Modified Snack Containment and Dispensing Apparatus

Description

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to ingestible containment and dispensing apparatuses, and in particular, to containment apparatuses having selective dispensing of snacks while providing spill resistance of such snacks and entertainment for the apparatus user, and methods of use thereof. Various means and devices are known in the art for storing snacks and like ingestible items, and for selectively dispensing and/or rendering availability to such snacks. However, such means and devices have typically been rendered substantially the whole of such snacks spillable or have been void of an entertainment aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain illustrative embodiments illustrating organization and method of operation, together with objects and advantages may be best understood by reference to the detailed description that follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the components of FIG. 2

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a component of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a component of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a component of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a side view of components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a side view of components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of the components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional detail view of the components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the slidable port components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the passive latch components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a stylized view of the passive latch components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus including a slidable port in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the tray with multiple-sized compartments of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

In an embodiment, a snack containment and dispensing apparatus is provided. The snack containment and dispensing apparatus includes a tray disposed including one or more pockets. A lid including one or more openings therein is connectable with the tray. The tray is configured for selective rotation relative to the lid to align one of the one or more pockets with the opening. An actuator is configured to actuate rotation of the tray.

In an embodiment, a snack containment and dispensing apparatus comprises a bowl and a lid assembly where the lid is connectable with the bowl. The lid includes at least one opening having a multi-position slidable window. A tray is disposed with the bowl and lid assembly where the tray may be inserted into bowl such that the lid may be placed over the bowl such that the lid may be placed in contact with the bowl to entirely encapsulate the tray such that the tray moves freely when the lid and bowl are placed in contact and fastened together. The tray includes multiple pockets and is configured for selective rotation relative to the bowl and lid assembly to align one of the pockets with the multi-position slidable window that forms the lid opening. A plunger button is configured to actuate rotation of the tray is provided.

In an embodiment, the instant innovation includes a snack containment and dispensing apparatus comprising a bowl, a tray having a plurality of containment compartments, and a plunger device having a lid with at least one opening therein. The apparatus is adapted such that when said plunger device is depressed, said tray indexes such that exposed access of a containment compartment is changed from a first containment compartment to a second containment compartment.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a slidable port embedded in the lid, the slidable port capable of alternately covering and/or exposing one snack compartment of a certain first predetermined size, and/or a second snack compartment of a certain second predetermined size, and/or more than one snack compartment. The variable-sized snack compartments may be designed to hold snacks of inherently different dimensions and/or to hold snacks of inherently different qualities such as, by way of non-limiting example, consistencies or nutritional values.

In an embodiment, the lid attaches to a base, thereby forming a cavity between the lid and the base. Within the cavity is contained a tray. The lid attaches to the base through application of an angled seal resulting in a pressure closure. The lid may be pried from the base using opposing linear and/or torsional forces applied to the lid and base, respectively.

Turning to FIGS. 1-11, illustrated are components of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus, such as, for example, a container system 10. Container system 10 is configured to allow access to one compartment of a tray at a time by providing for selective rotation of the tray for alignment with a slideable multi-position opening disposed in a lid.

Container system 10 includes a tray 14 configured to contain snacks S therein. Tray 14 includes a substantially round dish-shaped member. Tray 14 includes a surface 16 that defines one or a plurality of containment compartments, for example, pockets 18. Pockets 18 are separated by walls 20. Pockets 18 may include various configurations, for example, oval, oblong, triangular, square, polygonal, irregular, uniform, non-uniform, offset, staggered, and/or tapered. Pockets 18 are circumferentially disposed about a central opening 22, as shown in FIG. 2. Snacks S are disposable within pockets 18, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Walls 20 provide a separation between snacks S. Tray 14 is selectively rotatable to provide access to one or more of the pockets 18, as described herein. Tray 14 includes an outer bottom surface that defines a cavity 23.

In some embodiments, tray 14 is disposed with a bowl 24. Bowl includes an inner bottom surface that defines a protrusion, for example, a spindle 26, as shown in FIG. 4. Spindle 26 is disposed relative to cavity 23 to facilitate the rotation of tray 14 relative to bowl 24, as described herein.

