Measurable Disposable Container with Lid

Abstract

A disposable, bio-degradable food and beverage storage container, preferably of cardboard construction. The storage container is comprised of a cylindrical body portion and a removable lid having a seal that is also comprised of a biodegradable material. The interior surface of the body portion of the storage container is further comprised of an embossed portion line and a portion indicator. In one embodiment of the storage container, the body portion comprises a pair of opposing and spaced apart mixers fixedly attached to the interior surface for the mixing and/or agitation of the contents of the storage device in a spill-proof manner.

Claims

1. A disposable food and beverage storage container comprising: a cylindrical body having an interior surface; and a removable lid, wherein the cylindrical body and the removable lid are comprised of a biodegradable material.

2. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 1, wherein the bio-degradable material is comprised of cardboard.

3. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 1, wherein the interior surface comprises a portion line.

4. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 3, wherein the portion line extends entirely along an interior circumference of the cylindrical body.

5. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 1, wherein the interior surface comprises a portion indicator.

6. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 1, wherein the removable lid further comprises a seal.

7. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 6, wherein the seal is comprised of a biodegradable material.

8. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 7, wherein the biodegradable material is cork.

9. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 1 further comprising a pair of opposing and spaced apart mixers fixedly attached to the interior surface of the cylindrical body.

10. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 9, wherein each of the pair of mixers is comprised of a longitudinal frame member, a plurality of lateral frame members and a plurality of openings.

11. A disposable food and beverage storage container comprising: a cylindrical body; and a removable lid having a continuous opening therein and a repositionable closure mechanism, wherein the cylindrical body and the removable lid are comprised of a biodegradable material.

12. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 11, wherein the cylindrical body further comprises an interior surface having a portion line and a portion indicator.

13. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 11, wherein the removable lid further comprises a seal.

14. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 13, wherein the seal is comprised of a biodegradable material.

15. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 11 further comprising a pair of opposing and spaced apart mixers fixedly attached to the interior surface of the cylindrical body.

16. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 15, wherein each of the pair of mixers is comprised of a longitudinal frame member, a plurality of lateral frame members and a plurality of openings.

17. A disposable food and beverage storage container comprising: a cylindrical body; and a removable lid having a spout, a continuous opening, and a repositionable closure mechanism, wherein the disposable food and beverage storage container is comprised of a biodegradable material.

18. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 17, wherein the cylindrical body further comprises an interior surface having a portion line and a portion indicator.

19. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 17, wherein the removable lid further comprises a biodegradable seal.

20. The disposable food and beverage storage container of claim 17 further comprising a pair of opposing and spaced apart mixers fixedly attached to the interior surface of the cylindrical body, wherein each of the pair of mixers is comprised of a longitudinal frame member, a plurality of lateral frame members and a plurality of openings.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the food and beverage storage container of the present invention with the lid removed from the cylindrical body portion in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the food and beverage storage container of FIG. 1 with the removable lid securely attached to the cylindrical body portion to prevent spillage and in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the generally cylindrical body portion of the storage container device of FIG. 1 and illustrating the portion lines and portion indicators embossed on an interior surface thereof in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0026] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the generally cylindrical body of the food storage container device of the present invention further comprising a pair of spaced apart and opposing mixers in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0027] FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical body portion of the food storage container device of FIG. 4A at cut line A-A and in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0028] FIG. 5A illustrates a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the removable lid portion of the food storage container device of the present invention and further comprising a closure mechanism positioned in the closed position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0029] FIG. 5B illustrates a top perspective view of the removable lid portion of FIG. 5A with the closure mechanism positioned in the opened position in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0030] FIG. 5C illustrates a side elevational view of the removable lid portion of FIG. 5A with the closure mechanism positioned in the opened position in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0031] FIG. 6A illustrates a top perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the removable lid portion of the food storage container device of the present invention and further comprising a spout and a closure mechanism positioned in the opened position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0032] FIG. 6B illustrates a side elevational view of the removable lid portion of FIG. 6A with the closure mechanism positioned in the opened position in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

[0034] As noted above, there exists in the art a long felt need for a food and/or beverage storage container made entirely out of bio-degradable cardboard/paper-based construction, and that allows the user to portion/measure and mix food and/or beverage solely within the container in a precise and accurate manner, and without the need for additional tools such as external mixers, measuring spoons, cups and the like. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved cardboard/paper-based food and/or beverage storage container and associated lid with enhanced sealing capabilities to prevent leaks and spills, and for an improved food and/or beverage storage container that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and simple and easy to use.

[0035] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the food and beverage storage container 100 of the present invention and having a body portion 110, and a corresponding removable lid 140. Unless otherwise stated herein, each of body portion 110 and removable lid 140, and their various components, are comprised of a disposable bio-degradable material, such as cardboard, paper or the like.

