Container and Method for Storing a Perishable Product

Abstract

The present disclosure relates an improved container useful for maintaining the freshness of a moisture-sensitive, consumable product stored within the container. The present container is also designed to enable the consumer to access and sample the aroma of the product within the container without needing to completely open the container, thereby maintaining the quality of the product, and avoiding potential contamination. The present container utilizes a preserving product, such as a desiccant or humectant, which is positioned within a separate compartment apart from the product within the container. The desiccant removes moisture from the product and helps to maintain the freshness of the product while stored within the container.

Claims

1. A container for storing a perishable product comprising: a bottom section having an interior space for receiving a perishable product; a top section removably secured to the bottom section, and a separate compartment disposed within the top section.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the compartment is centrally positioned within the top section.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the compartment includes a top aperture and an opposing bottom aperture.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein the top aperture is covered by a lid.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the lid is removably secured to the top aperture to the compartment.

6. The container of claim 2, wherein the bottom aperture is formed as a plurality of slots.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the bottom aperture fluidly connects the top section with the bottom section.

8. The container of claim 6, wherein the bottom aperture permits access to an aroma emitted by the product stored within the bottom section of the container.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein a tamper-evident seal is provided at a junction between the top section and the bottom section.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the tamper-evident seal is positioned vertically along the junction between the top section and the bottom section.

11. The container of claim 9, wherein the tamper-evident seal is positioned horizontally along the junction between the top section and the bottom section.

12. A method for maintaining the freshness of a perishable, consumable product, the method comprising the steps of: providing a container having a top section and a bottom section, the bottom section configured for storing the perishable consumable product; incorporating a preserving material into the top section of the container for maintaining a moisture content of the product stored within the container; positioning the preserving material in close proximity to the perishable consumable product within the container; and, permitting access to the perishable consumable product to a consumer.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further includes the step of positioning the preserving material within a chamber in the top section of the container and separate from the consumable product within the container.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the method further includes the step of removing the preserving material from the chamber container to permit access to the consumable product.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further includes permitting access to the perishable consumable product without removing the top section from the bottom section of the container.

16. A container for storing a consumable product comprising: a top section and a bottom section, wherein the top section is removably secured to the bottom section; the bottom section having an interior space for receiving the consumable product; a compartment disposed within the top section, the compartment having a top and an opposing bottom opening; a plurality of openings formed within the bottom opening of the compartment; and, wherein the compartment is configured to receive a preserving material and provide access to the product within the bottom section.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein the compartment is fluidly connected to the bottom section.

18. The container of claim 16, wherein the compartment retains the preserving material in close proximity to the consumable product.

19. The container of claim 16, wherein the compartment retains the preserving material from direct contact with the consumable product.

20. The container of claim 16, wherein the compartment is configured to provide sensory access to the consumable product.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an improved container according to the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective top view of the improved container according to the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional away view of the improved container according to the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a section view of the improved container according to the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 4a illustrates a close-up view of the indentations for a lid;

[0029] FIG. 4b illustrates a close-up view of a connection area or junction between the two sections of the container;

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the improved container according to the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the improved container according to the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the improved container according to the present disclosure containing a suitable desiccant or humectant;

[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view of the improved container of FIG. 7; and

[0034] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the improved container of FIG. 7 containing a desiccant or humectant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present disclosure relates to an improved container useful for displaying, storing and maintaining the freshness of the product stored within the container. The present container utilizes a preserving material, such as a desiccant product or optionally a humectant, which is positioned in a separate compartment within the container. The advantage of the present container is that the desiccant/humectant is positioned within the container to be effective, but it does not come into direct contact with the product. Another advantage of the present container is that the compartment of the container also permits limited access to the stored product, enabling the consumer to sample the aroma or scent of the product, without opening the container itself or breaking the tamper-evident seal thereby preserving the integrity of the product stored within the container. The present disclosure further relates to a method for maintaining the freshness of a perishable, consumable product stored within a container which is configured to permit limited access to the stored product without completely opening the container.

[0036] Now referring to the figures, FIGS. 1-9 illustrate an improved container 10 for storing perishable products and dried products, including dried herbs, medications, CBD-containing products, medicinal and recreational cannabis products, etc. Although a specific shape of the container is shown, it should be understood the container 10 can have any suitable shape. The container 10 can be constructed from any durable, non-toxic material, such as glass, metal or plastic. Ideally, the container 10 is clear or slightly opaque to easily display the products stored therein.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an embodiment of a container 10 of the present disclosure. The hollow container generally comprises two pieces or sections—a closed bottom section 12 having an interior space 12a and a bottom 12b for receiving a product (not shown), and a top section 14. The top section 14 can be removably secured to the bottom section 12 utilizing any known securing or connecting feature, including as a screw top, snap together, inserting or seating the top section into the bottom section, hinged or another suitable method. The two sections 12, 14 are removably secured to each other so that the products can be easily added and removed from the container. Ideally, after being filled with the product, the container is not completely opened again until purchased by the consumer.

