Abstract:
A disposable food delivery device is disclosed. The device includes a food utensil coupled to a food container. The food container can be pre-charged with food, such as a dehydrated food, such that a liquid can be added to the dehydrated food to result in a ready-to-eat food at any selected time. The food container illustratively can include a port for receiving the liquid. The food container also illustratively can include a security seal for assuring that the food has not been contaminated prior to consumption. Another illustrative embodiment of the invention includes a valve for retaining liquid in the food container prior to consumption of the food.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/919,793, filed Aug. 16, 2004, which is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/080,283, filed Feb. 20, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,423, which are hereby incorporated in their entireties. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention relates to a disposable food delivery apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to a disposable food delivery apparatus comprising a food container coupled to a food utensil member. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the food container is pre-charged with food, such as a dehydrated food that can be rehydrated with water in the food container such that dehydrated food is rendered ready to eat. In such an illustrative embodiment, the food container illustratively comprises a port for receiving the water therein. In another illustrative embodiment of the invention, the food container comprises a security seal for assuring that the food has not been contaminated prior to consumption. In still another illustrative embodiment of the invention, the food container comprises a valve for retaining liquids in the food container until the food is ready for consumption. 
         [0004]    In recent years, foods that are ready to eat or that can be prepared quickly and with a minimum of effort have become a growing part of the American diet. So-called “fast foods” are increasingly popular, but often are high in calories, high in fat, and low in nutritional quality. It will be appreciated that providing a food delivery device that provides for quick and easy preparation of healthy, nutritious food would be a significant advancement in the art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A disposable food delivery device is disclosed. The device includes a food utensil disposed on a food container. The food container can be pre-charged with food, such as a dehydrated food, such that a liquid can be added to the dehydrated food to result in a ready-to-eat food at any selected time. The device includes a channel for conducting the food from the food container into the food utensil, where it is available for consumption. The food container or food utensil can illustratively can include a port for receiving the liquid to be added to the dehydrated food. The food container also illustratively can include a security seal for assuring that the food has not been contaminated prior to consumption. Another illustrative embodiment of the invention includes a valve for retaining liquid in the food container prior to consumption of the food. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded side elevation view of an illustrative food delivery apparatus according to the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows a front elevation view of the food delivery apparatus of  FIG. 1  without the cap. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of the food utensil portion of the food delivery apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows a sectional view along line  15  of the food utensil portion of the food delivery apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  shows side sectional view of the cap of the food delivery apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of the food container portion of the food delivery apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  shows a front elevation view of an illustrative food delivery apparatus according to the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  shows a side elevation view of the food delivery apparatus of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of the food delivery apparatus of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  shows a bottom view of the food delivery apparatus of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  shows a side elevation view of a plunger for use with the food delivery apparatus of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  shows a side view of the plunger of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 13 . shows a top view of a pressure plate for use with the food delivery apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  shows a side view of the pressure plate of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  shows a front elevation view of a cap for use with the food delivery apparatus of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  shows a side elevation view of the cap of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  shows an exploded front elevation view of an illustrative food delivery apparatus according to the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  shows an exploded side elevation view of the food delivery apparatus of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 19  shows a top view of the food delivery apparatus of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  shows an exploded front elevation view of an illustrative embodiment of a food delivery apparatus according to the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 21  shows a perspective cutaway view of an illustrative embodiment of a food delivery apparatus according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 22  shows a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a food delivery apparatus according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Before the present disposable food delivery apparatus and methods of making and using thereof are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such configurations, process steps, and materials may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
         [0029]    The publications and other reference materials referred to herein to describe the background of the invention and to provide additional detail regarding its practice are hereby incorporated by reference. The references discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. 
         [0030]    It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to disposable food delivery apparatus containing “a port” includes reference to an apparatus containing two or more of such ports, reference to “a utensil” includes reference to one or more of such utensils, and reference to “a valve” includes reference to two or more of such valves. 
         [0031]    In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below. 
         [0032]    As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.” 
         [0033]    As used herein, “consisting of” and grammatical equivalents thereof exclude any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. 
