WO2011011810A1 - A dispenser for a food container - Google Patents

A dispenser for a food container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2011011810A1
WO2011011810A1 PCT/AU2009/001681 AU2009001681W WO2011011810A1 WO 2011011810 A1 WO2011011810 A1 WO 2011011810A1 AU 2009001681 W AU2009001681 W AU 2009001681W WO 2011011810 A1 WO2011011810 A1 WO 2011011810A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
dispenser
food
platform
stem
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2009/001681
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Glover
Original Assignee
Peter Glover
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
Priority claimed from AU2009903595A external-priority patent/AU2009903595A0/en
Priority claimed from AU2009101189A external-priority patent/AU2009101189A4/en
Application filed by Peter Glover filed Critical Peter Glover
Publication of WO2011011810A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011011810A1/en

Links

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
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/0005—Containers or packages provided with a piston or with a movable bottom or partition having approximately the same section as the container
    • B65D83/005—Containers or packages provided with a piston or with a movable bottom or partition having approximately the same section as the container the piston or movable bottom being pulled upwards to dispense the contents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K39/00—Feeding or drinking appliances for poultry or other birds
    • A01K39/01—Feeding devices, e.g. chainfeeders
    • A01K39/012—Feeding devices, e.g. chainfeeders filling automatically, e.g. by gravity from a reserve
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K5/00—Feeding devices for stock or game ; Feeding wagons; Feeding stacks
    • A01K5/02—Automatic devices
    • A01K5/0225—Gravity replenishment from a reserve, e.g. a hopper

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to dispensers for food containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to dispensers for moist pet food in metal containers.
  • Food containers often require the use of utensils to remove moist food from them.
  • the food can sometimes be difficult to remove because of the depth and narrowness of long containers.
  • Dispensers for food containers are known in the art, such as the dispensers disclosed in Great Britain Patent No. 369290 and United States Patent No. 2958440. However, a significant problem with these dispensers is that they are difficult to lift because the moist pet food creates suction within the container.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a dispenser for a food container which substantially ameliorates some of the stated deficiencies of the prior art.
  • a dispenser for a food container comprising
  • a platform having an aperture located beneath the or each hollow stem with its aperture in air communication with the opening at the lower end of the one or more hollow stems, the platform adapted to support the food of the container and,
  • the arrangement being such that a passage for air is created between the opening at the upper end of the one or more hollow stems and the underside of the platform so as to facilitate the withdrawal of the body and any food supported thereon from the container.
  • a dispenser for a food container comprising
  • handle is adapted to be removably attached to the body, the arrangement being such that a user may attach the handle to the body to draw food out of the container without coming into contact with the food in the container.
  • a container comprising
  • a platform having an aperture located beneath the or each hollow stem with its aperture in air communication with the opening at the lower end of the or each stem, the platform adapted to support the food of the container and, the arrangement being such that a passage for air is created between the opening at the upper end of the or each stem and the underside of the platform so as to facilitate the withdrawal of the body from the container.
  • a method of dispensing food from a container comprising the following steps:
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a first
  • Fig. 2 is a side view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 3 is a side section view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a dispenser
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the base of the dispenser of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 in use
  • Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a fourth
  • Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a screw and nut of the dispenser of Fig. 8;
  • Fig, 10 is another perspective view of the screw and nut of the
  • Fig. 11 is perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 8 in use
  • Fig. 12 is a close up view of the dispenser of Fig. 11 ;
  • Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a fifth
  • FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 13, in an expanded state;
  • Fig. 18 is a close up view of the top of the dispenser of Fig. 17.
  • Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the underside of the dispenser of Fig.
  • Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 21 is a side view of the dispenser of Fig. 20.
  • Fig. 22 is another perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 20.
  • Fig. 23 is a close up view of a first embodiment of a sealing means.
  • Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 20.
  • Fig. 25 is a close up view of a second embodiment of a sealing means in a closed state.
  • Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 20.
  • Fig. 27 is a close up view of the second embodiment of a sealing means in an open state.
  • a dispenser 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 1.
  • the dispenser 10 includes a body 12 having a stem 14 and a platform 16.
  • the stem 14 includes an air passage which is created by a ho ⁇ ow rod 18 inserted into a hole 20 in the bottom of the platform 16 (see Fig. 6).
  • the rod 18 comprises a horizontal channel 22 at the top of the rod 18 which connects to a vertical channel 24 running the length of the rod 18 ⁇ see the section view of the dispenser 10 in Fig. 3).
