Patent Application
20210298501
This invention relates generally to an apparatus for dispensing the contents of a container—specifically, a lid used to seal said container combined with a utensil capable of dispensing the contents of such container.
Previously, people requiring the use of a utensil, such as a spoon, fork or knife, to extract the contents of a container had to search for the appropriate utensil. Often, a suitable, clean utensil was not readily available. For example, one might need a utensil when eating or preparing a meal at work, at a picnic or otherwise away from home.
Attempts at solving this problem in the prior art typically involved constructing the utensil from the lid itself. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,598,987; 3,931,925; 4,060,176; 4,218,010; 8,210,381; 8,695,828; 9,474,399. Other proposed solutions include storing a disposable utensil under the lid or in a compartment co-planar with the lid. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,623,632; 3,722,779; 4,036,398; 5,695,084; 5,992,667; 6,371,324; 9,884,707. However, in all of the above cases, the utensil and container are intended to be disposed of after a single use. This is not helpful when the container contains materials that would not be used or consumed on a single occasion. In particular, where the utensil is actually constructed from the lid, the container could not be resealed for storage and use at a later date.
Some prior art solutions contemplate potential reuse of the utensil. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,550,805 teaches a spoon that is part of the lid or closure; the spoon can be removed to form an opening in the lid, and then replaced to seal the lid. Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,988, which discloses a deformable container lid that can be formed into a dispensing utensil and then reformed into a container lid again. U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,212 discloses a food package that includes a concealed eating utensil that can be folded to be stored under the lid. However, these solutions suffer from several drawbacks. First, the utensils are difficult to construct or detach from the lid, and are difficult to store or reform into a lid. Where the utensil is not permanently attached to the lid (or not easily and conveniently reattachable), it is likely that after cleaning the utensil will be stored separately from the lid and container, again creating the problem of not having an appropriate utensil co-located with the container and its lid.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,645 teaches a container lid attached via a hinge to an implement designed to remove the contents of the container. The hinge allows the implement to be rotated 180° from a storage position wherein the implement lies against or in close proximity to the cover portion of the lid to an active use position wherein the implement extends out from the lid in a co-planar fashion. While this prior art solution does overcome the problems of a permanently detached utensil being stored separately from the lid and container, the device of '645 patent suffers from another problem. Namely, the length of the utensil or implement is limited to the length or diameter of the lid. This could be particularly problematic in the case of tall narrow containers; in such case, the utensil would not be long enough to reach the bottom of the container. In addition, such a lid+hinge+utensil apparatus would be difficult to clean, more costly to manufacture, and prone to breaking.
What is needed therefore is an apparatus combining a container lid and utensil for extracting the contents of the container, such that the utensil is permanently attached to the container lid or can be easily and conveniently reattached to the lid for storage with the container. It is also desirable for the utensil to be long enough to reach and extract the contents at the bottom of the container.
Another problem that is addressed by one aspect of the present invention is the difficulty in extracting certain types of food spreads from containers, such as peanut butter or other viscous spreads. Often, standard utensils such as spoons and knives cannot reach the nooks and crannies of the jar or container, leaving remnants of the spread in the jar unconsumed. A few commercial products have been developed to address this problem, such as the PB-JIFE! The Ultimate Peanut Butter Knife® spreader (BaBoy, LLC, Draper, Utah), the PBSpoon™ spoon (PBSpoon, Baltimore, Md.), the Cuisipro™ peanut butter and jelly spreader spatula (Cuisipro, Mountainside, N.J.), the Compac Mayo Knife™ (Frederick Hart Co., Inc., Tucker, Ga.), and the FlexCore® Jar Scraper (Tovolo, Seattle, Wash.). However, none of these utensils are designed or shaped to conform to a specific container, and none of these utensils are permanently attached or easily attachable to a container lid for storage.