[0036] Body portion 110 is preferably generally cylindrical in shape and is comprised of a top 112, a bottom 113, an exterior surface 114 extending between said top 112 and bottom 113, a raised lip 116 extending outwardly from top 112 in a direction opposite of bottom 113, an interior 120, and an interior surface 122. Exterior surface 114 may further comprise any user preferred or specified color, ornamentation and/or or wording (not shown), and raised lip 116 preferably comprises a plurality of external threads 118 extending outwardly therefrom for mating engagement with a corresponding set of threads on the lid 140 and to lock container device 100 in a spill and leak proof manner, as described more fully below.

[0037] As best shown in FIG. 3, interior surface 122 preferably further comprises a portion line 124 and a corresponding portion indicator 126 for enabling a user to fill the interior 120 of the body portion 110 with food and/or beverage contents 200 to a desired level in a precise and accurate fashion. Each of portion line 124 and corresponding portion indicator 126 are preferably embossed on the interior surface 122 in a raised, braille like fashion, and portion line 124 preferably extends along the entire interior circumference of interior surface 122 so that portion line 124 is visible by the user from virtually any angle, thereby adding to the convenience of the disposable and bio-degradable container 100. Further, each of portion line 124 and a corresponding portion indicator 126 could be manufactured to represent a particular volume such as, by way of example and not limitation, cup, cup, cups, and 1 cup. However, other embodiments of the container 100 of the present invention can be comprised of measurement/portion lines 124 and their respective indicators 126 that feature a variety of units that include, but are not limited to: teaspoons, tablespoons, cups, ounces, pints, quarts, and gallons, among other units of measurement.

[0038] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of lid portion 140 may comprise a top surface 142 having a lock indicator positioned thereon for instructing a user on how to lock or unlock the lid, a first stepped portion 144, a second stepped portion 146, a lip receiving portion 147 and a gasket or seal 149, though it is contemplated that lid 140 could have more or less stepped portions to suit user need and/or preference. Similar to external threads 118 on raised lip 116, lip receiving portion 147 is further comprised of a plurality of interior or internal threads 148 that correspond to external threads 118 to enable lid 140 to be secured to body portion 110, as best shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, a user (not shown) desiring to attach lid 140 to body portion 110 would simply align the lip receiving portion 147 of the lid 140 with the raised lip 116 of the body portion 110 and rotate the lid 140 in a clockwise motion to lock the lid 140 in place atop body portion 110, consistent with the lock indicator 143 instructions positioned on top surface 142. Further, as the lid 140 is screwed onto body portion 110, gasket/seal 149 is compressed therebetween to form a generally watertight seal that prevents unwanted leaks and spillage from container 100. As noted above, each of body portion 110 and lid 140, and their various components, are comprised of a disposable and bio-degradable material, such as cardboard, paper and the like, though it is specifically contemplated that gasket/seal 149 could also be comprised of a spill proof cork or like gasket.

[0039] By comparison, to remove the lid 140 from the body portion 110, for example, to access the contents 200 of disposable and bio-degradable container 100, the user (not shown) will simply unlock the lid 140 by twisting it in a counter-clockwise motion, consistent with the instructions provide by lock indicator 143 on top surface 142. Once the contents 200 have been consumed, the bio-degradable container 100 may be properly disposed of or recycled. Notwithstanding the forgoing, it is also contemplated that a tongue and grove locking mechanism, locking lever mechanism, friction fit or other locking mechanism could be used, as opposed to external threads 118 and internal threads 148, to removably secure lid 140 to body portion 110. In fact, an example of one such possible friction fit locking mechanism is described below.

[0040] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the cylindrical body portion 110 of the food and beverage storage container 100 of the present invention and further comprising a pair of spaced apart and opposing agitators or mixers 180 positioned in the interior 120 of body portion 110 in accordance with the disclosed architecture, and FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical body portion 110 of the food and beverage storage container device 100 of FIG. 4A at cut line A-A. More specifically, each of mixers 180 are preferably fixedly attached to, or integrally formed with, the interior surface 122 and extend outwardly into the interior 120 of body portion 110. Further, each of mixers 180 are also preferably comprised of a disposable and bio-degradable material such as cardboard, paper, etc., and is further comprised of a generally longitudinal frame member 182 and a plurality of laterally frame members 184, forming a plurality of openings 186 therein, as best shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0041] Containers 100 having mixers 180 can be used, for example, to prepare a protein shake by the user. More specifically, to utilize the disposable and bio-degradable container 100, a user (not shown) simply fills the body portion 110 with their desired food or beverage content 200 until the amount of the contents 200 reaches the desired portion line 124 and its corresponding portion indicator 126, thereby ensuring accurate and precise measurements each time. The user then places the lid 140 on the body portion 110 and turns it in a clockwise direction to matingly engage the external threads 118 of the body portion 110 with the internal threads 148 of the lid 140, and to compress the gasket/seal 149 therebetween to form a generally waterproof seal to prevent unwanted spills and leaks of the contents 200. Once properly sealed, the user can then shake the entire container 100 in a generally circular and/or up and down motion to ensure proper agitation/mixing of the contents 200 by mixers 180. Once mixing is complete, the user can access the mixed contents 200 by simply twisting the lid 140 in a counter-clockwise motion, consistent with the instructions of the lock indicator 143 on top surface 142 of lid 140. Once the contents 200 have been consumed, the bio-degradable container 100 may be properly disposed of or recycled.

