RECONFIGURABLE FOOD CONTAINER AND EATING UTENSIL

Abstract

A selectively reconfigurable apparatus includes a body defining, in a first stable configuration, an enclosed space operable to retain a food item, and configured, once the food item is expelled, to be manually caused to achieve a second stable configuration, wherein the body presents at least one eating utensil, such as a spoon, scoop, and/or spreading knife. In a preferred embodiment, the body is planar and defines a plurality of fold and/or cut lines.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to food containers and eating utensils adapted for use by a user, and more particularly, to a hybrid apparatus or “podule” that is reconfigurable from a food container, in a first configuration, to at least a second configuration that presents an eating utensil.

2. Background Art

Food containers, such as condiment packets, are well known and long standing staples of the food processing and distribution arts. They enable a food item housed therein to remain esculent; and they enable individualized serving, storage, and shipping. The food item may be an appurtenance, such as a spice, jam, jelly, butter, or sauce, that is added to a food, such as a sandwich, biscuit, toast, or coffee; or it may be consumed by itself. Where use of the food item is desired, conventional containers are typically opened, expelled of their contents, and then discarded. Likewise, eating utensils are well known and long standing manual tools that aid users in the preparation and consumption of foods. Spoons, forks, and knives, for example, aid in manipulating food, e.g., cutting it down to a manageable portion, gathering and lifting it to the mouth, etc. It is common for a user who wishes to consume a food, such as bread, to use one or more utensils to add or apply a food item, such as butter, to the food; for example, the food item may be spread onto the food using a spreading knife, so as to provide a layer of generally uniform thickness. The one or more eating utensils may then be used to aid in consuming the food. Thus, to consume the food as desired, the user is required to possess both a container of food item, and the necessary utensil(s).

After use, plastic utensils are often discarded, adding generally non-biodegradable waste to the Earth. It is appreciated that in the U.S. alone, some 30 million tons of plastic was discarded in 2014; and of that, only 25% was recycled or converted to energy, resulting in 22.5 million tons being deposited in landfills. The Earth Institute, at Colombia University estimates that global plastic consumption is over 110 million tons a year, and that there is also 100 million tons of plastic debris floating around in oceans (Cho, R., What Happens to All That Plastic, State of the Planet, Jan. 31, 2012). This results in a readily discernable concern, given that the decomposition rate of plastic has been estimated to be 1,000 years. Of further concern, once plastic decomposes, it releases harmful pollutants to the environment.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel apparatus or “podule” operable to present a food item container in a first configuration, and at least one eating utensil in a second configuration, once the food item stored therein has been expelled. Among other things, the invention is useful for eliminating the need to possess both a container of food item and a separate eating utensil to aid in preparing and/or consuming the food when desired. As such, the invention is further useful for facilitating the consumption of food by users, reducing packaging space, and increasing the functionality of food containers. By eliminating the need for both a food container and a utensil, an often times a plastic utensil, the invention is yet further useful for effecting an environmental benefit to the Earth, and to those that rely on its health, by reducing waste, including non-biodegradable plastic waste.

More particularly, the present invention concerns an apparatus selectively reconfigurable from a container adapted to house a food item, and to at least one eating utensil. The apparatus comprises a planar body defining at least one fold line, and portions adjacent said at least one fold line. Said at least one fold line and portions are geometrically configured such that the body defines an enclosed space in a first configuration, by folding a first subset of the portions first predetermined degrees, and a second configuration when a second subset of the portions are folded second predetermined degrees. The first and second subsets and/or degrees are incongruent. The body, when in the second configuration, presents an eating utensil manually manipulable and operable to facilitate the preparation or consumption of food by the user.

In a preferred embodiment, the body is formed of a bio-degradable material, and is able to achieve second and third configurations that present different utensils. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment(s) and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiment(s) of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a podule being manipulated by a human user, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a body composing the podule shown in FIG. 1, wherein the body is planar prior to folding, and presents a plurality of fold/cut lines;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the podule shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the podule shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 a-d are progressive elevations of the podule shown in FIG. 1, as it is converted from a container to a spoon/scoop, and then to a knife, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plurality of podules in aggregate assembly being stored in display packaging, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the present invention concerns a hybrid apparatus or “podule” 10 operable to achieve a first stable configuration, wherein it functions as a container for storing a food item 12 (FIG. 5a), and a second stable configuration, wherein it functions as an eating utensil. The food item 12 may be any edible substance, including solids (e.g., grain, spices, cereal, etc.), liquids (e.g., sauces, cream, etc.), or emulsions (e.g., jam, jelly, mayonnaise, butter, etc.). The podule 10 is adapted for manual use and transformation by a user 14; and as such, is preferably sized and configured, so as to be manually manipulated. The podule 10 is preferably for single use, and as such, is preferably sized and configured to expel its entire serving of the food item 12.

The eating utensil that the podule 10 forms may be any eating or food preparatory utensil operable to facilitate the preparation or consumption of food by the user 14, including but not limited to any of a variety of spoons or scoops (FIG. 5c), knives (FIG. 5d), spatulas, forks, cups, straws, bowls, or combinations thereof. To that end, it is appreciated that the illustrated embodiment presents a podule 10 operable to achieve spoon-like, and knife-like configurations; it is further appreciated, however, that one of ordinary skill in the art may achieve other utensils or spoons and knives of different configurations by changing the geometric configuration of the podule 10.