Yet another problem that is addressed by one aspect of the present invention is that typically, utensils require cleaning after every use. This is particularly a problem when the contents of the container include a nut product or other product to which people are commonly allergic. In many households, for example, after a utensil is used to spread peanut butter, it must be cleaned thoroughly and immediately if another member of the household is allergic to peanut butter. What is needed is an apparatus for extracting the contents of a container that can be used and stored without cleaning after each use.
The present invention is not limited to containers for food or other comestibles, as many substances and materials supplied in containers require the use of a utensil for their extraction or use. In addition, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but rather includes all variations and modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the claims herein.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for dispensing the contents of a container comprising: a lid adapted to seal such container; and a utensil that is attached to said lid and is adapted to dispense said contents. The utensil can be any implement useful for extracting the contents of such container, including a knife; a brush; a spatula; a spoon; a fork; a spork; a knork; a spife; or a splayd. A spork is a combination fork and spoon; a knork is a combination knife and fork; a spife is a combination spoon and knife; and a splayd is a combination knife, spoon and fork. The brush could be a paintbrush. Preferably, the utensil is a knife.
In a preferred embodiment, the utensil is designed to be shaped to the contours of the container to which the utensil is associated so as to facilitate the easy dispensing of the container contents without excessive scraping. In one embodiment, the utensil is shaped to include a pointed protuberance (for extracting the contents from the nooks and crannies of the container. In another embodiment, the utensil has at least one flat edge to facilitate extraction of a viscous substance that sticks to the side of the container.
In a preferred embodiment, the utensil is extendible. In one embodiment, the extendible utensil, is an ejector knife. An ejector knife (sometimes referred to as a switchblade) is a type of knife with a folding or sliding blade contained in a handle. The blade can be in a closed (storage) or an open (extended) position. Typically, the blade is automatically extended and locked into its open position when a button, lever or switch is activated. The user can unlock the blade, allowing it to be folded or retracted into its closed position. Preferably, the length of the utensil, when in its fully extended configuration, is greater than the height of the container.
In another embodiment, the utensil is made from a rigid yet flexible material. When the lid is engaged with the container, the utensil can bend for easy storage inside the container. When the lid is disengaged, the utensil straightens to extended configuration for use. Preferably, the length of the utensil, when in its straightened configuration, is greater than the height of the container.
In a preferred embodiment, the utensil can be detached and reattached to said lid. Preferably, the attachment mechanism is easy to operate, and the utensil remains securely attached to the lid when in storage. There are numerous means for attaching and reattaching the utensil to the lid, including magnetic attachment, a screw mechanism, a snap-on mechanism or a sheath that is permanently attached to the lid or container.
In a preferred embodiment, the contents of the container include a comestible or food product. Examples include yogurt, ice cream, soup, chili and preserved vegetables. In a preferred embodiment, the contents include a spread or condiment. Examples of spreads include: aioli; ajvar; almond butter; amlu; jam; jelly; bean dip; biber salcas; butter; chatni; cheong; chocolate spread; chopped liver; citadel spread; clotted cream; coconut jam; cream cheese; dulce du leche; cretons; egg butter; feroce; foie gras; gianduja; guacamole; hazelnut butter; hazelnut cocoa (such as Nutella® sweetened hazelnut cocoa spread, which is manufactured by Ferrero SpA (Italy)); honey; hummus; kartoffelkäse; kyopolou; Ijutenica; manjar blanco; manteca colorá; maple butter; margarine; marshmallow crème; mint jelly; moambe; mayonnaise; palm butter; pâté; pesto; pimento cheese; peabutter; pindjur; remoulade; rilettes; schmaltz; sunflower butter; sirop de liège; tahini; tapenade; tartar sauce; and zacusc{hacek over (a)}. Spreads may include combinations of ingredients in various proportions and various ratios.
In a preferred embodiment, the contents of the container comprise a nut spread. Examples of nut spreads include: acorn butter; almond butter; cashew butter; hazelnut butter; macadamia nut butter; peanut butter; pecan butter; pistachio butter; pumpkin seed butter; sesame seed butter; soybean butter; sunflower seed butter; or walnut butter. Most preferably, the nut spread is peanut butter.