Opening 22 defines a housing 30. Housing 30 includes a bottom surface 32 and a side wall 34. Housing 30 is disposed relative to an actuator 80, as described herein. Housing 30 is substantially centrally-located with tray 14 such that pockets 18 are disposed circumferentially about housing 30. Surface 32 includes an upwardly projecting spindle protrusion 36 and a plurality of drive knobs 38 substantially equidistantly-located circumferentially about protrusion 36. Knobs 38 are separated by a gap 37. Knobs 38 each include a first ramp surface 40 and a second ramp surface 42. First ramp surface 40 and second ramp surface 42 merge at an apex 44. In operation, a portion of actuator 80 is configured to translate along first ramp surface 40, over apex 44 and along second ramp surface 42 and into gap 37. When the portion of actuator 80 is disposed with gap 37, actuator is releasably fixed with tray 14 to resist and/or prevent rotation, as described herein. In some embodiments, knobs 38 are equally distributed. In some embodiments, the number of knobs 38 equals the number of pockets 18 to facilitate alignment of pockets 18 with opening 52, as described herein.

To keep snacks S from falling out of tray 14 during transport and/or to maintain the freshness of snacks S, tray 14 includes a lid 50. Lid 50 is substantially clear for viewing snacks S therethrough. Lid 50 includes a substantially round, circular shape configured to fit with tray 14.

Lid 50 includes an opening 52 that is sized for alignment with one of pockets 18 to allow access to snacks S. Lid 50 includes a hinged flap 54 disposed with opening 52. Flap 54 is configured for disposal and alignment relative to a pocket 18 to allow access to snacks S. Flap 54 is configured for rotation about a hinge 56 for disposal between a closed orientation and an open orientation. Flap 54 includes a lock 58 that is configured to engage a surface of tray 14. In some embodiments, lock 58 is engaged with tray 14 via an integral connection, friction fit, pressure fit, interlocking engagement, mating engagement, dovetail connection, clips, barbs, tongue in groove, threaded, magnetic and/or key/keyslot.

Lid 50 includes a surface 60 that defines an opening 62. Opening 62 is aligned with housing 30 and configured for disposal of actuator 80, as described herein. Lid 50 is fixed with a portion of actuator 80 such that upon actuation of actuator 80 tray 14 is rotated relative to lid 50 to expose a single pocket 18. In some embodiments, actuator 80 includes spring tabs 82 configured to engage a portion of lid 50 to releasably fix actuator 80 with lid 50 to resist and/or prevent rotation of actuator 80 relative to lid. In some embodiments, lid 50 is connected with actuator 80 via an integral connection, friction fit, pressure fit, interlocking engagement, mating engagement, dovetail connection, clips, barbs, tongue in groove, threaded, magnetic and/or key/key slot.

Actuator 80 includes a button 90, a collar 92, a rotation mechanism 94 and a housing 96. Button 90 includes a circular configuration and is configured to be pressed to actuate actuator 80, as described herein. In some embodiments, actuator 80 is configured as a plunger button. Collar 92 is disposed with a cavity of button 90. Collar 92 includes a plurality of resiliently biased arms 100. One or more arms 100 includes a pin 104 protruding inwardly. Pins 104 are configured to engage a portion of rotation mechanism 94 to facilitate selective rotation, as described herein. Button 90 is moveable between a release orientation and locked orientation. In the release orientation, button 90 is biased upwards and can be pressed axially to actuate rotation of rotation mechanism 94. In the locked orientation, button 90 is fixed in a depressed orientation to resist and/or prevent rotation. Rotation mechanism 94 includes a base 106 and a tubular portion 108, as shown in FIGS. 6-8. Base 106 includes a cavity 110 configured for disposal of protrusion 36 to facilitate rotation of tray 14. Base 106 includes a plurality of extensions 112 circumferentially and equidistantly disposed about cavity 110. Extensions 112 protrude distally and are configured for disposal in gaps 37 of housing 30. Extensions 112 define drive pockets 114 therebetween. Drive pockets 114 are configured for disposal of knobs 37. During rotation, extensions 112 are configured to translate along ramp surface 40, over apex 44 and along ramp surface 42 such that knob 37 is disposed with an adjacent drive pocket 114 to facilitate selective rotation of tray 14.

Tubular portion 108 includes an inner surface 120 that defines a cavity 122. Cavity 122 is configured for disposal of a biasing member, for example, a spring. The biasing member is configured to spring load button 90. The biasing member biases button into the release orientation between rotations of tray 14.