         [0034]    As used herein, “consisting essentially of” and grammatical equivalents thereof limit the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic or characteristics of the claimed invention. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 1-6  show an illustrative food delivery apparatus according to the present invention. The food delivery apparatus  10  comprises a food container  12 , a food utensil  14 , and a cap  16 . The food container comprises a flexible bag  18  and a collar  20 . The flexible bag  18  is disposed on the collar  20  such that there is no leakage of liquid or semi-liquid food therebetween. The flexible bag  18  can be attached to the collar  20  by heat sealing, use of an appropriate adhesive, or the like, according to methods well known in the art. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the flexible bag is made of a flexible plastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or other suitable polymers. The flexible bag is sealed at the bottom  22  thereof, such as by heat sealing, thereby forming a vessel  24  for holding food. 
         [0036]    The collar  20  comprises a lower portion  26  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 1 ) to which the flexible bag  18  is attached, a middle portion  28  coupled to the lower portion  26 , and a neck  30  coupled to the middle portion  28 . The neck  30  comprises a plurality of ridges  32  for use in releasably attaching the food container  12  to the food utensil  14 . This releasable attachment will be described in more detail below. 
         [0037]    In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the collar further comprises an opening  34  through which the food in the food container  12  can pass from the food container  12  to the food utensil  14 . In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, this opening  34  is sealed with a seal  36  after placing a food, such as a dehydrated food, in the food container  12  at the factory. This seal prevents the entry of moisture or contaminants from contacting the food until the seal is removed by the consumer just prior to use. 
         [0038]    In an illustrative embodiment of the food delivery apparatus  10 , the food utensil  14  comprises a bowl  38  disposed on a funnel member  40 , which is in turn disposed on a ring member  42 . The lower edge of the funnel member  40  comprises a rim  44 . This rim  44  is configured for cooperatively engaging the inner surface of the cap  16  for holding the cap  16  in place over the bowl  38  and funnel member  40 , as will be described in more detail below. The funnel member  40  comprises a channel  46  for receiving food from the food container  12  and channeling it to the bowl  38 . The channel  46  ends at an opening  48  in the bowl  38 . Thus, food that is channeled through the channel  46  enters the bowl  38  through the opening  48 . Once the food is in the bowl  38 , it is ready to be eaten by the consumer. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the ring member  42  of the food utensil  14  comprises and inner wall  47  on which are disposed a plurality of ridges  49 . These ridges  49  are configured to cooperatively engage the ridges  32  of the collar  20  such that the food utensil  14  can be attached to the collar  20  by twisting and tightening the food utensil  14  onto the collar  20 , resulting in a leak-proof seal of the top edge  35  of the neck  30  against the inside rim  45  of the food utensil  14 . Friction of the ridges  32  of the neck  30  against the inner ridges  49  of the food utensil  14  holds the top edge  35  against the inside rim  45 . 
         [0040]    The cap  16  comprises a housing  50  that defines a chamber  52 . The housing  50  comprises a side wall  54  and a top  56  disposed thereon. Extending downward from the top  56  is a plug  58 , which is configured for fitting into the channel  46  of the utensil when the cap  16  is in place over the bowl  38  and funnel member  40 . The plug  58  closes the channel  46  for preventing food from passing therethrough. The lower end of the inner wall  60  of the cap  16  is configured for cooperatively engaging the rim  44  of the food utensil  14  such that the cap  16  is held in place by friction of the inner wall  60  against the rim  44 . 
         [0041]    As mentioned above, in an illustrative embodiment of the invention, food, such as instant mashed potatoes, is placed in the food container  12  in the factory, and a seal  36  is placed over the opening  34  of the neck  30  to seal the food inside the food container  12  to prevent contamination of the food with water or other contaminants. The food utensil  14  is twisted onto the neck  30  of the food container  12 , and the cap  16  is placed on the food utensil  14  such that the plug  58  closes the channel  46  and the cap is held in place by the friction of the inner wall  60  against the rim  44 . The consumer uses the food delivery apparatus  10  by untwisting the food utensil  14  from the food container  12 , removing the seal  36 , adding hot water to the food contained in the food container (if such food is dehydrated food), and replacing the food utensil  14 . The food is rehydrated and mixed, if necessary, by manipulating the flexible bag  18  until mixing is complete. It will be appreciated that the plug  58  extending into the channel  46  prevents the food from passing through the channel  46  until the cap is removed. Next, the cap is removed and the flexible bag is squeezed, thus allowing the flowable food to pass out of the food container through the opening  34 , through the funnel member  40 , through the channel  46 , and into the bowl  38  of the food utensil  14 . Once the food is present in the bowl  38 , the food utensil  14  functions as a spoon, and the consumer can eat the food. After the food is consumed, the food delivery apparatus  10  can be disposed of. 