The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the subject application is not limited to the precise arrangements and examples shown.
The present invention relates to a combination lid and utensil. As shown in
The lid 2 should be designed to attach to the mouth of the container 1 with sufficient security as to seal in the contents to maintain the freshness of said contents by protecting the contents from the environment. The lid 2 can be made from various materials, including polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), bamboo, silicone or metal. Commonly, metal lids are made from stainless steel. The lid 2 can also be made from two or more different materials, such as plastic and silicone.
Many lids 2 are made from, or coated with, bisphenol A (BPA), a diphenyl-methane derivative. BPA is a precursor to many plastics, including certain polycarbonates, epoxy resins and polysulfones. BPA-derived plastic is clear and tough; because of its superior properties as a material, BPA-based plastic is frequently used in water bottles, baby bottles and food storage containers. A significant drawback to BPA, especially in any uses for food storage containers, is the potential health risk. BPA is a xenoestrogen, which mimics estrogen. Many governments have banned the use of BPA-based materials. Some companies, such as Tupperware, have announced that they will no longer use BPA for any products sold in the United States.
Preferably, the lid 2 and container 1 of the present invention does not contain BPA. Common substitutes include bisphenol S (BPS) and diphenyl sulfone. However, health concerns have been raised about these substitutes as well. Preferably, if a plastic material is used to manufacture either the lid 2 or container 1, it should be an acetal copolymer, such as polyoxymethylene.
The lid 2 should be sized to fit the mouth of the container 1. Standard sizes for commercial lids range from 5 mm to 2070 mm in diameter. Preferably, the diameter should be between 24 mm and 135 mm. Most preferably, the diameter should be between 70 mm and 120 mm. The diameter is measured from the inside of the lid 2.
In one embodiment, the lid 2 is made from high quality 304 or 316 stainless steel with a food-grade silicone gasket (in order to create a tighter seal). In another embodiment, the lid 2 is ribbed and made of polypropylene with an induction cap sealing system (to create an airtight seal to help ensure product freshness).
Preferably, lid the 2 and the utensil 5 are manufactured using an injection molding process (or die-cast process if the lid 2 is made from metal). Typically, injection molding consists of the high pressure injection of a raw material into a mold, which shapes the material into the desired form. Molds may consist of a single cavity or multiple cavities. With conventional injection molding, granular plastic or another material is fed by a forced ram from a hopper into a heated barrel. As the granules are slowly moved forward by a screw-type plunger, the material is forced into a heated chamber, where it is melted. As the plunger advances, the melted material is forced through a nozzle that rests against the mold, allowing it to enter the mold cavity through a gate and runner system. The mold remains cold so the material solidifies almost as soon as the mold is filled.
While the above explanation describes a conventional injection molding process, there are many variations known in the art, including but not limited to thin-wall injection molding, reaction injection molding, metal injection molding and liquid silicone rubber injection molding. A person of ordinary skill in the art would be familiar with these various injection molding processes, as well as with any standard manufacturing methods, and would have the skill to select a suitable manufacturing method for making the lid 2 or utensil 5.
There are numerous means for securing the lid 2 to the container 1. For example, the lid 2 can be a screw closure, which is a mechanical device that can be screwed on and off of a threaded “finish” on the container 1. Either continuous threads (CT) or lugs are used. Such lids can be either preformed or rolled on after application. Typically, such lids are made from metal or plastic caps (such as a molded polymer). Some screw closures have multiple pieces. For example, a mason jar often has a lid with a built-in rubbery seal and a separate threaded ring or band.
Another type of lid 2 is a crown cap, which is a shallow metal cap that is crimped into locking position around the head of the container 1. Beverage bottles are frequently closed with crown beverage caps. Another type of lid 2 is a snap-on closure, which is designed to pry off or break off. Yet another type of lid 2 is an interference fit or friction fit closure. For example, many paint cans have friction fit plugs.