The preferred podule 10 is formed from a planar body 16 that is bent, folded, or otherwise manipulated to form the first and second configurations. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the body 16 may define at least one, and more preferably a plurality of fold lines 18, and flat portions 20 adjacent the fold line(s) 18, and the first and second configurations may be achieved by folding first and second subsets of the portions 20 first and second predetermined degrees respectively. It is appreciated that the first and second subsets and/or degrees are incongruent (i.e., the body 16 must be reconfigured to achieve the second configuration). The fold lines 18 are configured to facilitate folding, and may present a reduced thickness in comparison to the remainder of the body 16. The preferred fold lines 18 are demarked as such by a solid line, so as to guide the user 14 in transforming the podule 10. Additionally, indicia as to the contents inside and/or source of the container may be provided on the outside of the podule 10, in addition to fold lines and instructions, when in the first configuration (FIG. 6).

In the illustrated embodiment, the body 16 in its planar state presents a symmetrical shape comprising a central conical area 22, and lateral wing areas 24. The central area 22 presents an inverted cone extending four inches in length, and having a diameter of two inches at its rounded end. The central area or cone 22 defines a fold line 18a along the lateral center line of the podule 10, and sloped fold lines 18b along the extremities of the cone. The wing areas or wings 24 run adjacent the sloped fold lines 18b and converge at the pointed tip of the cone 22. Each of the illustrated wings 24 defines parallel sides, a half circle 24a having a one inch diameter adjacent the pointed tip, and a circular or elliptical sector 24b at the opposite end (FIGS. 2-4). The sectors 24b are sized and configured to predominately overlay the rounded end when the podule 10 is in the first configuration (FIGS. 1 and 3). The wing areas 24 define vertical fold lines 18c that extend from the outside of the half circle 24a to the tangent of the sector 24b and rounded end of the cone 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the wings present a span of 3.0625 inches, and a secondary near-vertical fold line 18d that extends from the outside of the half circle 24a to a point along the sloped fold line 18b near the tangent.

The fold lines 18 and portions 20 are geometrically configured such that the body 16 is caused to define an enclosed space (not shown) in a first configuration (FIG. 1), by folding a first subset of the portions first predetermined degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the body 16 is caused to achieve the first configuration and form the food container by folding the wing areas 24 ninety degrees until the half circles 24a are brought adjacent. It is appreciated that the half-circles 24a in this configuration provide a container handle that enables the podule 10 to be pinched using only two fingers (FIG. 1). Next, the wings 24 are themselves folded ninety degrees along the vertical lines 18c until the outer edges are brought adjacent, forming a seam therebetween. The sectors 24b are then caused to overlay the rounded end of the cone 22 to form a podule lid tab that facilitates opening. Once the first configuration is achieved the adjacent half circles 24a, the seam, and the sectors-cone overlay may be bonded (or equivalent), and more preferably, caused to form a hermetically sealed internal space, depending upon the type of food item 12 to be housed. It is appreciated that the food item 12 may be placed in the space defined by the podule 10 prior to sealing the lid. In the first configuration (FIG. 1), it is appreciated that due to its geometric shape, a plurality of podules 10 may be efficiently assembled or aggregated to facilitate packaging, storage, and shipping (FIG. 6).

To achieve the second configuration, which presents a first eating utensil (FIGS. 5c), a second subset of the portions 20 are folded second predetermined degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, once the podule 10 is in the first configuration, and the lid has been opened, so as to expel the food item 12, the body 16 may be caused to achieve the second configuration by collapsing the space along the cone-wing interface, while the half circles remain bonded 24a. More particularly, the user 14 uses his fingers to press against the lateral sides of the podule 10. This causes the cone 22 to fold in half along the central fold line 18a, and the wings 24 to lay flat against each other (compare FIGS. 4 and 5a). The top of the wings 24 and sectors 24b are then separated from the remainder of the body 16 (FIG. 5b), by manually tearing or cutting the wings 24 along the vertical fold lines 18c. To facilitate this step, the vertical fold lines 18c preferably present perforated cut lines, which are preferably demarked as such by broken or dashed lines. After bifurcating the wings 24, the remainder of the body 16 may be opened by unfolding the cone 22 along the central fold line 18a. The remaining wing sections traverse the planes formed by the cone 22, so as to enclose at least a portion of the inner space on three sides, thus presenting a spoon or scoop (FIG. 5c). Functionality is improved by folding the remainder wings 24 along the near-vertical fold lines 18d, so as to further enclose the space. The spoon or scoop 10 defines a partially enclosed cavity operable to retain a quantity of food when oriented upright.

