PICKLE CONTAINER

Abstract

A container for storage of a pickle, as well as to facilitate a mess-free eating experience of a pickle is described. The container has a top portion and a bottom portion. Disposed between the top portion and bottom portion, a series of cylindrical segments are present. The cylindrical segments are configured to be removed in sequence in order to reveal more of the pickle as it is consumed, providing the user a means by the which the pickle may be eaten completely without having to directly touch or move the pickle itself. The bottom portion is equipped with a bottom having a means by which the cylindrical segments as well as the top portion may be affixed for storage during consumption of the pickle.

Claims

1. A pickle container comprising: a body, said body composed of discrete interlocking segments; wherein said body is generally cylindrical; wherein said interlocking segments are cylindrical; a top section, said top segment terminating at a rounded point; wherein said top section is configured to interlock with any of said interlocking segments; a bottom section, said bottom section terminating at a rounded point; and wherein said top section and said bottom section comprise a top and a bottom of the container respectively.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: junctions, said junctions present between said interlocking segments; and wherein said junctions are formed by threads present on a first side and a second side of each interlocking segment.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said top section and said bottom section are equipped with interlocking threads.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the container is pickle-shaped.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one juice hole, said at least one juice hole present at said rounded point of said bottom section; and a juice hold plug, said juice hold plug removably disposed within said at least one juice hole.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one juice hole, said at least one juice hole present at said rounded point of said top section; at least one juice hole, said at least one juice hole present at said rounded point of said bottom section; and a juice hole plug, said juice hole plug removably disposed within said at least one juice hole.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container is available in the following proportional sizes: small, medium, and large.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical segments are wider than said top section and said bottom section.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, at least one juice hole, said at least one juice hole present at said rounded point of said bottom section; and a juice hole plug, said juice hole plug removably disposed within said at least one juice hole.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: at least one juice hole, said at least one juice hole present at said rounded point of said top section; at least one juice hole, said at least one juice hole present at said rounded point of said bottom section; and a juice hold plug, said juice hold plug removably disposed within said at least one juice hole.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said top section and said bottom section are equipped with interlocking threads.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said cylindrical segments are wider than said top section and said bottom section.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the container is available in the following proportional sizes: small, medium, and large.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

[0009] The present invention will be better understood with reference to the appended drawing sheets, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a view of the primary embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention as seen from the side.

[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a view of the primary embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, depicted in an open position.

[0012] FIG. 3 depicts a view of the primary embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, shown with the pickle partially eaten, and then container resealed in a shorter form with some cylindrical sections removed.

[0013] FIG. 4 depicts a flow chart detailing the process of use of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] The present specification discloses one or more embodiments that incorporate the features of the invention. The disclosed embodiment(s) merely exemplify the invention. The scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s).

[0015] References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment, Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0016] The present invention is a container configured to house a pickle for storage, as well as for use during consumption by a user. The apparatus of the present invention exhibits a container (10) embodied in a housing having an interior cavity (20) and an exterior (30). The container (10) primarily resembles the general dimensions of a whole dill pickle. The container (10) is equipped with a top section (40) and a bottom section (50). Disposed between the top section (40) and the bottom section (50), cylindrical segments (60) are present. The cylindrical segments (60) are approximately one centimeter in length, and are configured to be added or removed to/from the container (10) in order to modify the overall length of the container (10) to accommodate the entirety of the pickle, as well as to effectively shorten the length of the container (10) as the pickle is eaten while remaining, in part, within the container. There are preferably at least two cylindrical segments (60), however more segments may be present in large embodiments of the present invention. As such, the container (10) is configured to function as a clean handle during the consumption of the pickle by the user.