Often, lids can be held in place with another structure such as a hinge, shrink bands or shrink-wrap plastic. For example, the lids of Weck jars (Weck Corp., Crystal Lake, Ill.) are held in place by stainless steel clips.
Preferably, the lid 2 should have the ability to adjust to slight manufacturing variations in the container 1 structure and size changes due to changes in temperature. Preferably, the lid 2 should be made from a flexible material, such as a deformable plastic to allow the lid 2 to maintain a seal despite small differences in size or structure. Often an O-ring or a closure liner (e.g., gasket made of pulp or foam cap liner) is used to provide a secondary seal.
Secondary seals are common, especially with products that may deteriorate. Examples of secondary seals include foil or plastic inner seals, heat-sealed lidding films, and external shrink bands.
In a preferred embodiment, the lid 2 and container 1 are designed to be temper resistant or temper evident. In another embodiment, the lid 2 and container 1 are child resistant. Preferably, the lid 2 and container 1 are dishwasher safe.
In one embodiment, the utensil 5 is permanently attached to the lid 2. Preferably, the utensil 5 is attached to the bottom of the lid 2 such that it is oriented to face down into the cavity of the container 1 when the lid 2 is engaged with the container 1. Preferably, the utensil 5 is attached so that it is substantially perpendicular to the face of the lid 2. In another embodiment, the utensil 5 can detached from the lid 2 and easily and securely reattached to the lid 2 for storage. In the embodiments depicted in the figures, the utensil 5 is stored inside the container 1.
Notably, one advantage of having the utensil 5 attached to the lid 2 and stored inside the container 1 is that the utensil 5 can be stored and then reused without cleaning. This is particularly an advantage when the utensil 5 is used to extract and dispense a very viscous, sticky material such as peanut butter or another nut spread, as these spreads are difficult to clean off the utensil 5. Moreover, if a member of the household has a nut allergy, allowing the utensil 5 to be stored after use without cleaning is a significant advantage, as failure to immediately and thoroughly clean the utensil 5 after every use could expose that household member to a serious health risk (unless the utensil 5 can be safely stored away without cleaning).
The utensil can be any type of utensil that is useful for extracting the contents of the container 1. For example, the utensil 5 may be a knife; a brush; a spatula; a spoon; a fork; a spork; a knork; a spife; or a splayd.
Preferably, the utensil 5 has an angled edge 7 at the end opposite the point for attachment to the lid 2. The angled edge 7 is useful for scraping contents that adhere to the side wall of the container. Preferably, the utensil 5 also has a protuberance designed to scrape contents from crevices and nooks in the side wall of the container 1.
The utensil 5 may be made of the same or a different material than the lid 2. As noted above, the utensil 5 may be made from common materials such as PP, HDPE, LDPE, PVC, PET, bamboo, silicone or metal (such as stainless steel). In certain embodiments, the utensil 5 made be made from several different materials, such as silicone and plastic. Preferably, the utensil 5 is not made from BPA, BPS or diphenyl sulfone. Preferably, the utensil 5 is made from an acetal copolymer, such as polyoxymethylene. If the lid 2 and the utensil 5 are made from the same material, the lid 2 plus utensil 5 combination can be manufactured in a single process; for example, the combination apparatus can be formed using a single mold. As noted above, the utensil 5 is preferably made using an injection molding process, as described above.
As depicted in
For the sake of brevity, all publications, including patent applications, patents, and other citations mentioned herein, are specifically and individually incorporated by reference in their entirety. Citation of any such publication, however, shall not be construed as an admission that it is prior art to the present invention.
While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the embodiments. Further, all embodiments included herein are given solely for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limitations of the present invention, as many variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This non-provisional application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Ser. No. 62/994,424, filed Mar. 25, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62994424 | Mar 2020 | US |