  • the air passage prevents the creation of suction (a zone of less than atmospheric pressure) between the pet food 26 at the bottom of the container 28 and the inside bottom of the container 28. In many instances, this suction is sufficient to prevent the food 26 from falling out of the container 28 when the container 28 is opened and held upside down.
  • the dispenser 10 equalises the pressure by the introduction of air into the bottom of the container 28, thereby allowing the food 26 to be more easiiy extracted. It has been found by the inventor that the suction significantly impedes the operation of prior art dispensers, such as the dispensers disclosed in Great Britain Patent No.
  • the pet food industry practice is to cook the pet food 26 within the sealed container 28.
  • the dispenser 10 must be placed within the container 28 before the food 26.
  • the dispenser 10 remains within the food as it is cooked within the container 28.
  • the body 12 of the dispenser 10 is equal to or less than the height of the container 28, so that the body 12 may be sealed within the container 28.
  • the top of the rod 18 sits flush with the top of the stem so that the channel 22 does not become blocked by food 26 as the food 26 is poured into the container 28.
  • the dispenser 10 is made from plastic because of its cheapness to manufacture and durability.
  • the plastic should also be heat resistant so as to enable the dispenser 10 to withstand the temperature within the container 28 while the food 26 is cooked within the container 28.
  • the dispenser 10 may also be made of metal.
  • the rod 18 features a platform 31 (see Fig. 3) which engages with the base of the stem 14, enabling a user to lift the stem 14 and thereby the platform 16 to dispense the food 26 from the container 28.
  • the handle 30 illustrated in figures takes the form of a dog bone, but could be shaped in any form which allows the handle to be used to lift the rod 18 without the user's hand coming into contact with the moist pet food.
  • the handle 30 could be removably affixed, by glue or otherwise, to the lid (not shown) of the sealed container 28. By keeping the handle 30 separate from the stem 14 it further prevents the food 26 from coming into contact with the hand of the user (not shown).
  • Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention which includes means for opening an air passage.
  • the stem 32 shown emerging from the food 26 within the container 28 in Fig. 4, has a flap 34 connected to a ring 36 which is adapted to engage the hook 29 on the handle 30.
  • One side of the flap 34 is connected to the stem 32 so that the body 12 may be lifted out of the container 28.
  • a flap 36 is connected at two sections along the rim of the stem 38, so that when a user lifts the handle 30 connected to the ring 41 , air passages are opened at the sections 40 and 42 which are not joined to the stem 38.
  • Fig. 6 shows the platform 16 of the dispenser 10.
  • the platform 16 has a rim 44 which, in use, rests on the inside base of the container 28.
  • the platform has a sloping annulus section 46 between the rim 44 and the stem 14, which creates a cavity that minimises the surface area of the platform 16 in contact with the base of the container 28 and thereby the potential suction force created between the underside of the platform 16 and the base of the container 28.
  • the platform 16 also features a ring 48 which can be hooked onto the handle 30 to remove the body 12 of the dispenser 10 from the food 26 placed in a bowl 50, as shown in Fig. 7.
  • the platform 16 In order to support the food 26, the platform 16 should extend to the cylindricai sidewai! 54 of the container 28. However, the lip 56 makes the opening of the container 28 narrower than the cylindrical sidewall 54 (see Fig. 4). Hence, the platform 16 has a deformable flange 52 (see Fig. 6) which is cut into sections which bend upwardly against the lip 56 of the container 28 when the body 12 is inserted into the container 28. The flange 52 of the rim 44 is then able to support the food 26 and substantially prevent the food 26 from passing underneath the platform 16.
  • the rim 44 could be made of a unitary, flexible section of plastic (not shown), so that the rim 44 is adapted to bend around the lip 52 and then abut the inside of the cylindrical sidewa ⁇ 54 of the container 28.
  • the dispenser 60 has a body 62 comprising a platform 64 and a hollow stem 66.
  • the body 62 also features a screw 68 (see Figs. 9 and 10) which is inserted into the hollow stem 66 via a hole in the base of the dispenser 62 (see the hole 20 in Fig. 6, for instance).
  • the screw 68 has a base 70 which is wider than the shank 72 which has a threaded portion 74.
  • the shank 72 is able to pass through a hole 76 (see Figs. 11 and 12) at the top of the stem 66, but the base 70 of the screw 68 abuts against the rim of the stem 66.