[0038] Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the top section 14 is connected to the bottom section 12, it is desirable to have a tamper-evident seal 13, such as tape, sticker, plastic ring, or other indicia positioned ideally between, around or over an intersection or junction 15 of the two container sections. The tamper-evident seal 13 can be positioned anywhere at the junction 15 between the top and bottom sections of the container, for example, as a vertical or horizontal tape strip, or completely around the circumference of the container, similar to the clear plastic ring found on standard medicine bottles, or bottles of consumable food products. Use of a tamper-evident seal 13, particularly for a consumable product, indicates to the consumer whether or not the container itself has been opened, and also maintains the safety and quality of the product. As described below, a feature and advantage of the present container is that the product within the container can be accessed in a limited manner by the consumer without having to open the container body itself and disturbing the tamper-evident seal 13.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the top section 14 of the container further includes a pocket or a compartment 16. The pocket or compartment 16 of the present container is designed to serve at least two functions. Initially, it holds a preserving material, such as a desiccant product 30, or optionally a hydrating or humectant product, within the container, but away from the product stored within the bottom section 12 of the container 10. Second, when the desiccant 30 is removed from the compartment, limited access is provided, particularly to the aromas of the product, so that the consumer can sample the product within the container. Thus, the compartment 16 is configured to both preserve the product within the container 10 and permit limited access to the product by the consumer.

[0040] The pocket or compartment 16 is generally centered within and extending downward into the top section 14, with a circumference and a depth not exceeding that of the top section (FIG. 4). The compartment includes a top opening or aperture 21 and an opposing bottom opening or aperture 22. As shown in FIGS. 4, and 5, a removable lid 18 is provide, which specifically seals the top aperture 21 of the compartment 16. The lid 18 can be either partially or completely removable from the compartment. In one embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 4a and 5, at least one indentation 20 is provided in the surface of the top section 14. Optionally, more than one indentation, such as on opposing sides of the lid 18, are provided. The indentation 20 or indentations are useful for seating the lid 18 on the top aperture of the compartment 16 and can also be used for leveraging and removing the lid from the top section 14 (FIG. 5). Removing the lid 18 permits access to the interior of the compartment 16 to either remove, add or change the desiccant product 30 or hydrating product. Alternatively, the lid 18 may be attached by a hinge to the compartment, so that it is not completely removed when opened.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom aperture 22 of the compartment 16 is formed as open structure or plurality of small openings, such as a grate, perforations or slots 24, which fluidly connect the compartment within the top section to the product stored in the bottom section 12 of the container. These open structures 24 permit moisture, odors, gasses, etc., which may be given off by the product stored within the interior 12a of the bottom section 12 of the container to flow from the product into the compartment 16 where it encounters the desiccant, humectant or other preserving material, depending on the requirements of specific product being stored within the container.

[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the compartment 16 is designed to hold a preserving material 30, such as a desiccant which is useful to absorb moisture and maintain the freshness of the product stored within the container 10. The plurality of openings, perforations or slots 24 formed within the bottom aperture 22 of the compartment 16 permit any moisture from the product to reach and be absorbed by the preserving material sitting on the slots without coming into direct contact with the product. A desiccant product 30 can be any known form and type of desiccant useful in the industry, such as those commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry. Ideally, because the present container 10 is capable of storing a consumable product, it is preferable to use a non-toxic product, such as a sea salt, or a silica gel as a desiccant. For example, a desiccant, such as sea salt, would be encased in a permeable, breathable material, forming a puck shape which is placed within the compartment 16.

[0043] Optionally, if it is desired to maintain the freshness or revitalize the freshness of the product within the container, a humectant product for retaining or preserving moisture, or a hydrostone may be used in place of the desiccant. Hydrostones are often used to revitalize and keep tobacco fresh and may be used within the compartment 16 of the present container 10. The hydrostone is provided as a ball or bead, which is immersed on water and then placed within the compartment 16 to revitalize the moisture of a dried product stored within the container.

[0044] In addition to holding the preserving material within the container 10, another unique feature of the compartment 16 with its plurality of openings 24 is that it permits limited access to the product stored within the container 10 without having to completely open the container, i.e., remove the top section 14 from the bottom section 12. Specifically, when the lid 18 of the compartment 16 is opened and the preserving material 30 is removed, the plurality of openings 24 forming the bottom aperture 22 of the compartment 16 allows the scent or aroma of the product to emanate or flow through the slots and into the compartment. The advantage to this feature is that the product and specifically the scent or aroma of the product, can be sampled by the customer prior to purchase without having to open the entire container 10, i.e., separate the top section 14 from the bottom section 12. Sampling the aroma or scent of the product in this manner maintains the tamper-evident indicator 13 for the safety and security of the consumer, while maintaining the quality and integrity of the product, and also protects the product from contamination and/or theft.

[0045] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. Further, references throughout the specification to “the invention” are nonlimiting, and it should be noted that claim limitations presented herein are not meant to describe the invention as a whole. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.