Tubular portion 108 includes an outer surface 130. Surface 130 includes a plurality of vertical channels 132 connected by transverse channels 134. At least one vertical channel 132 includes a ramped surface 136, inclining from a distal end to a proximal end. At least one transverse channel 134 includes a ramped surface 138, inclining from the proximal end towards the distal end. Channels 132 include a proximal portion 150 having a wall 154. Wall 154 is configured to resist and/or prevent unwanted rotation of actuator 80. Upon actuation, for example, pressing button 90 downward pin 104 translates around wall 154 and distally along transverse channel 134. This causes rotation, in a direction shown by arrow B, of rotation mechanism 94 and simultaneous rotation of tray 14. Releasing button 90, in a direction shown by arrow C, causes pin 104 to translate proximally along channel 132 and into engagement with an adjacent proximal portion 150 and wall 154.

In some embodiments, tray 14 includes five pockets 18 and the selective rotation is one fifth of 360 degrees, for example, each rotation is 72 degrees. This selective rotation of 72 degrees is accomplished by collar 92 having five pins 104, rotation mechanism 94 having five vertical channels 132 and five transverse channels 134 equally disposed about rotation mechanism 94.

Container system 10 can be assembled and disassembled for cleaning and/or storage. For example, actuator 80 device is assembled such that the actuator 80 is rotatably positioned within lid 50 and housing 30 and actuator 80 is connected with lid 50 via spring tabs 82. Tray 14 is placed within bowl 24 such that tray 14 may substantially freely rotate. Base 106 is placed in housing 30 such that the drive pockets 114 are in drive contact with the knobs 38, and such that lid 50 comes into engagement contact with bowl 24.

With container system 10 assembled, actuator 80 is actuated, as described herein, which in turn causes tray 14 to index and/or rotate a predetermined and/or selected amount relative to bowl 24 such that an exposed pocket 18 is accessible and an unexposed containment compartment is closed. When the containment compartments contain a snack, a user, especially a child, experiences the entertainment and autonomy of choosing which snack to expose and subsequently retrieve and consume. It shall be noted that if all of the compartments contain a snack and the apparatus is overturned, only the snack in the open compartment is susceptible to spilling.

Turning now to FIG. 12A, a cross-sectional view of the components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown. An apparatus assembly is composed of a bowl 1506 and a lid 1504.

Turning now to FIG. 12B, a cross-sectional detail view of the components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown. Interlocking lid assembly 1208 is composed of at least 1) stiff lid material 1210 comprising a portion of the lid 1216, 2) pliant, soft lid material 1212 comprising a portion of the lid 1216, and 3) stiff bowl material 1214 comprising at least a portion of bowl 1218. Stiff lid material 1210 and stiff bowl material 1214 are composed of material and/or materials that are principally plastic, as opposed to elastic, in nature. Pliant, soft lid material 1212 is composed of material and/or materials that exhibit characteristics more elastic than those plastic characteristics of stiff lid material 1210 and stiff bowl material 1214. The elastic nature of the pliant, soft lid material 1212 permits the pliant, soft lid material 1212 of lid 1216 to deform when the lid 1216 is mated to the bowl 1218. After mating of lid 1216 and bowl 1218, the soft, pliant lid material 1212 returns to its pre-deformation resting state, creating oppositional normal forces between the lid 1216 and bowl 1218 which serve to maintain, in part, the respective positions of lid 1216 and bowl 1218. The surfaces of mated portions of lid 1216 and bowl 1218 are further characterized by paired geometrical features which further lock the lid 1216 and bowl 1218 together. At least in part due to the resulting stiff seating between the lid 1216 and bowl 1218, when assembly 1208 is subjected to the forces resulting from a drop of one meter onto a hard surface, lid 1216 and bowl 1218 deform at approximately equal rates and proportions. As a result, the seal between lid 1216 and bowl 1218 of assembly 1208 remains intact. Stiff lid material 1210, stiff bowl material 1214, and pliant, soft lid material 1212 may be composed of a combination of one or more substance including, but not limited to, polymers, plastics, carbon fibers, paperboards, and metals.

Turning now to FIG. 13, a perspective view of the components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown. Assembly is composed of lid 1302 and base 1304. The rims of each of lid 1302 and base 1304 are capable of mating in such a way as to prevent casual mutual detachment. Only through specific application of oppositional linear and torsional forces upon each of the rims of the lid 1302 and the base 1304 may the two be likely detached.

Turning now to FIG. 14, a perspective view of the slidable port components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown. Window assembly is composed of at least a vertical handle connected at the proximate end of the window 1402, locking pin 1404, and sliding track 1406. Sliding track 1406 is part of the greater lid assembly (not shown).

