Collapsible Elongated Container

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an elongated food container and method of use of same for maintaining the freshness and palatability of an elongated food product. The elongated food container includes a first segment with a base portion having an exterior surface for contacting a substantially flat support surface. The base portion has a length that is at least about 1.15 times longer than the base is wide with a first pair of sidewalls extending upwardly from the base portion, and with a first end wall joining the first pair of sidewalls of the first segment to the first base portion at a closed end of the first segment of the elongated container. The terminal portions of the first planar base portion and second pair of sidewalls of the first segment define a first opening at the open end of the first segment. The open end of the first segment has a predetermined exterior dimension. The elongated food container also includes a second segment having a second base portion for contacting a substantially flat support surface. The second base portion has a length that is at least about 1.15 times longer than the base is wide and a second pair of sidewalls extending upwardly from the second planar base portion. A second end wall joins the second pair of walls of the second segment to the second end wall at the closed end of the second segment of the elongated container. By pushing or pulling apart the first and second segments when telescopically mated, the user can lengthen or shorten the elongated food container to match the length of the food product contained therein as it is consumed over time.

Claims

1. An elongated semi-rigid food container for maintaining the freshness and palatability of an elongated food product comprising: (1) a first segment including, (a) a first substantially planar base portion having an exterior surface for contacting a substantially flat support surface, the base portion having a length that is at least about 1.15 times longer than the base is wide; (b) a first pair of sidewalls extending upwardly from the substantially planar base portion; and (c) a first end wall joining the first pair of sidewalls of the first segment to the first substantially planar base portion at a closed end of the first segment of the elongated container, the terminal portions of the first substantially planar base portion and second pair of sidewalls of the first segment defining a first opening at the open end of the first segment, the open end of the first segment having a predetermined exterior dimension; and, (2) a second segment including, (d) a second substantially planar base portion for contacting a substantially flat support surface, the second base portion having a length that is at least about 1.15 times longer than the base is wide; (e) a second pair of sidewalls extending upwardly from the second substantially planar base portion; and (f) a second end wall joining the second pair of walls of the second segment to the second end wall at the closed end of the second segment of the elongated container, the terminal portions of the second substantially planar base portion and second pair of sidewalls of the second segment defining a second opening at the open end of the second segment and the internal dimension of the open end of the second segment formed by the second pair of sidewalls and second base wall has an interior dimension that is slightly larger than the exterior dimension of the open end of the first segment such that the first segment and second segment can be telescopically mated at their respective open ends to enclose an elongated food product.

2. The elongated semi-rigid, food container for maintaining the freshness and palatability of an elongated food product of claim 3 wherein the first segment and second segment are telescopically mated at their respective open ends to enclose an elongated food product.

3. The elongated semi-rigid, food container for maintaining the freshness and palatability of an elongated food product of claim 2 wherein substantially the entire length of the second segment formed by the second pair of sidewalls and second base wall has an interior dimension that is slightly larger than the exterior dimension of substantially the entire length of the first segment whereby the telescopically mated first and second segments can be drawn together to bring their respective closed ends closer in order to shorten the container and exclude excess air form the interior of the elongated container.

4. The elongated semi-rigid, food container for maintaining the freshness and palatability of an elongated food product of claim 2 wherein to match the length of the food product contained therein after portion of the food product are consumed.

5. The elongated semi-rigid, food container for maintaining the freshness and palatability of an elongated food product of claim 2 wherein each of the sidewalls and substantially planar base portions of the open ends of the first and second segments of the elongated container each includes angled surfaces on their respective terminal ends to facilitate telescopic mating of the first and second container segments.

6. The elongated semi-rigid, food container for maintaining the freshness and palatability of an elongated food product of claim 2 wherein the materials selected for forming the first and second segments are semi-rigid having sufficient resiliency to deflect slightly outwardly in the case of the first segment and slightly inwardly in the case of the second segment upon telescopic mating of the first and second segments.

7. The elongated semi-rigid, food container for maintaining the freshness and palatability of an elongated food product of claim 2 wherein the materials selected for forming the first and second segments are a semi-rigid plastic resin which is substantially transparent so that the user can view the elongated food product through the sidewalls of the elongated container.

8. The elongated semi-rigid food, container for maintaining the freshness and palatability of an elongated food product of claim 2 wherein the internal surface adjacent to the second opening of the second segment has an annular rib for creating a friction fit seal with the inner surface of the first segment to allows for great dimensional variance between the two segments of the elongated containers of the invention upon telescopic mating.

