FOOD HOLDER APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

An apparatus for handling and consuming a food product that is frequently hand-held during consumption. The apparatus is particularly, but not exclusively, useful for wrapped or rolled food products. The holder for a food product includes a container connected to a flexible belt with a fastening mechanism. A food product can be placed into the container. The belt can be wrapped around the food product contained within the container, with the belt wrapping around the outside of the container. The belt can then be fastened to the outside of the container, securing the food product within the apparatus.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a continuation in part of and claims the priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/781,071 titled “FOOD HOLDER”, filed on Apr. 28, 2021.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to devices that improve the holding, handling, consumption and assembly of food products, particularly, wrapped or rolled food products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wrapped or rolled food products can be difficult to hold, handle and consume. A wrap can lose its shape and unravel from the sides or bottom. Handling and consumption can be messy due to dripping, unravelling and contents falling out. Wraps must be held continuously. Putting a wrap down will result in the food product unravelling.

Children in particular, but not exclusively, are prone to difficulties with handling and consuming wraps. They do not have the patience or dexterity to hold the wrap continuously, frequently putting it down. They play with their food causing the wrap to unravel even more. If the wrap is encased in aluminum foil or similar, they do not have the dexterity to properly roll down the foil while leaving it securely wrapped around the food.

Furthermore, wrapped food products are difficult to assemble. Creating a proper wrap requires knowledge of specific techniques, dexterity, and experience. Some wrap or flatbread types are not tacky enough to maintain their hold and unravel quickly. The margin of error for creating a secure wrap is small, and even well-made wraps will still be subject to the previously mentioned difficulties.

For the reasons above, a product that addresses one or more of these difficulties is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses an apparatus for assembling, handling, and consuming a wrapped food item. The general aspects of this apparatus, in at least one embodiment, are a container, a belt and a fastening mechanism. A wrap food item is placed into the container. The belt is wrapped around the food item and secured onto the other side of the container. When secured around a wrap, the apparatus helps the wrap maintain its shape and prevent the wrap from unravelling. The apparatus acts as a harness for the food item, keeping the food item intact while exposing the food item for consumption. The apparatus can be flexible and adjustable to accommodate different sizes of wraps.

An object of this invention is to provide a food holder that secures the wrapped food product, keeps the wrap in its shape, allows the wrap to be put down and picked up repeatedly, and prevents the wrap from unraveling. Another object of this invention is that it can be adjustable to accommodate various wrap sizes, lengths and circumferences. Still another object of this invention is to facilitate the creation of a wrapped food item.

This invention, in at least one embodiment, is particularly, but not exclusively, useful for wrapped or rolled food products. Embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus that improves the assembly, handling, and consumption of a wrap food product. A wrap sandwich, burrito or similar is a food product with an edible wrap that is used to envelope and contain various fillings. Typically, the wrap is folded or rolled around the fillings, creating a generally cylindrical shape. It is also possible to close or contain the ends of a wrap; closing an end can be done on one end, both ends, or neither end. Examples of wraps include, but are not limited to, tortilla wraps, burritos, flatbreads, rice paper wraps, lettuce wraps, sandwich wraps, hot dogs, etc.—any edible food item with shape and material that can be folded around other fillings. Wraps can be made in many different sizes, lengths and circumferences. For clarity and convenience, the disclosure may occasionally refer to a wrap or burrito in examples. However, this disclosure is not limited to wraps that are burritos, nor is it limited to wraps in general and can apply to other food products.

Different embodiments of the apparatus may use different materials and combinations of materials to make the apparatus and the components thereof described in the Figures and below description. Those materials may include, but are not limited to, food grade silicone or plastics. Those materials may have different degrees of elasticity. The embodiments of the apparatus may also include other properties such as being dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe and oven-safe.

It is contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure that different embodiments of the apparatus may rearrange or reposition the different features or components. For example, the position and angle that the belt connects to the container can be changed. In one embodiment, the container can be repositioned in relation to the band so that the container is in the middle of the band, resulting in two bands or band portions emerging from either side of the container and the fastening mechanism implemented on the bands instead of the container. This embodiment and other embodiments can also fulfill the objects, aspects and operations of this invention and are considered to pertain to this invention.

The scale, size, thickness and proportions of the apparatus may vary depending on the embodiment. Various parts or features of the apparatus can have their topology changed, stretched or deformed. In one embodiment, the container is described as a partial cup portion. However in other embodiments, the container can be in any shape or configuration that enables the function of receiving a food item, for example taller or shorter, cylindrical or another shape, etc.. In another example, the bottom surface of the container can be smaller, larger, or form a different shape. These different embodiments are considered to pertain to this invention.