  • the threaded portion 74 of the screw 68 engages with a nut 78 ⁇ see Figs. 9 and 10).
  • the nut 78 has ridges 80 around its circumference to enable a user to grip and twist the nut 78 onto the threaded portion 74 of the screw 68.
  • the nut 78 also features a ring 82 to engage with the hook 29 on the handle 30 (see Figs. 9 to 13).
  • FIG. 13 A fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 13 to 15.
  • the dispenser 90 has hollow stem 92 and platform 94 similar to the previous embodiments, but the top of the stem 92 has a concertina section 96 which is retracted (see Fig. 13) when the food 26 is poured onto the dispenser 90, and expanded (see Figs. 14 and 15) when engaged with the hook 29 on the handle 30, revealing a horizontal shaft 100 connected to the hollow stem 92 which creates an air passage sufficient to release the suction between the platform 94 and the base of the container 102.
  • FIG. 16 An alternative embodiment of the base 104 of the platform 94 is shown in Fig. 16, wherein the base 104 has a bowl-shaped void 106 surrounding the entrance 108 to the hollow stem 92.
  • the void 106 has a ledge 110 across it for engaging with the hook 29 on the handle 30 (see Fig. 15) to remove the stem 92 from the food 26 which is dispensed in a bowl (in a simiiar manner to the depiction in Fig. 7).
  • the base 104 of the platform 94 of the dispenser 90 is flat (aside from the upwardly sloping flange 91 ).
  • the base 104 may incorporate one or more recesses 112 and 114 to reduce the surface area of the platform 94 in contact with the base of the container 102, and thereby the potential suction force created between the platform 94 and the container 102.
  • the dispenser 116 comprises a body 118 including a hollow stem 120 having a top opening 122 (see Fig. 18) and a bottom opening 124.
  • the body 118 also has a platform 125 having an aperture 126 (see Fig. 19) located beneath the hollow stem 120 with its aperture in air communication with bottom opening 124 of the stem 120.
  • the top opening 122 of the hollow stem 120 can be opened and closed using the gate 128.
  • the gate 128 comprises a hinge 130 which is connected to an arm 132 which ends in a ring 134.
  • the ring 134 may be engaged with the hook 135 on the handle 136, which can be used to raise or lower the level of the arm 132.
  • the arm 132 has a nodule 138 located on it (see Fig. 18). When the arm 132 is in a lower position the nodule 138 blocks the top opening 122. The arm 132 is in the lower position when the body 118 is sealed within the container.
  • the lid of the container presses on the ring 134, which holds the arm 132 down so that the nodule 138 blocks the top opening 122, and thereby prevents any food within the container (not shown) from passing down the hollow stem 120.
  • the body 118 of the dispenser 116 must be equal to or less than the height of the container (not shown).
  • the nodule 138 closes the top opening 122 of hollow stem 120 while the food is being cooked within the sealed container (not shown).
  • the top side of the arm 132 prevents the food from passing down the top opening 122 of the hollow stem 120 when food is poured over the body 118, into the container (not shown).
  • a user may engage the hook 135 on the handle 136 with the ring 134 to lift the body 118 out of the container (not shown).
  • This action separates the nodule 138 from the top opening 122 and thereby creates a passage for air to the aperture 126 (see Fig. 19) located beneath the hollow stem 120 on the underside of the platform 125.
  • the air passage breaks the vacuum seal created by the moist food within the container, and thereby facilitates the withdrawal of the body 118 from the container (not shown).
  • the hoies 140 and 142 on the platform 125 may be engaged with the hook 135 on the handle 136, so that the body 118 of the dispenser 116 may be removed from the food when it is placed in a bowl, in a similar manner to that illustrated in Fig. 7.
  • Figs. 20 to 27 show other embodiments of the invention wherein the dispenser 144 has a hollow stem 146 which is positioned on the platform 148 at an off centre position, so as to avoid obstructing the passage of food being poured into the centre of the container. Further, these embodiments provide sealing means to prevent food blocking the hollow stem 146 when food is poured into the container (not shown), or when cooking the food in the container.
  • the 146 features a web 150 which connects the side of the hollow stem 146 to the platform 148.
  • the web 150 distributes the upward force applied by the user (not shown) across the platform 148 when lifting the dispenser 144 out of the container (not shown), so that the platform 148, which supports food (not shown) thereon, remains substantially level.