Turning now to FIG. 15, an exploded view of the passive latch components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown. Window 1502 is positioned relative to sliding track 1406 and locking pin 1504 in a manner sufficient to apply a compression force to spring 1502. Said compression force is sufficient to maintain locking pin 1504 firmly against the sliding track 1406, locking pin 1504 alternately entering and exiting sliding track detent 1506 as the vertical handle 1402 is used to move the lid window in a circular direction, either clockwise or counterclockwise, about sliding track 1406.

Turning now to FIG. 16, a stylized view of the passive latch components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown. Pin shaft 1602 is located on the rim of the window (not shown) proximal to the sliding track 1406. Pin 1504 is held against the sliding track 1406 by a spring force applied by spring 1502. As Pin shaft 1602 is moved from position 1 to position 2, pin 1504 is pushed into detent 1506 by the spring force. Where at position 2 the pin 1504 newly comes in contact with the inside of pin shaft 1602, the surface contact produces an audible clicking sound, indicating that the window is properly positioned with respect to one or more snack compartment.

Turning now to FIG. 17, a perspective view of the components of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus including a slidable port in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown. The assembly is composed at least of lid 1702, base 1706, and window 1704. Window 1704 is characterized by a planar pane 1710 with a raised handle 1402. When a tray (not shown) is locked with respect to the encompassing lid 1702 and base 1706, a user may apply a linear force in a direction parallel to the plane of the pane 1710 by use of the raised handle 1402, thereby opening window 1704.

Turning now to FIG. 18, a perspective view of the tray with multiple-sized compartments of one embodiment of a snack containment and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown. The tray rests within a cavity defined between the lid (not shown) and the base (not shown). The tray is designed to hold ingestibles in one or more compartments, as exemplified by first compartment 1802, second compartment 1804, third compartment 1806 and fourth compartment 1808. First compartment 1802, second compartment 1804, and third compartment 1806 are identically sized. Fourth compartment 1808 is approximately twice the size of each of the other compartments. The sizing of each compartment and the total number of compartments may be varied.

While certain illustrative embodiments have been described, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A snack containment and dispensing apparatus comprising: a bowl;a lid connectable with the bowl, the lid including an opening having a slidable cover;said slidable cover having a vertical handle connected at one end of a window disposed within said lid where said slidable cover holds in multiple open positions;a tray disposed with the bowl, the tray including multiple pockets and being configured for selective rotation relative to the bowl and connected lid to align one or more of the pockets with the slidable cover of said lid; anda plunger button configured to actuate rotation of the tray.
2. The snack containment and dispensing apparatus of claim 1, where the lid is connectable with the bowl by an angled rim on the interior circumference of the lid and an angled rim on the interior circumference of the bowl.
3. The snack containment and dispensing apparatus of claim 2, where said angled rim on the lid and said angled rim on the bowl are formed at such angles so as to enable a locking, sealed connection between the lid and the bowl.
4. The snack containment and dispensing apparatus of claim 2, where the mated rims are composed of multiple materials, each material having a unique elasticity.
5. The snack compartment and dispensing apparatus of claim 3, where the locking of the angled rim of the lid and the angled rim of the bowl forms a seal through a pressure closure.
6. The snack containment and dispensing apparatus of claim 1, where the multiple pockets are of various volumetric sizes.
7. A snack containment and dispensing apparatus comprising a bowl;a tray having a plurality of containment compartments;a lid connectable with the bowl, the lid including an opening having a slidable cover; anda plunger device adapted such that when said plunger is depressed, said tray indexes such that exposed access of a containment compartment is changed from a first containment compartment position to a second containment compartment position;where when said tray is indexed said second containment compartment position is directly beneath said slidable cover in the lid.
8. The snack containment and dispensing apparatus of claim 7, where the first containment compartment position permits access to one or more containment compartments.
9. The snack containment and dispensing apparatus of claim 8, where the second containment compartment position permits access to one or more containment compartments.
10. The snack containment and dispensing apparatus of claim 8, where the rims of each of the lid and of the bowl are disposed to form a locking seal when the rim of said lid and the rim of said bowl are compressed together.
11. The snack containment and dispensing apparatus of claim 7, where the containment compartments are of various volumetric sizes.

Continuation in Parts (1)

	Number	Date	Country
Parent	17588372	Jan 2022	US
Child	18627173		US

Modified Snack Containment and Dispensing Apparatus

Information

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Date Filed

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Abstract

Description

Claims

Continuation in Parts (1)