[0017] The cylindrical segments (60) are preferably configured to interlock with one another, with a top of each cylindrical segment (60) mating with a bottom of any other cylindrical segment (60). Similarly, the cylindrical segments (60) are configured to mate with the top section (40) and bottom section (50) of the container in order to form the enclosure of the housing around the pickle. It should be understood that the pickle may be accessed by twisting and pulling at a junction (70) of any two cylindrical segments (60), or at a junction (70) of a cylindrical segment (60) and the top section (40) or bottom section (50) of the apparatus. A bottom (80) of the bottom section (50) is preferably equipped with a means by which the cylindrical segments (60) and/or the top section (40) may be affixed for storage and ease of handling the container (10) when the interior cavity (20) is exposed for consumption of the pickle. This may be accomplished via a friction fitting, threading, peg-based lock, or other similar conventional temporary retaining mechanism. Threading (90) is depicted in FIG. 1, but it should be understood that other conventional attachment mechanisms may be employed to connect the top section (40) to the bottom of the bottom section (50), as well as to facilitate the connection of the cylindrical segments (60) to one another, and/or to the top section (40) and bottom section (50).

[0018] Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, at least one juice hole (95) is preferably present at a rounded point (105) or “tip” of the bottom section (50) and/or top section (40) to facilitate the drainage of pickle juice. Pickle juice may be saved within the container (10) for enjoyment later. As such, the user may opt to suck the pickle juice out of the at least one juice hole (95). Each juice hole (95) is preferably equipped with a removable plug (115) (a juice hole plug) which is preferably composed of a silicone or plastic material to provide a water-tight seal.

[0019] The process of use of the apparatus of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, is preferably as follows: [0020] 1. First, a user acquires the apparatus of the present invention from an authorized retailer or e-retailer and ensures that all the components of the apparatus are present. (100) [0021] 2. Next, the user washes the apparatus in preparation for its first use. (110) [0022] 3. Then, the user opens the container of the apparatus and inserts his/her favorite pickle into the interior cavity of the container. (120) [0023] 4. The pickle is now safely stored until consumption is desired. (130) [0024] 5. When the user wishes to eat or share the pickle, he or she then grasps the housing of the container, and opens the container by removing the top section of the apparatus, revealing the pickle housed within the interior cavity. (140) [0025] 6. The user then affixes the top section of the apparatus to the bottom of the bottom section of the apparatus for storage, as well as to elongate the handle portion of the container. (150) [0026] 7. The user then eats the portion of the pickle which is now exposed due to the removal of the top section. (160) [0027] 8. If desired, the user may then reseal the container by removing the top section from the bottom of the bottom section and closing the container. (170) [0028] 9. Alternately, if the user wishes to continue consumption of the pickle, he or she may then remove one or more cylindrical sections of the container to further expose more of the pickle, providing for consumption of the pickle without having to move the pickle itself. (180) [0029] 10. The user then continues to remove the cylindrical sections as needed to expose more and more of the pickle until he or she has eaten all of the pickle, or until he or she wants a break, at which time the user may then reseal the container using the top portion. (190). It should be noted that the top portion is configured to attach to any cylindrical section equally, or may even be attached directly to the bottom portion if applicable (such as when the pickle becomes very small as the majority has been eaten). [0030] 11. Once the pickle is completely consumed, the user washes the container of the present invention for subsequent use to contain a new pickle. (200)

[0031] It should be noted that the present invention is preferably available for purchase in two different colors: smokey white and dark green. However, it is envisioned alternate colors may be made available in future alternate embodiments of the present invention. Further, the smokey color is preferably smooth, whereas the dark green is preferably textured with bumps, similar to the actual cosmetics of a pickle. Three sizes of the container (10) are preferably available: a small, a medium, and a large. For medium and larger embodiments of the present invention, only dark green may be available. The container (10) is preferably composed of a durable, food-safe plastic which is non-breakable, lightweight, and easy to use. It is envisioned that each size may be sold in bundles, individually, or in mixed packs.

[0032] Further, it should be understood that the container (10) of the present invention is inherently shaped like an actual pickle, with the top section (40) being narrow at the top, the bottom section (50) being narrow at the bottom, and the cylindrical segments (60) being wider than the top section (40) and the bottom section (50). There is tapering to the edges at junctions (70) to facilitate their connections where applicable.

[0033] Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood that various adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturing away from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should be understood that the present invention is not solely limited to the invention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprises any and all embodiments within the scope of this application.

[0034] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.