9. The elongated semi-rigid, food container for maintaining the freshness and palatability of an elongated food product of claim 1 wherein the first pair of sidewalls are substantially planar and extend substantially perpendicularly upwardly from the substantially planar base portion, the second pair of sidewalls are substantially planar and extend substantially perpendicularly upwardly from the second substantially planar base portion, and the first pair of side walls and second set of sidewall are joined by a substantially planar top wall such that the elongated container has a substantially rectangular cross section.

10. An elongated food container for maintaining the freshness and palatability of an elongated food product comprising: (1) a first segment having (a) a first cylindrical sleeve portion having a length that is at least about 1.15 times longer than the diameter of the sleeve portion; (b) a first end wall defining a first closed end of the first segment of the elongated container, the first cylindrical sleeve extending from the first closed end and terminating in an open end, the open end of the first segment having a predetermined exterior diameter, and (2) a second segment having (c) a second cylindrical sleeve portion having a length that is at least about 1.15 times longer than the diameter of the sleeve portion; and (d) a second end wall defining a first closed end of the second segment of the elongated container, the second cylindrical sleeve portion terminating in an open end, the open end of the second segment having an internal diameter that is slightly larger than the exterior dimension of the open end of the first segment such that the first segment and second segment can be telescopically mated at their respective open ends to enclose an elongated food product.

11. A method of maintaining the freshness and palatability of an elongated food product utilizing an elongated food container having a first segment with a first sleeve portion having a closed end and a first open end with a predetermined exterior diameter and a second segment with a second sleeve portion with a closed end and a second open end having an internal dimension that is slightly larger than the exterior dimension of the first open end of the first segment such that the first segment and second segment can be telescopically mated at the first open end and the second open end to enclose an elongated food product, the method comprising the steps of: selecting an elongated food container that is longer than the elongated food product to be stored therein; placing one end of the elongated food product in one of the first segment and the second segment of the elongated food container; telescopically mating the first segment and the second segment such that the elongated food product is contained within the interior the spaced defined by the telescopically mated first segment and second segment; moving a closed end of one of the first segment and the second segment toward the other closed end of one of the first segment and second segment until the length of the elongated food product is substantially matched by the length of the elongated container thereby excluding excess air from the elongated container to preserve the freshness of the elongated food product during storage.

12. The method of maintaining the freshness and palatability of an elongated food product utilizing an elongated food container of claim 11 further comprising the step of matching the cross-sectional shape of the elongated food container to the cross-sectional shape of the elongated food product in order to further minimize the volume of air within the telescopically mated first segment and second segment.

13. The method of maintaining the freshness and palatability of an elongated food product utilizing an elongated food container of claim 11 further comprising the steps of uncoupling the telescopically mated first segment and second segment of the elongated food container, cutting the elongated food product to a shorter length, placing the shortened elongated food product in one of the first segment and the second segment of the elongated food container, telescopically mating the first segment to the second segment such that the shortened elongated food product is contained within the interior spaced defined by the mated first segment and second segment, moving a closed end of one of the first segment and the second segment toward the other closed end of one of the first segment and second segment until the length of the shortened elongated food product is substantially matched by the length of the elongated container thereby excluding excess air from the elongated container to preserve the freshness of the shortened elongated food product during storage.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The organization and manner of the structure and function of the invention, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, may be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view of an elongated container in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention in which the two segments of the container are separated;

[0015] FIG. 2 is an open end cross-sectioned view of the two segments of the container in accordance with the elongated container of FIG. 1 placed one above the other for ease of viewing;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional top view of the two open ends of the two segments in a partially telescopically mated position in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of an elongated container in accordance with FIG. 1 in which the first and second segments are telescopically mated around an elongated food item;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view of an elongated container in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention in which the two segments of the container are separated;

[0019] FIG. 6 is an open end cross-sectional view of the two segments of the container of FIG. 5 placed one above the other for ease of viewing;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the two ends of the first and second segments of the elongated container of FIG. 5 showing the optional rib contacting the inner surface of the first segment;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a side view of an elongated container in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention in which the two segments of the container are separated;

[0022] FIG. 9 is an open end cross sectional view of the two segments of the container of FIG. 8 placed one above the other for ease of view.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a side view of an elongated container in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention in which the two segments are mated and standing on end.