One or more of the embodiments of the present invention allow for easier assembly of wraps by compensating for some of the difficulties in ensuring a secure wrapped or rolled tortilla. The method comprises placing the wrapped food item into the apparatus, securing the food in the container with the belt portion. The tension applied by the apparatus to the wrap thereby reduces the chance of the wrap unraveling and increases the margin of error in the wrapping technique. The dimensions of the apparatus and the adjustability and flexibility of the belt portion is selected so that the wrapped food item is held together securely when placed in the food holder device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The elements in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles and defining features and functionality of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in a rolled state wrapped around a bottom of a rolled tortilla of a wrap-sandwich, burrito, or other food item, with a filling shown within the rolled tortilla;

FIG. 2 is a top, front, and right side perspective view of the food holder of FIG. 1, in an unrolled, flat state;

FIG. 3 is a bottom, rear, and left side perspective view of the food holder of FIG. 1, in the unrolled, flat state;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the food holder of FIG. 1 in the unrolled, flat state;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the food holder of FIG. 1 in the unrolled, flat state;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the food holder of FIG. 1 in the unrolled, flat state;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the food holder of FIG. 1 in the unrolled, flat state;

FIG. 8 is a left side elevational view of the food holder of FIG. 1 in the unrolled, flat state; and

FIG. 9 is a right side elevational view of the food holder of FIG. 1 in the unrolled, flat state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific example embodiments. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food holder 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in a rolled state wrapped around a bottom of a rolled tortilla 102 of a burrito 100, with a filling 104 shown within the rolled tortilla 102. While a burrito may be described as being shown in FIG. 1, one or more embodiments of the present invention apply to any wrap, tortilla or flatbread type rolled food.

FIG. 2 is a top, front, and right side perspective view of the food holder 1 of FIG. 1, in an unrolled, flat state. FIG. 3 is a bottom, rear, and left side perspective view of the food holder of FIG. 1, in the unrolled, flat state. FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the food holder 1 of FIG. 1 in the unrolled, flat state. FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the food holder 1 of FIG. 1 in the unrolled, flat state. FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the food holder 1 of FIG. 1 in the unrolled, flat state. FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the food holder 1 of FIG. 1 in the unrolled, flat state. FIG. 8 is a left side elevational view of the food holder 1 of FIG. 1 in the unrolled, flat state. FIG. 9 is a right side elevational view of the food holder 1 of FIG. 1 in the unrolled, flat state.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, the food holder 1 includes a container 2 and a belt portion 4. The container portion 2 includes a button of flange 2b, attached by a stem 2c to an outward curved or convex surface 2a as shown, for example, in FIG. 2. The container portion 2 further includes a bottom surface 2d as shown in FIG. 2. The container portion further includes an inward curved or concave surface 2f as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, these are perspective views of the interior of the food holder. The interior of container 2 is shown in these figures as a partial-cup portion being generally cylindrical, inward curved or concave surface with a bottom support. The interior of container 2 is where the bottom of a burrito or wrap would be placed in operation of the apparatus. The container 2 may be referred to in different embodiments as a partial-cup portion, harness, receptacle or cavity.

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, these are perspective views of the exterior of the food holder. The exterior of container 2 is shown in these figures as an outward curved or convex surface.

The belt portion 4 includes a belt or strap 6 with a plurality of openings 8 shown in FIG. 2. The plurality of openings may include openings 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, and 8f shown in FIG. 2. The food holder is adjustable and can accommodate various shapes, dimensions and circumferences of food items. As demonstrated in FIGS. 1-9, the belt portion 4 and the plurality of holes 8 allows the food holder to secure food items of various sizes. The container portion 2 and the bottom surface 2d can be flexible to accommodate food items of various shapes and sizes, and it can conform to the shape of the food item.

The belt portion 4 is shown in FIG. 9 extending from the container portion 2 in a way that is a continuation of the diameter of the half-circle of the container portion. However, the belt portion 4 can extend from the container portion 2 at any angle, such as in a tangent that is perpendicular to the diameter, or in other words, a continuation of the circle of the container portion, which would allow the belt to be a smooth non-creased extension of the container portion.

The container portion 2 further includes a bottom surface 2d as shown in FIG. 2. This bottom surface is referred to by 2d from the exterior side of the food holder as shown in FIG. 2. The bottom surface is referred to by 2g from the interior side of the food holder container as shown in FIG. 3. This bottom support or surface 2g is intended to keep the food item in place and prevent the food item from slipping down. The bottom support or surface 2g is also intended to assist in keeping the bottom contents of the food items secure and assembled, preventing them from falling out or leaking. This surface can be flat and semicircular as shown, but it could also be any shape that provides support for the bottom of the food item, such as flat, curved, spherical or conical, as well as semi-circular or fully-circular.