[0042] FIG. 5A illustrates a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a removable lid portion 150 of the food and beverage storage container 100 of the present invention, and further comprising a closure 157 positioned in the closed position in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, lid portion 150 further comprises a generally cylindrical exterior 151, a top surface 152, a generally cylindrical bottom portion 154 having a diameter that is slightly smaller than exterior 151, a continuous opening 155, a slot 156, a tab 158 and a gasket/seal 159. Unless otherwise stated herein, lid portion 150, and its various components, are comprised of a disposable bio-degradable material, such as cardboard, paper and the like.

[0043] FIG. 5B illustrates a top perspective view of the removable lid portion 150 of FIG. 5A with the closure mechanism 157 positioned in the opened position in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, continuous opening 155 extends between top surface 152 and bottom portion 154 and, when closure 157 is in the open position, is in fluid communication with the interior 120 of body portion 110 such that the contents 200 of the disposable and bio-degradable container 200 can flow through continuous opening 155 to the user.

[0044] FIG. 5C illustrates a side elevational view of the removable lid portion 150 of FIG. 5A with the closure mechanism 157 positioned in the open position in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, tab 158 is fixedly attached to closure 157 such that the repositioning of tab 158 within slot 156 in bottom portion 154 causes the closure to move between an open position, as best shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C and defined as not interfering with opening 155, and a closed position, as best shown in FIG. 5A and defined as interfering or completely sealing off opening 155 to prevent the contents 200 from passing therethrough.

[0045] Additionally, gasket/seal 159 is preferably comprised of a biodegradable material such as cardboard, paper, spill proof cork or like gasket, and is positioned along the generally circular exterior surface of bottom portion 154 such that when bottom portion 154 is inserted into the interior 120 of body portion 110, seal 159 comes into contact with the interior surface 122 of body portion 110 adjacent to raised lip 116 and/or top 112 (if raised lip is not present) and forms a friction fit and seal therebetween to prevent unwanted spillage or leakage.

[0046] FIG. 6A illustrates a top perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of a removable lid portion 160 of the food and beverage storage container 100 of the present invention and further comprising a spout 164 and a closure mechanism 167 positioned in the opened position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, and much like lid portion 150, lid portion 160 further comprises a generally cylindrical exterior 161, a top surface 162, a generally cylindrical bottom portion 153 having a diameter that is slightly smaller than exterior 161, a continuous opening 165, a slot 166, a tab 168 and a gasket/seal 169. Unless otherwise stated herein, alternative lid portion 160, and its various components, are comprised of a disposable bio-degradable material, such as cardboard, paper and the like.

[0047] Continuous opening 165 extends through spout 164, top surface 162 and bottom portion 164 and, when closure 167 is in the open position, is in fluid communication with the interior 120 of body portion 110 such that the contents 200 of the disposable and bio-degradable container 200 can flow through continuous opening 165 in spout 164 and to the user (not shown).

[0048] FIG. 6B illustrates a side elevational view of the removable lid portion 160 of FIG. 6A with the closure mechanism 167 positioned in the open position in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, tab 168 is fixedly attached to closure 167 such that the repositioning of tab 168 within slot 166 in bottom portion 163 causes the closure 167 to move between an open position, as best shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B and defined as not interfering with opening 165, and a closed position (not shown), defined as interfering or completely sealing off opening 165.

[0049] Additionally, gasket/seal 169 is preferably comprised of a biodegradable material such as cardboard, paper, spill proof cork or like gasket, and is positioned along the generally circular exterior surface of bottom portion 163 such that when bottom portion 163 is inserted into the interior 120 of body portion 110, seal 169 comes into contact with the interior surface 122 of body portion 110 adjacent to raised lip 116 and/or top 112 (if raised lip is not present) and forms a friction fit and seal therebetween to prevent unwanted spillage or leakage.

[0050] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the improved food and beverage biodegradable container 100 can by any suitable size, shape, and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the shape and size of the container 100 and its various components including measurement units and increments, as show in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other shapes and sizes of the container 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although dimensions of the container 100 and its components (i.e., length, width, and height) are important design parameters for good performance, the container 100 and its various components may be any shape or size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference.

[0051] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.