[0024] FIG. 11 is an open end cross-sectional view of the two segments of the container of FIG. 10 placed one above the other for ease of view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] A first embodiment of the elongated container 20 of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The elongated container 20 generally includes a first segment 30 including a first planar base portion 32 having an exterior surface 34 for contacting a flat support surface 90, the base portion 32 having a length that is at least about 1.15 times longer than the base portion 32 is wide. A first pair of sidewalls 36 extending upwardly from the planar base portion 32. A first end wall 38 joins the first pair of sidewalls 36 of the first segment 30 to the first planar base portion 32 at a closed end 39 of the first segment 30 of the elongate container 20. The terminal portion of the first planar base portion 32 and first pair of sidewalls 34 of the first segment 30 defining a first opening 42 at the open end 40 of the first segment 30. The open end 40 of the first segment 30 has a predetermined exterior dimension. The cross-sectioned predetermined exterior dimension of the first segment is larger than the predetermined diameter of the elongated food product 88 for storage in the elongated container 20.

[0026] The elongated container also includes a second segment 60 having a second planar base portion 62 with an exterior surface 64 for contacting the flat support surface 90. The second planar base portion 62 has a length that is at least 1.15 times longer than the second base portion 62 is wide. The second segment 60 further including a second pair of sidewalls 66 extending upwardly from the second planar base portion 62, and a second end wall 68 joining the second pair of sidewalls 66 of the second segment to the second end wall 68 at the closed end 69 of the second segment 60 of the elongated container 20. The terminal portions of the second planar base portion 62 and second pair of sidewalls 66 of the second segment defining a second opening 72 at the open end 70 of the second segment 60.

[0027] The first and second segments (30, 60) of the elongated collapsible container 20 are both fabricated from a resilient, semi-transparent thermoplastic resin such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), or polypropylene (PP). Preferably, the first and second segments (30, 60) are formed by injection molding, but may also be formed by a blow molding, extrusion or thermoforming processes. Although semi-transparent resins are preferred so the elongated food product 88 can be seen through the walls of the first and second segment (30, 60), opaque resins may be utilized or tints may be added to the semi-transparent resins. Both the first segment 30 and second segment 60 have a length at least about 1.15 times as long as their width, which means that the total length of the container 20 when telescopically mated in their maximally extended position is at least about two times longer than the width of the container. The elongated collapsible cores of the invention are designed to closely match the dimensions of the most common mass-market elongated food products. Most baguettes are between two inches and two and one half inches wide and between eighteen inches and twenty-six inches long. Elongated dried sausage products, e.g. salami, are frequently in the range of two inches to four inches wide and between eight and twelve inches long. Similarly, elongated-style crusty bread loaves are typically between about four and seven inches thick and between twelve inches and twenty-four inches long. Common elongated cheese log sizes are between about two to three inches in diameter and between about ten to sixteen inches in length. Many commercially available cheese blocks have a square cross-section with a width and height of between about 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches and lengths from about eight inches to about twelve inches. Those square cross-sectioned cheese blocks are often dimensioned to match the most common dimensions of commercial crackers, particularly saltine crackers, so that many crackers have similar cross-sectioned dimensions of between about 1.5 and 2.5 inches in both length and width. When stacked with or without packaging sleeves, the sleeved, stacked crackers have dimensions of between eight and twelve inches in length. To accommodate these most commonly commercially available elongated foods, it is contemplated that an end user with a well-stocked kitchen should own at least three different sizes of elongated collapsible containers of the invention, e.g. a three inch by twenty-four inch elongated collapsible container, five inch by twelve inch collapsible container, and eight inch by eighteen inch container (when both segments are mated and in their fully expanded configuration). The well-stocked kitchen would also include a mix of circular, semi-circular, elliptical, square and rectangular cross-sectional shaped elongated containers of the invention with the mix of cross-sections depending on the anticipated needs of the end user. Matching the elongated collapsible length dimension and cross-sectioned area dimension of the elongated food container of the food product with the container assists in reducing the air volume contained within the elongated container to enhance the freshness and palatability of the cut food product 88. As the elongated food product 88 is consumed, the amount of overlap between the first and second segments (30, 60) is increased thereby reducing the internal air volume within the elongated container. When the overlap of the first and second segments (30, 60) is at its maximum extent, the air volume within the container 20 is reduced to its minimum which is roughly 50% of the maximum volume of the container when maximally extended.