         [0042]    In an alternative embodiment of the food delivery apparatus of  FIGS. 1-6 , the bowl  38  can be replaced with a tubular, straw-like member. In this embodiment, the food passes through the channel and the tubular, straw-like member. The consumer can place the tubular, straw-like member in her mouth and receive the flowable food directly therefrom. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 7-16  show another illustrative embodiment of a food delivery apparatus  100  according to the present invention. The food delivery apparatus  100  comprises a food container  104  for holding a flowable food. The food container comprises a side wall  105 , which defines a chamber  106 . A funnel member  108  is disposed on the upper end of the food container  104 , comprising a neck  110 . Disposed on the neck  110  is a food utensil  112 . A channel  116  passes through the neck  110  to an opening  120 . 
         [0044]    The food delivery apparatus  100  further comprises a plunger  124  configured for fitting into the chamber  106 . The plunger  124  comprises a plug  128  configured for fitting into the funnel member  108 . The upper end  132  of the plug  128  is configured for being received into the channel  116 , thereby plugging the channel  116  and preventing the passage of food therethrough. The plunger also comprises a side wall  136  having an upper edge  140  configured for contacting the inner wall  144  of the food container  104 . The plunger  124  is configured to slide in the chamber  106  for pushing food contained in the chamber  106  through the funnel member  108 , into the channel  116 , and out through the opening  120  into the bowl  148  of the food utensil  112 . The upper edge  140  illustratively slides with little play next to the inner wall  144  such that virtually all of the food is scraped from the inner wall  144  and pushed into the funnel member  108 . A pressure plate  152  is conveniently disposed on the bottom edge  156  of the plunger  124 . Pressure applied to the pressure plate  152  causes the plunger  124  to slide in the chamber  106 , thereby pushing the food as described above. 
         [0045]    Illustratively, the food delivery apparatus  100  further comprises a cap  160  comprising a wall  164  defining a cavity  168 . The cap  160  is configured for fitting over the funnel member  108  and food utensil  112  for protecting them from contamination. An inner wall  172  of the cap  160  is configured for cooperatively associating with a rim  176  at an upper end of the side wall  105  of the food container  104 . Friction of the rim  176  against the inner wall  172  causes the cap  160  to remain in place disposed over the funnel member  108  and the food utensil  112 . 
         [0046]    The food delivery apparatus  100  is used by placing a flowable food, such as mashed potatoes or pureed food, such as a baby food, in the chamber  106 , placing the plunger  124  in the chamber  106  with the plug  128  toward the funnel member  108 , placing the pressure plate  152  at the bottom edge  156  of the plunger  124 , removing the cap  160 , and them applying pressure to the pressure plate  152 , thereby causing the plunger  124  to slide in the chamber  106  such that the food is pushed toward the funnel member  108 . As the plunger  124  slides against the inner wall  144  of the food container  104 , the upper edge  140  of the side wall  136  of the plunger scrapes any food adhering to the inner wall  144  and pushes it toward the funnel member  108 , as well. Continued application of pressure pushes the food into the channel  116 , and eventually the food exits the channel  116  at the opening  120  such that the food is delivered to the bowl  148  of the food utensil  112 . The food is then available to be consumed. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 17-19  show another illustrative food delivery apparatus according to the present invention. The food delivery apparatus  200  comprises a food container  204  comprising a front wall  208 , a back wall  212 , two side walls  216  and  220 , and a bottom  224 , which define a chamber  228  for holding the food. The side walls  216  and  220  and the bottom  224  are pleated in this illustrative embodiment. Further, the food container  204  is made of a flexible material, such as a flexible plastic, so that applying pressure to the front wall  208  and the back wall  212  causes the side walls  216  and  220  and the bottom  224  to bend at the pleats  232 . This bending of the side walls  216  and  220  and the bottom  224  at the pleats results in a reduction of the volume contained in the chamber  228  and squeezing of the food out of the chamber  228 . 
         [0048]    Disposed on the food container  204  is a food utensil  236  comprising a neck  240  and a bowl  244 . The neck  240  is hollow, thus defining a conduit  248 , which is in open communication with the chamber  228  such that food squeezed out of the food container  204  enters the conduit  248 . It will be appreciated that additional squeezing of food out of the chamber  228  causes additional food to move out of the chamber  228  into the conduit  248  and to push food through the conduit  248 . The conduit  248  ends at an opening  252  in the bowl  244 . Food that is pushed through the conduit  248  enters the bowl  244  through this opening  252 . The illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 17-19  also contains a ring  256  disposed around the neck  240 . This ring  256  prevents the bowl  244  from coming into contact with a table or other surface when the food delivery apparatus  200  is placed on such a table or other surface. Thus, the ring  256  assists in keeping the bowl  244  clean from contamination. The ring  256  also prevents a child from placing the bowl  244  too far into the mouth, and thus has a safety function. Further, the ring  256  prevents food from spilling from the opening  252  onto the front wall  208 , back wall  212 , or side walls  216  and  220 . 