The container portion 2 includes a mechanism to connect and hold the belt portion. The drawings illustrate this mechanism as a button of flange 2b, attached by a stem 2c to an outward curved or convex surface 2a as shown, for example, in FIG. 2. However, this mechanism can be any such as including a button, hook, latch, magnetic, tension-based, hook-and-loop (Velcro (trademarked)), zip-tie also known as cable-tie, or any mechanism that can securely hold the belt portion so that the belt and container portion can hold a food item. If the mechanism is a button, the button can be of any shape including but not limited to: circular, rectangular, T-shaped, or hook-like. The openings 8 as shown in FIG. 2 are intended to be used in coordination with such a mechanism, through which a button or similar mechanism is meant to be fastened into.

In operation, a bottom portion of a food, such as a wrap or burrito, is placed into the container portion 2 so that it sits on the bottom surface 2g shown in FIG. 3. The strap 6 of the belt portion is then wrapped around the perimeter of the bottom portion of the food, as shown by FIG. 1, and the button 2b in inserted through one of the openings 8, such as one of openings 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, and 8e. For example, in FIG. 1, the button, flange or protrusion 2b has been inserted through the opening 8e. The strap 6 of the belt portion 4 is typically made of an elastic, stretchable material, so that the opening 8e is forced to expand by the button 2b (which has a larger diameter than the opening 8e), allowing button 2b to be forced through the opening 8e, and into the position shown in FIG. 1.

In the position of FIG. 1, the button 2b is not in the opening 8e, but has been forced through the opening 8e, so that the stem 2c, or a portion of the stem 2c sits in the opening 8e. Thus the belt or strap 6 of the belt portion 4 is held in a rolled state, orientation, and position as shown in FIG. 1, by the button 2b, until and unless, force is applied to cause the opening 8e to expand to allow the button 2b to go back through the opening 8e. The button 2b can be forced through any of the openings 8a-8f, to adjust to different size foods, such as different size wraps or burritos to be held.

The openings 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, and 8f can be of any size or shape, and can require force to push a button 2b through. Generally, a “force to expand” is not required but may be an option. For example, the openings can be larger than the button 2b and differently shaped than the button 2b so the directionality or tension keeps the button secured and fastened. There can also be any number of openings as required by the type of mechanism and intended sizes of food items to accommodate.

In FIG. 2, the container portion 2 illustrates a flange or rim 2e. In FIG. 3, the interior of the container 2 illustrates a flange 2h. Such flanges, rims, or texturing/ribbing can be included for structural reasons to improve durability or performance of the food holder during manufacturing or operation. Texturing or ribbing can also improve the ability of the food holder to grip the food item, and also could help users to hold the food holder in their hands. Such flanges, rims, texturing or ribbing can also depend on factors such as manufacturing, materials, aesthetics and operation of the food holder. Such rims, flanges, ribbing or texturing can be added to various edges or surfaces of the food holder. Rims, flanges, ribbing or texturing can be of various thickness and lengths, from a subtle texturing/embossing to more pronounced ribbing or flanges. These flanges are optional and are not limited to the location, quantity and illustration of this embodiment. It is demonstrated in FIGS. 1-9 on the bottom edge 2e of container portion 2, as well as on the top of the interior of container portion 2 in flange 2h, but can also be on any portion of the container 2 (inside or outside), or on the band 4, or on any part of the inside or outside surfaces, or edges.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a belt portion having a first end and an opposing second end; anda container portion attached to the belt portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container portion is attached to the first end of the belt portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container portion includes a cavity configured to accommodate a food item.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the belt portion includes a strap having a first attachment device; andthe container portion includes a second attachment device which is configured to attach to the first attachment device of the belt portion to attach a section of the belt portion between the first end and the opposing second end to the container portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first attachment device is an opening in the strap; andthe second attachment device is a protrusion for inserting through the opening of the strap.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the container includes a bottom surface, and a peripheral wall.

7.The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the peripheral wall has a substantially semicircular shape.

8. A method comprising inserting a food item into a container portion of an apparatus; andwherein the apparatus includes the container portion and a belt portion; andwherein the belt portion includes a second end which opposes the first end.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising attaching a first attachment device of the belt portion to a second attachment device of the container portion to attach a section of a belt portion to the container portion, while the first end of the belt portion is attached to the container portion; andwherein the section is between the first end and the opposing second end.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the container portion includes a cavity that is configured to accommodate the food item.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the first attachment device is an opening in the strap;the second attachment device is a protrusion for inserting through the opening of the strap.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the container includes a bottom surface, and a peripheral wall.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the peripheral wall has a substantially semicircular shape.