[0028] In FIG. 4, the first and second segments (30, 60) are shown in a telescopically mated, semi-closed position with terminal ends (41, 71) overlapped so that the length of the elongated food product 88 is matched by the length of the elongated container 20. The amount of overlap of the terminal ends (41, 71) can be increased to accommodate the shortening of the food product 88 each time a portion of the food product is cut off and consumed over a period of time. When the food product 88 is placed within the elongated container 20, the two ends (41, 71) are separated so that one end of the food product is inserted into one of the two segments (30, 60) and the other segment is telescopically mated to the segment filled with the elongated food product 88. The first and second segments are then slid together until the distance between the inner surfaces (37,67) of the end walls (38, 68) is just longer than the elongated food product 88. The telescopic sliding reduces the air volume inside the elongated container significantly and the overlap between the two segments and relatively snug telescopic mating of the segments prevent excessive air exchange between exterior and the interior of the mated elongated container 20. This allows the elongated food product 88 to retain sufficient moisture to significantly extend the palatability and freshness of the elongated food product 20.

[0029] Turning in more detail to FIG. 3, the open ends (40, 70) of the two segments (30, 60) are dimensioned for telescopic mating. The terminal ends (41, 71) of each of the side walls (36, 66) have angled surfaces (43, 73), which facilitate telescopic mating of the first segment 30 within the second segment 60. The planar base portions (32, 62) also each have terminal open ends (not shown) that include similar angled surfaces (not shown) to facilitate telescoping mating of first and second segments (30, 60). While it is preferred that the terminal open ends (41, 71) of sidewalls (36, 66) and the open terminal ends (43, 73) of the planar base portions (32, 62) include angled surfaces to facilitate telescopic mating, when the materials selected have sufficient dimensional stability and sufficiently precise manufacturing dimensional tolerances, the angled surfaces may be omitted in favor of rounded or flattened end surfaces (not shown). To ensure ease of telescopic mating and preservation of the palatability of elongated food product, the preferred gap between the outside diameter of the first segment 30 and inside diameter of the second segment 60 is less than about 1/32 of an inch.

[0030] The planar base portions (32, 62) of each of the segments (30, 60) each have planar exterior base surfaces (34, 64) for contacting planar support surface 90. While planar exterior surfaces (34, 64) are preferred to prevent the elongated containers of the invention from rolling on the planar support surface 90, a rounded, oval, elliptical or partially flattened exterior surface may also be utilized in the elongated containers of the invention. As best seen in FIG. 4, the preferred shape of the sidewall has a semi-circular cross-section to approximate the rounded, cylindrical shape of many elongated, food products.

[0031] There are a number of elongated rectangular shaped food products that can be accommodated by the elongated container 20. To further optimize the freshness and palatability of a partially consumed, rectangular elongated food product, the sidewall shape of the elongated collapsible container of the invention can be altered as shown in the rectangular cross-section elongated collapsible container 120 shown in embodiment of FIGS. 5-6. The rectangular cross-section elongated collapsible container 120 shown in FIGS. 5-6 is similar in all respects to the elongated collapsible container 20 shown in FIGS. 1-4 with the exception of the shape of the sidewalls (136, 166) and inclusion of top walls (145, 175). For this reason, similar structures have been labeled with corresponding number series beginning with 100 for rectangular elongated food container 120.

[0032] Similar to the elongated container 20, the elongated, rectangular cross-section collapsible shaped container 120 has a first and second segment (130, 160), the segments have a first end wall 138 and second end wall 168, a first pair of sidewalls 136 and a second pair of sidewalls 166, first opening 142 and second opening 172, and first open end 140 and second open end 170. Also similar to the corresponding numbered structure in FIGS. 1-4 showing container 20, the first and second segments (130, 160) of the elongated collapsible rectangular container 120 have closed ends (139, 169), planar base portions (132, 162), planar base portion exterior surfaces (134, 164), and first end wall inner surfaces 137 and second end wall inner surfaces 167. As briefly mentioned above, the primary difference between the container 20 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 and the container 120 of FIGS. 5-6 is the straightened vertical sidewalls (136, 166) of the elongated collapsible container 120 and the flattened upper walls 145 and 175. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the length and width of the elongated collapsible container with rectangular cross-section may vary, but the relationship between the relative width to length of the mated, fully extended container should be at least twice as long as it is wide with the most common configurations being the elongated container between two and one half times and four times longer than they are wide.

[0033] Optionally, where relatively less dimensionally stable materials are selected for forming the two segments (130, 160), particularly when such materials are resilient and therefore readily deflect upon telescopic mating, a sealing rib 176 may be provided on the exterior of the first segment 130, the interior of the second segment 160 or on both segments to facilitate a sufficiently snug fit between the first segment 130 and second segment 160. As shown in FIG. 7, it is preferred that the rib 176 is located on the exterior surface of the first segment 130 to contact the inner surface of second segment 160 when telescopically mated. Where a rib is utilized, the preferred gap between the interior and exterior dimension may exceed 1/32 of an inch for the remainder of the segments (130, 160), but should match or exceed the inner diameter of the second segment 160 by no more than 1/32 of an inch. This allows for a friction fit between the rib 176 and the inner surface of the second segment 160. Where there is a friction fit, there will be at least a partial seal between the rib 176 and the inner surface of the second segment 160.