  • the sealing means comprises a valve 164 with four quadrant shaped valve members 166 of thin sheets of plastic which are formed by creating slits 172 in the sealed end of the hollow stem 146.
  • the valve 164 is comprised of a thin piece of plastic which is integrally formed with the hollow stem 146 during the injection moulding of the dispenser 144.
  • the valve members 166 are formed of a sufficiently thin piece of plastic such that the valve members are resiliently flexible to facilitate their opening and closing.
  • the valve 164 as shown in Fig. 25 is in a closed state with the valve members 166 abutting each other along the slits 172 thereby sealing the end of the hollow stem 146.
  • the valve 164 as shown in Fig. 27 is in its open state, where the valve members 166 are deformed by the air pressure exerted on the valve members by the air in the hollow stem 146 when in use, such that the valve members move apart from each other at the centre of the slits to form an opening 170 which allows air to pass from the hollow stem 146 to the area under the platform 148.
  • the sealing means comprises a valve 152 which has valve members 166 which in turn have flaps 168 attached to each edge of the vaive members 166, which are formed out of a resiliently flexible material.
  • the valve members can be made out of a more inflexible plastic and the flaps made out of the thinner material such that they are adapted to bend open to their open state as shown in Fig 23 to form an opening 170, when in use.
  • the stem may emerge from the platform at a non-vertical angle (that is, the stem is tilted), so as to avoid obstructing the passage of food being poured into centre of the container.
  • an air passage may be created by opening a pop-top at the top of a hollow stem.
  • the pop-top may operate in a similar manner to the pop-top featured on many sports drink bottles.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Birds (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

A dispenser (116) for a food container (88), the dispenser (116) comprising a body (118) including a hollow stem (120) having an opening (122, 124) at each end, and a platform (125) having an aperture (126) located beneath the hollow stem (120) with its aperture (126) in air communication with the opening (124) at the lower end of the stem (120), the arrangement being such that a passage for air is created between the opening (122) at the upper end of the stem (120) and the underside of the platform (125) so as to facilitate the withdrawal of the body (118) from the container (88).

Description

A DISPENSER FOR A FOOD CONTAINER
TECHNICAL FiELD
The present invention relates generally to dispensers for food containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to dispensers for moist pet food in metal containers.
BACKGROUND ART
Food containers often require the use of utensils to remove moist food from them. The food can sometimes be difficult to remove because of the depth and narrowness of long containers.
For instance, a significant amount of moist pet food often needs to be scraped from the sides of the container, to which the moist pet food readily sticks. Moist pet food on the sides of the container comes in contact with the hand of the user when scraping the last remaining portions of food from the container with a utensil. Many pet owners dislike the direct contact with moist pet food.
Dispensers for food containers are known in the art, such as the dispensers disclosed in Great Britain Patent No. 369290 and United States Patent No. 2958440. However, a significant problem with these dispensers is that they are difficult to lift because the moist pet food creates suction within the container.
Great Britain Patent No. 369290 and United States Patent No. 2958440 disclose a dispenser having a handle which is part of the stem. However, prior art dispensers have significant problems in this respect. If the handle on the stem extends over the height of the container, then the container cannot be readily sealed or resealed after opening. Whereas, if the handle on the stem is less than the height of the container, so as to enable the container to be readily sealed or resealed, then the handle comes in contact with the moist food within the container, which many users dislike.
Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a dispenser for a food container which substantially ameliorates some of the stated deficiencies of the prior art.
