platform 22 fits snuggly within the walls of the tubular body 12 when in a horizontal position (as shown), and may be removable as desired by the user. The movable platform 22 may slide up and down within the tubular body 12 when an external force is exerted against the top or bottom surface of the movable platform 22. For example, when the user pushes against the bottom surface of the movable platform 22 the movable platform 22 raises within the tubular body 12. Alternatively, when the user presses down against the top surface of the movable platform 22 the movable platform 22 lowers within the tubular body 12.
The top 14 and the base 16 are the same circumference to ensure that the movable platform 22 remains engaged with the walls of the tubular body 12 while raising and lowering. Also, the movable platform 22 snugly fits within the tubular body 12 to prevent the contents of the container 10 from leaking through to the base 18. The movable platform 22 may include a rubber rim around the peripheral edge to better engage the wall of the tubular body 12 and to better prevent liquids from leaking through to the base 16.
The size of the tubular body 12 may range from a small container, similar to a 2 or 3 ounce Dixie® cup, to a large food container, like a 16 or 20 ounce food bowl. The container with inner movable platform 10 may be made from a durable, freezable and/or flexible material. The material may be plastic, rubber, silicone, wax coated paper or the like.
Referring to FIG. 2 a top view of the lid 18 is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates the arrangement of the holes 20 around the edge of the lid 18, but as mentioned above various other arrangements may be embodied. The holes 20 may be large or consist of merely a single hole 20 wherein the user may utilize the hole as a mouthpiece for consumption. Alternative, the holes 20 may be small wherein none of the contents of the tubular body 12 may pass through the lid 18, and the holes 20 merely serve as air holes.
Referring to FIG. 3 a bottom view of the container with inner movable platform 10 is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The base 16 is illustrated in a circular shape. The base 16 is an opening within the tubular body 12 through which the user has access to the movable platform 22. Within the base 16 may be a lip 24 comprising a smaller circumference than the base 16. The lip 24 may ensure that the movable platform 22 does not dislodge from the tubular body 12 when at the base 16. The lip 24 also provides an access hole for the user to reach the movable platform 22.
During use, the user may first insert the movable platform 22 within the tubular body 12. Next the food product is placed within the container with inner movable platform 10, filling the tubular body 12 to a desired level. The user may then fasten the lid 18 to the top 14. For consumption, the user may eat the food product from the top 14 pushing the movable platform 22 up as the food is consumed. The user may repeatedly push up the movable platform 22 until satisfied or the food contents are diminished. The container with inner movable platform 10 enables the user to reach the food product that would usually be left as waste at the bottom of the container, therefore allowing them to extract all of the food without mess or struggle for removal. Because the base 16 is flat the user is able to rest the container with movable platform 10 atop a flat surface without worrying that the contents will spill or leak. The tubular body 12 remains upright because no actuator is necessary for sliding the movable platform 22.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container with inner movable platform comprising:

a tubular body, where said tubular body extends between a top at an uppermost portion and a base at a lowermost portion;

a lid fastened to said top, where said lid prevents a food product within said tubular body from spilling over said top; and

a movable platform engaged within said tubular body, where said movable platform pushes up within said tubular body to continuously provide a user access to said food product as said food product is consumed through said top.

2. The container with movable platform according to claim 1, wherein said lid includes a plurality of holes.

3. The container with movable platform according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of holes is arranged around a peripheral edge of said lid.

4. The container with movable platform according to claim 2, wherein said user consumes said food product through said plurality of holes.

5. The container with movable platform according to claim 1, wherein said movable platform includes a rubberized rim to better engage said walls of said tubular body.

6. The container with movable platform according to claim 1, wherein said base includes a lip, where said lip comprises a smaller circumference than said base.

7. The container with movable platform according to claim 1, wherein said tubular body comprises a cylindrical shape.

8. The container with movable platform according to claim 1, wherein said tubular body comprises a squared shape.

9. The container with movable platform according to claim 1, wherein said base is flat to enable said user to rest said tubular body atop a flat surface.

10. The container with movable platform according to claim 1, wherein said tubular body holds a volume of 3 ounces.

11. The container with movable platform according to claim 1, wherein said tubular body holds a volume of 16 ounces.

12. The container with movable platform according to claim 1, wherein said container with movable platform is made from one of at least plastic, rubber, silicone and wax coated paper.

13. A method of use for a container with movable platform comprising the steps of:

filling a tubular body with a movable platform with a food product;

pushing a bottom surface of said movable platform to move said movable platform up within said tubular body, wherein as said movable platform lifts said food product raises within said tubular body; and

consuming said food product as it extrudes from a top of said tubular body.

14. The method of use for a container with movable platform according to claim 13, further comprising the step of inserting said movable platform within said tubular body before filling said tubular body with said food product.

15. The method of use for a container with movable platform according to claim 13, further comprising the step of fastening a lid to said top of said tubular body after said food product is filled.

16. The method of use for a container with movable platform according to claim 15, further comprising the step of consuming said food product through a plurality of holes arranged on said lid.