[0034] Furthermore, there are a number of elongated square cross-sectional food products such as square cross-section cheese blocks, stacked saltine crackers (saltine sleeves), etc. that can be accommodated by the elongated containers of the invention. To further optimize the freshness and palatability of a partially consumed, square cross-section elongated food products, the sidewall shape of the elongated collapsible container of the invention can be altered as shown in the square cross-section elongated collapsible container 220 shown in embodiment of FIGS. 8-9. The square cross-section elongated collapsible container 220 shown in FIGS. 8-9 is similar in all respects to the elongated collapsible container 120 shown in FIGS. 5-6 with the exception of the shape of the sidewalls (236, 266) and inclusion of top walls (245, 275). For this reason, similar structures have been labeled with corresponding number series beginning with 200 for rectangular elongated food container 220.

[0035] Similar to the elongated container 120, the elongated, square cross-sectional collapsible container 220 has first and second segments (230, 260), the segments have a first end wall 238 and second end wall 268, a first pair of sidewalls 236 and a second pair of sidewalls 266, first opening 242 and second opening 272, and first open end 240 and second open end 270. Also similar to the corresponding numbered structure in FIGS. 5-6 showing container 120, the first and second segments (230, 260) of the elongated collapsible rectangular container 220 have closed ends (239, 269), planar base portions (232, 262), planar base portion exterior surfaces (234, 264), and first end wall inner surfaces 237 and second end wall inner surfaces 267. As briefly mentioned above, the primary difference between the container 120 of the embodiment of FIGS. 5-6 and the elongated collapsible container 220 of FIGS. 8-9 is the matched length of the vertical sidewalls (236, 266) to the width of the planar base portions (132, 162) of the elongated collapsible container 220. Similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7, the length and width of the elongated collapsible container with the square cross-sectional shape may vary, but the relationship between the relative width to length of the mated, fully extended container should be at least twice as long as it is wide with the most common configurations being the elongated container between two and one half and three times as long as wide.

[0036] Furthermore, there are a number of elongated circular cross-sectional food products such as circular cross-section sausages, stacked cookies, stacked circular crackers (i.e. Ritz cracker sleeves), etc. that can be accommodated by the elongated containers of the invention. To further optimize the freshness and palatability of a partially consumed, circular cross-section elongated food products, the shape of the elongated collapsible container of the invention can be altered as shown in the square cross-section elongated collapsible container 320 shown in embodiment of FIGS. 10-11. The circular cross-section elongated collapsible container 320 shown in FIGS. 10-11 is similar in all respects to the elongated collapsible container 20 shown in FIGS. 1-4 with the exception of the shape of the sidewalls (236, 266) and the elimination of the base portion (32, 36). For this reason, similar structures have been labeled with corresponding number series beginning with 300 for rectangular elongated food container 320.

[0037] Similar to the elongated container 20, the elongated, circular cross-sectional collapsible container 320 has first and second segments (330, 360), the segments have a first end wall 338 and second end wall 368, a first pair of sidewalls 336 and a second pair of sidewalls 366, first opening 342 and second opening 372, and first open end 340 and second open end 370. Also similar to the corresponding numbered structure in FIGS. 1-4 showing container 120, the first and second segments (330, 360) of the elongated collapsible rectangular container 320 have closed ends (339, 369), first end wall inner surfaces 337 and second end wall inner surfaces 367. As briefly mentioned above, the primary difference between the container 20 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 and the container 320 of FIGS. 10-11 is the sidewalls (336, 366) have a continuous radius of curvature so that each segment (330, 360) forms a cylindrical sleeve, and as a result there is no planar base portion in the elongated collapsible container 320. Since the elongated collapsible container 320 is likely to be prone to rolling when placed on its sidewalls (336, 366) on a planar surface 90, the preferred orientation of the container 320 for storage is likely to be in a vertical orientation as shown in FIG. 10 with the exterior surface (335, 365) of one of the end wall (338, 368) contacting the planar surface 90. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9, the length and width of the elongated collapsible container with the circular cross-sectional shape may vary, but the relationship between the relative width to length of the mated, fully extended container 320 should be at least twice as long as it is wide with the most common configurations being the elongated container between two and one half and three times as long as wide.