DiSCLOSURE OF THE INVENTiON
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispenser for a food container, the dispenser comprising
(a) a body including
(i) one or more hollow stems having an opening at each end, and
(ii) a platform having an aperture located beneath the or each hollow stem with its aperture in air communication with the opening at the lower end of the one or more hollow stems, the platform adapted to support the food of the container and,
the arrangement being such that a passage for air is created between the opening at the upper end of the one or more hollow stems and the underside of the platform so as to facilitate the withdrawal of the body and any food supported thereon from the container.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provide a dispenser for a food container, the dispenser comprising
(a) a body including
(i) a platform for supporting food within the container, and (ii) one or more stems attached to the platform; and
(b) a handle for lifting the body out of the container, wherein the
handle is adapted to be removably attached to the body, the arrangement being such that a user may attach the handle to the body to draw food out of the container without coming into contact with the food in the container.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container comprising
(a) a receptacle having an opening for receiving food,
(b) a body located within the container, the body having
(i) one or more hollow stems having an opening at each end, and
(ii) a platform having an aperture located beneath the or each hollow stem with its aperture in air communication with the opening at the lower end of the or each stem, the platform adapted to support the food of the container and, the arrangement being such that a passage for air is created between the opening at the upper end of the or each stem and the underside of the platform so as to facilitate the withdrawal of the body from the container.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of dispensing food from a container, the method comprising the following steps:
(a) inserting a handle into a hook on a dispenser, the dispenser
comprising
i. one or more hollow stem and
ii. a platform containing an aperture in air communication with the hollow stem; and
(b) raising the handle causing air to move from outside the container through the one or more hollow stems to an area underneath the platform in the container, so as to facilitate the easy removal of the food from the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a first
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a side view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 3 is a side section view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a dispenser
according to the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the base of the dispenser of Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 in use;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a screw and nut of the dispenser of Fig. 8;
Fig, 10 is another perspective view of the screw and nut of the
dispenser of Fig. 8;
Fig. 11 is perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 8 in use;
Fig. 12 is a close up view of the dispenser of Fig. 11 ;
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention, in a retracted state; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 13, in an expanded state;
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 13, in use; and Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the base of the dispenser of Fig. 13. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a dispenser
according to the present invention;
Fig. 18 is a close up view of the top of the dispenser of Fig. 17.
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the underside of the dispenser of Fig.
17.
Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention.
Fig. 21 is a side view of the dispenser of Fig. 20.
Fig. 22 is another perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 20.
Fig. 23 is a close up view of a first embodiment of a sealing means. Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 20.
Fig. 25 is a close up view of a second embodiment of a sealing means in a closed state.
Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 20.
Fig. 27 is a close up view of the second embodiment of a sealing means in an open state.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A dispenser 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 1. The dispenser 10 includes a body 12 having a stem 14 and a platform 16. The stem 14 includes an air passage which is created by a hoϋow rod 18 inserted into a hole 20 in the bottom of the platform 16 (see Fig. 6). The rod 18 comprises a horizontal channel 22 at the top of the rod 18 which connects to a vertical channel 24 running the length of the rod 18 {see the section view of the dispenser 10 in Fig. 3).
The air passage prevents the creation of suction (a zone of less than atmospheric pressure) between the pet food 26 at the bottom of the container 28 and the inside bottom of the container 28. In many instances, this suction is sufficient to prevent the food 26 from falling out of the container 28 when the container 28 is opened and held upside down. The dispenser 10 equalises the pressure by the introduction of air into the bottom of the container 28, thereby allowing the food 26 to be more easiiy extracted. It has been found by the inventor that the suction significantly impedes the operation of prior art dispensers, such as the dispensers disclosed in Great Britain Patent No.
369290 and United States Patent No. 2958440.
The pet food industry practice is to cook the pet food 26 within the sealed container 28. Thus, the dispenser 10 must be placed within the container 28 before the food 26. The dispenser 10 remains within the food as it is cooked within the container 28. Hence, the body 12 of the dispenser 10 is equal to or less than the height of the container 28, so that the body 12 may be sealed within the container 28.
The top of the rod 18 sits flush with the top of the stem so that the channel 22 does not become blocked by food 26 as the food 26 is poured into the container 28.
Typically, the dispenser 10 is made from plastic because of its cheapness to manufacture and durability. The plastic should also be heat resistant so as to enable the dispenser 10 to withstand the temperature within the container 28 while the food 26 is cooked within the container 28. The dispenser 10 may also be made of metal. When the user lifts the ring 32 on the rod 18 using a hook 29 on a handle 30 (see Figs. 1 and 2), the horizontal shaft 22 is exposed, which allows air to flow underneath the platform 16 and releases the suction created by the moist pet food 26 in the container 28.
The rod 18 features a platform 31 (see Fig. 3) which engages with the base of the stem 14, enabling a user to lift the stem 14 and thereby the platform 16 to dispense the food 26 from the container 28.
The handle 30 illustrated in figures takes the form of a dog bone, but could be shaped in any form which allows the handle to be used to lift the rod 18 without the user's hand coming into contact with the moist pet food. When retailed, the handle 30 could be removably affixed, by glue or otherwise, to the lid (not shown) of the sealed container 28. By keeping the handle 30 separate from the stem 14 it further prevents the food 26 from coming into contact with the hand of the user (not shown).
Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention which includes means for opening an air passage. The stem 32, shown emerging from the food 26 within the container 28 in Fig. 4, has a flap 34 connected to a ring 36 which is adapted to engage the hook 29 on the handle 30. One side of the flap 34 is connected to the stem 32 so that the body 12 may be lifted out of the container 28.
In a third embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 5, a flap 36 is connected at two sections along the rim of the stem 38, so that when a user lifts the handle 30 connected to the ring 41 , air passages are opened at the sections 40 and 42 which are not joined to the stem 38.
Fig. 6 shows the platform 16 of the dispenser 10. The platform 16 has a rim 44 which, in use, rests on the inside base of the container 28. The platform has a sloping annulus section 46 between the rim 44 and the stem 14, which creates a cavity that minimises the surface area of the platform 16 in contact with the base of the container 28 and thereby the potential suction force created between the underside of the platform 16 and the base of the container 28.
The platform 16 also features a ring 48 which can be hooked onto the handle 30 to remove the body 12 of the dispenser 10 from the food 26 placed in a bowl 50, as shown in Fig. 7.
In order to support the food 26, the platform 16 should extend to the cylindricai sidewai! 54 of the container 28. However, the lip 56 makes the opening of the container 28 narrower than the cylindrical sidewall 54 (see Fig. 4). Hence, the platform 16 has a deformable flange 52 (see Fig. 6) which is cut into sections which bend upwardly against the lip 56 of the container 28 when the body 12 is inserted into the container 28. The flange 52 of the rim 44 is then able to support the food 26 and substantially prevent the food 26 from passing underneath the platform 16.
Alternatively, the rim 44 could be made of a unitary, flexible section of plastic (not shown), so that the rim 44 is adapted to bend around the lip 52 and then abut the inside of the cylindrical sidewaϋ 54 of the container 28.
A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 8, The dispenser 60 has a body 62 comprising a platform 64 and a hollow stem 66. The body 62 also features a screw 68 (see Figs. 9 and 10) which is inserted into the hollow stem 66 via a hole in the base of the dispenser 62 (see the hole 20 in Fig. 6, for instance). The screw 68 has a base 70 which is wider than the shank 72 which has a threaded portion 74. The shank 72 is able to pass through a hole 76 (see Figs. 11 and 12) at the top of the stem 66, but the base 70 of the screw 68 abuts against the rim of the stem 66. The threaded portion 74 of the screw 68 engages with a nut 78 {see Figs. 9 and 10). The nut 78 has ridges 80 around its circumference to enable a user to grip and twist the nut 78 onto the threaded portion 74 of the screw 68. The nut 78 also features a ring 82 to engage with the hook 29 on the handle 30 (see Figs. 9 to 13).
When the user lifts the handle 30, the horizontal shaft 84 on the shank 72 is exposed (see Figs. 11 and 12), allowing air to pass down the vertical shaft 86 of the screw 68 and down the hollow stem 66, releasing the suction between the platform 64 and the container 88 and allowing the food 26 to be dispensed.
A fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 13 to 15. The dispenser 90 has hollow stem 92 and platform 94 similar to the previous embodiments, but the top of the stem 92 has a concertina section 96 which is retracted (see Fig. 13) when the food 26 is poured onto the dispenser 90, and expanded (see Figs. 14 and 15) when engaged with the hook 29 on the handle 30, revealing a horizontal shaft 100 connected to the hollow stem 92 which creates an air passage sufficient to release the suction between the platform 94 and the base of the container 102.
An alternative embodiment of the base 104 of the platform 94 is shown in Fig. 16, wherein the base 104 has a bowl-shaped void 106 surrounding the entrance 108 to the hollow stem 92. The void 106 has a ledge 110 across it for engaging with the hook 29 on the handle 30 (see Fig. 15) to remove the stem 92 from the food 26 which is dispensed in a bowl (in a simiiar manner to the depiction in Fig. 7). Unlike the sloping annulus section 46 of the platform 16 shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6, the base 104 of the platform 94 of the dispenser 90 is flat (aside from the upwardly sloping flange 91 ). The base 104 may incorporate one or more recesses 112 and 114 to reduce the surface area of the platform 94 in contact with the base of the container 102, and thereby the potential suction force created between the platform 94 and the container 102.