More preferably, the podule 10 is operable to achieve second and third configurations that present different utensils. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the podule 10 is able achieve a third configuration, which presents a spreading knife (FIG. 5d). More particularly, to achieve the third configuration, and starting from the second configuration, the remaining wings 24 are folded inwardly, and more preferably, 180 degrees inwardly, along their near-vertical lines 18d, so as to form superjacent wing layers. Likewise, the cone 22 and remaining wings are folded along the central fold line 18a to collapse the body 16 and preferably form superjacent conical layers. Where manually held in this third configuration, the podule 10 forms a knife having a handle section 26 and a food engaging or spreading section 28 (FIG. 5d). At the spreading section 28, the halved rounded end of the cone 22 forms a curvilinear edge, such that the section 28 is operable to pierce and cut soft foods, as well as spread viscous food items 12 (e.g., mayonnaise, soft butter, jelly, etc.). Creased, filleted, or chamfered edges are preferably provided to create an ergonomic tool for spoon and knife functions. More preferably, the body 16 may be treated so as to further improve the functioning of the utensil. For example, a cardboard body 16 may be compressed and corrugated along at least a portion of the curvilinear edge, so as to imitate a serrated edge when used as a knife.

The body 16 is preferably formed of a pliable material suitable for the intended purpose, as readily selectable by one of ordinary skill in the art. Such materials include durable paper, cardboard, organic composites, degradable plastics, foil sheets, and combinations thereof. More preferably, the body 16 is formed of a bio-degradable material such as durable cardboard, so as to effect an environmental benefit to the Earth. The preferred podule 10 may further include a protective, internal layer 30 fixedly attached to the body 16, and disposed intermediate the body 16 and space in the first configuration, so as to space the food item 12 from the body 16. The layer 30 is cooperatively configured with the food item 12, so as to be non-reactive, and otherwise safe for use therewith. For example, the internal layer 30 may include a non-absorbing, and non-reactive coating, film, sheet, or bladder. Finally, in the illustrated embodiment, the exterior of the container is presented by one side of the planar body 16 (FIG. 2), which facilitates the placement of indicia and the protective layer 30 on opposite sides prior to folding; further, it is appreciated that the exterior of the container forms the exterior of the utensil, which minimizes contact between the user 14 and remnants of the food item 12 when handling the utensil.

The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. For example, as described, the podule 10 may present utensil surfaces having a rounded edge which functions as a spoon-like or knife-like utensil depending on the angle or position of use; however, the edge is not limited to the forms depicted and may present other regular (geometric) or irregular shapes. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments and methods of operation, as set forth herein, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any system or method not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus selectively reconfigurable from a container adapted to house a food item, to an eating utensil adapted for use by a user, said apparatus comprising: a body defining, in a first configuration, an enclosed space operable to retain the food item, and manually transformable to a second configuration, once the food item is expelled,said body, in the second configuration, presenting an eating utensil manually manipulable and operable to facilitate the preparation or consumption of food by the user.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is formed of a pliable material selected from the group consisting essentially of cardboard, organic composite, and foil.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: an exterior layer fixedly attached to the body, intermediately disposed between the body and space in the first configuration, and cooperatively configured with the food item, so as to be non-reactive therewith.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the exterior layer is selected from the group consisting essentially of a coating, film, and sheet.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the eating utensil is selected from the group consisting essentially of a spoon, scoop, knife, spatula, fork, cup, straw, and bowl.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the body, in the second configuration, presents a spreading knife having a handle section, and a flat food engaging section defining a curvilinear edge.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the body, in the second configuration, presents a spoon or scoop defining a partially enclosed cavity operable to retain a quantity of food when oriented upright.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said body being planar, and defining at least one fold line, and portions adjacent said at least one fold line, wherein said at least one fold line and portions are geometrically configured such that the body defines the first configuration by folding a first subset of the portions first predetermined degrees, anddefines the second configuration when a second subset of the portions are folded second predetermined degrees,said first and second subsets and/or degrees being incongruent.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the first and/or second subsets are caused to form superjacent layers, and bonded, when in the first or second configuration.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said at least one fold line presents at least one perforated cut line, and is further configured to cause the body to define a second configuration when at least one portion adjacent said at least one cut line is separated from the remaining portions by detaching the body along said at least one cut line.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the body defines a symmetric planar shape.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the shape presents a central conical region, and laterally adjacent wings.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the wings presents parallel sides, and sector and half-circle parts at opposite ends.

14. An apparatus selectively reconfigurable from a container adapted to house a food item, and to a select one of a plurality of eating utensils adapted for use by a user, said apparatus comprising: a planar body defining at least one fold line, and portions adjacent said at least one fold line, wherein said at least one fold line and portions are geometrically and cooperatively configured such that the body defines an enclosed space in a first configuration, by folding a first subset of the portions first predetermined degrees,defines a second configuration, when a second subset of the portions are folded second predetermined degrees, anddefines a third configuration, when a third subset of the portions are folded third predetermined degrees,said first, second, and third subsets and/or degrees being incongruent,said body, when in the second and third configurations, presenting a different eating utensils manually manipulable and operable to facilitate the preparation or consumption of food by the user.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the body, in the second configuration, presents a spreading knife having a handle section, and a flat food engaging section defining a curvilinear edge, and in the second configuration, presents a spoon or scoop defining a partially enclosed cavity operable to retain a quantity of food when oriented upright.