         [0049]    The food container  204  and food utensil  236  can be molded as an integral unit such that the food container  204  and the food utensil  236  are made of the same material. 
         [0050]    The food delivery apparatus  200  further comprises a cap  260  ( FIGS. 17-18 ) configured for being placed over the bowl  244  and neck  240  for keeping these parts clean when not in use. The cap  260  comprises a side wall  264  and a top  268 , which define a cavity  272  configured for receiving the bowl  244  and neck  240 . The cap  260  can be made of a rigid material, such as a rigid plastic, such as polycarbonate. 
         [0051]      FIG. 20  shows another illustrative embodiment of a food delivery apparatus according to the present invention. This embodiment of the food delivery apparatus  300  comprises a food container  304  comprising a side wall  308  and a bottom  312 , which define a chamber  316  for holding the food. The food container  304  includes an opening  320  through which the food can be transferred out of the food container  304 . 
         [0052]    Disposed on the food container  304  is a hollow food utensil  324  comprising a lower portion  328 , a neck  332 , and a lid  336 . The lower portion  328  is configured to fit cooperatively over the opening  320  of the food container  304  to form a leak-proof seal. This leak-proof seal can be formed by any method known in the art, such as by heat sealing, by a twist seal, by an appropriate adhesive, and the like. The neck  332  and the lid  336  are separated from each other by a thin-walled section of the wall or break point  340 . 
         [0053]    The cap  344  comprises a wall  348  and a top  352  defining a chamber  356  configured for receiving the lid  336  and neck  332  of the food utensil  324 . 
         [0054]    Illustratively, the food is placed in the food container  304 , and the food utensil  324  and cap  344  are put in place in the factory. The consumer uses the food delivery apparatus  300  by removing the cap  344 , removing the lid  336  at the break point  340 , adding water if needed, replacing the lid  336  and cap  344 , mixing the contents of the food container  304 , then removing the cap  344  and lid  336 , and dispensing the food through the neck  332  for consumption. 
         [0055]      FIG. 21  shows another illustrative embodiment of a food delivery apparatus  400  according to the present invention. This embodiment comprises a base  404 , which is attachable to a food container (not shown). The base comprises a fill door  408  configured for covering a fill port  412 . In this embodiment, the fill port  412  is covered with a removable security seal  416 . Disposed on the base  404  is a food utensil  420  comprising a bowl  424  and a neck  428 . The neck is hollow such that food can flow from the food container to the neck  424 , and from the neck  424  to the bowl  428 . Across the opening of the neck  428  is another security seal  432 . 
         [0056]    This embodiment of the invention is used by opening the fill door  408 , removing the security seal  416 , and pouring water through the fill port  412 . The fill door  408  is then closed, and water is mixed with the food in the food container. Next, the security seal  432  across the neck  428  of the food utensil  420  is removed, and food is squeezed out of the food container, through the neck  428 , and into the bowl  424 , where the food may be eaten by the consumer. 
         [0057]      FIG. 22  shows another illustrative embodiment of the invention. This food delivery apparatus  500  comprises a cap base  504  connected by a hinge  508  to a cap top  512 . The cap base comprises an opening  516 , which is covered by a security seal  520 . Disposed on the cap top  512  is a food utensil  524  comprising a hollow neck  528  on which is disposed a bowl  532 . An anti-spill valve  536  is configured across the hollow neck to prevent spills of food. 
         [0058]    This food delivery apparatus  500  is used by attaching the cap base  504  to a food container (not shown), which is filled with food at the factory. The consumer lifts the cap top  512  to reveal the security seal  520 . The security seal  520  is removed, thus clearing the opening  516 . Water can be poured through the opening  516 , and then the cap top  512  is closed and the water is mixed with the food in the food container. The food is then squeezed out of the food container, through the cap base  504 , through the cap top  512 , through the neck  528 , and into the bowl  532  where it available to be consumed. 
         [0059]    The food delivery apparatus of the present invention can be made by injection molding, blow molding, and other techniques known in the art of molding plastic parts.