A sixth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 17 to 19. The dispenser 116 comprises a body 118 including a hollow stem 120 having a top opening 122 (see Fig. 18) and a bottom opening 124. The body 118 also has a platform 125 having an aperture 126 (see Fig. 19) located beneath the hollow stem 120 with its aperture in air communication with bottom opening 124 of the stem 120.
The top opening 122 of the hollow stem 120 can be opened and closed using the gate 128. The gate 128 comprises a hinge 130 which is connected to an arm 132 which ends in a ring 134. The ring 134 may be engaged with the hook 135 on the handle 136, which can be used to raise or lower the level of the arm 132.
The arm 132 has a nodule 138 located on it (see Fig. 18). When the arm 132 is in a lower position the nodule 138 blocks the top opening 122. The arm 132 is in the lower position when the body 118 is sealed within the container.
In use, the lid of the container (not shown) presses on the ring 134, which holds the arm 132 down so that the nodule 138 blocks the top opening 122, and thereby prevents any food within the container (not shown) from passing down the hollow stem 120. Hence, the body 118 of the dispenser 116 must be equal to or less than the height of the container (not shown). The nodule 138 closes the top opening 122 of hollow stem 120 while the food is being cooked within the sealed container (not shown).
The top side of the arm 132 prevents the food from passing down the top opening 122 of the hollow stem 120 when food is poured over the body 118, into the container (not shown). When the container (not shown) has been opened, a user may engage the hook 135 on the handle 136 with the ring 134 to lift the body 118 out of the container (not shown). This action separates the nodule 138 from the top opening 122 and thereby creates a passage for air to the aperture 126 (see Fig. 19) located beneath the hollow stem 120 on the underside of the platform 125. The air passage breaks the vacuum seal created by the moist food within the container, and thereby facilitates the withdrawal of the body 118 from the container (not shown).
The hoies 140 and 142 on the platform 125 may be engaged with the hook 135 on the handle 136, so that the body 118 of the dispenser 116 may be removed from the food when it is placed in a bowl, in a similar manner to that illustrated in Fig. 7.
Figs. 20 to 27 show other embodiments of the invention wherein the dispenser 144 has a hollow stem 146 which is positioned on the platform 148 at an off centre position, so as to avoid obstructing the passage of food being poured into the centre of the container. Further, these embodiments provide sealing means to prevent food blocking the hollow stem 146 when food is poured into the container (not shown), or when cooking the food in the container.
In each of the embodiments depicted in Figs. 20 to 27, the hollow stem
146 features a web 150 which connects the side of the hollow stem 146 to the platform 148. The web 150 distributes the upward force applied by the user (not shown) across the platform 148 when lifting the dispenser 144 out of the container (not shown), so that the platform 148, which supports food (not shown) thereon, remains substantially level.
As shown in Figs. 24, 25, 26 and 27 the sealing means comprises a valve 164 with four quadrant shaped valve members 166 of thin sheets of plastic which are formed by creating slits 172 in the sealed end of the hollow stem 146. The valve 164 is comprised of a thin piece of plastic which is integrally formed with the hollow stem 146 during the injection moulding of the dispenser 144. The valve members 166 are formed of a sufficiently thin piece of plastic such that the valve members are resiliently flexible to facilitate their opening and closing.
The valve 164 as shown in Fig. 25 is in a closed state with the valve members 166 abutting each other along the slits 172 thereby sealing the end of the hollow stem 146. The valve 164 as shown in Fig. 27 is in its open state, where the valve members 166 are deformed by the air pressure exerted on the valve members by the air in the hollow stem 146 when in use, such that the valve members move apart from each other at the centre of the slits to form an opening 170 which allows air to pass from the hollow stem 146 to the area under the platform 148.
In an alternate embodiment as shown in Figs. 22 and 23, the sealing means comprises a valve 152 which has valve members 166 which in turn have flaps 168 attached to each edge of the vaive members 166, which are formed out of a resiliently flexible material. In this embodiment the valve members can be made out of a more inflexible plastic and the flaps made out of the thinner material such that they are adapted to bend open to their open state as shown in Fig 23 to form an opening 170, when in use.
In other embodiments of the invention (not shown), the stem may emerge from the platform at a non-vertical angle (that is, the stem is tilted), so as to avoid obstructing the passage of food being poured into centre of the container.
In other embodiments of invention (not shown), an air passage may be created by opening a pop-top at the top of a hollow stem. The pop-top may operate in a similar manner to the pop-top featured on many sports drink bottles.
It will also be apparent to persons skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in details of design and construction of the dispensers, without departing from the scope or ambit of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A dispenser for a food container, the dispenser comprising
(a) a body including
(i) one or more hollow stems having an opening at each end, and
(Ii) a piatform having an aperture located beneath the or each hollow stem with its aperture in air communication with the opening at the lower end of the one or more hollow stems, the platform adapted to support the food of the container and,
the arrangement being such that a passage for air is created between the opening at the upper end of the one or more hollow stems and the underside of the platform so as to facilitate the withdrawal of the body and any food supported thereon from the container.
2. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the upper end of the one or more hoϋow stems are adapted to be opened and closed.
3. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the dispenser further
includes a handle adapted to be removably attached to the body.
4. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the opening in the platform at the lower end of each stem has sealing means which are adapted to open so as to allow the passage of air through the one or more hollow stems and are also adapted to close so as to substantially prevent food from passing into the one or more hollow stems via the opening.
5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the sealing means comprises a valve.
6. The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the handle is adapted to be removably attached to both the stem and the platform of the body.
7. The dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the height of the body of the dispenser is equal to or less than the height of the container, including any Hd of the container, so that the body may be sealed within the container.
8. The dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the body is made of a heat resistant material so that the food within the container may be cooked within the container whilst the dispenser is also within the container.
9. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more hollow
stems are positioned on the platform at an off centre position.
10. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more holiow
stems emerge from the platform at a non-vertical angle.
11. A dispenser for a food container, the dispenser comprising
(a) a body including
(i) a platform for supporting food within the container, and (ii) one or more stems attached to the platform; and
(b) a handle adapted to be removably attached to the body,
the arrangement being such that a user may attach the handle to the body to draw food out of the container without coming into contact with the food in the container.
12. A container comprising
(a) a receptacle having an opening for receiving food,
(b) a body located within the container, the body having
(i) one or more hollow stems having an opening at each end, and
(ii) a platform having an aperture located beneath the or each hollow stem with its aperture in air communication with the opening at the lower end of the or each stem, the platform adapted to support the food of the container and, the arrangement being such that a passage for air is created between the opening at the upper end of the or each stem and the underside of the platform so as to facilitate the withdrawal of the body from the container.
13. A method of dispensing food from a container, the method comprising the following steps:
(a) inserting a handle into a hook on a dispenser, the dispenser
comprising
i. one or more hollow stem and
ii. a platform containing an aperture in air communication with the hollow stem and adapted to support the food in the container; and
(b) raising the handle causing air to move from outside the container through the one or more hollow stems to an area underneath the platform in the container, so as to facilitate the easy removal of the food from the container.
PCT/AU2009/001681 2009-07-31 2009-12-22 A dispenser for a food container WO2011011810A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2009903595A AU2009903595A0 (en) 2009-07-31 A dispenser for a food container
AU2009903595 2009-07-31
AU2009904923 2009-10-09
AU2009904923A AU2009904923A0 (en) 2009-10-09 A dispenser for a food container
AU2009101189 2009-11-20
AU2009101189A AU2009101189A4 (en) 2008-11-21 2009-11-20 A dispenser for a food container

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2011011810A1 true WO2011011810A1 (en) 2011-02-03

Family

ID=43528622

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2009/001681 WO2011011810A1 (en) 2009-07-31 2009-12-22 A dispenser for a food container

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2011011810A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5626266A (en) * 1993-07-26 1997-05-06 Michelson; Gary K. Container content removal device
GB2309683A (en) * 1996-01-30 1997-08-06 Steven James Contents Removing Device
GB2353335A (en) * 1999-08-17 2001-02-21 Christopher John Jones Container discharging system
GB2442461A (en) * 2006-10-06 2008-04-09 Martin Collins Jar/vessel content extraction system.
US20080105697A1 (en) * 2006-11-08 2008-05-08 Robert Harris Bottled food basket

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5626266A (en) * 1993-07-26 1997-05-06 Michelson; Gary K. Container content removal device
GB2309683A (en) * 1996-01-30 1997-08-06 Steven James Contents Removing Device
GB2353335A (en) * 1999-08-17 2001-02-21 Christopher John Jones Container discharging system
GB2442461A (en) * 2006-10-06 2008-04-09 Martin Collins Jar/vessel content extraction system.
US20080105697A1 (en) * 2006-11-08 2008-05-08 Robert Harris Bottled food basket

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