Abstract:
The invention comprises a jar or storage container that has a moveable bottom platform with one vertical degree of translation. This will add the ability to move all of the jar&#39;s contents up or down, depending on the position of the bottom platform. For example, if some of the contents within the jar are removed then the moveable bottom can be shifted up to a higher location in order to bring the remaining contents back to the top.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to storage devices such as jars, in particular storage devices incorporating a moveable bottom.  
         [0002]     1. Background  
         [0003]     In the past, the conventional means for storing perishable foods has involved the use of glass, plastic and metal jars and cans which have an inherent oxygen barrier characteristic.  
         [0004]     One problem with conventional storage means is that when an item that it is being stored in, such as salsa dip or peanut butter, is running low, it makes it difficult to reach the bottom of the jar (whether you are using a spoon or any other device or food such as a chip) and scoop up the contents. This is not efficient and can cause messes and spills.  
         [0005]     2. Description of Prior Art  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,474 by Leigner and issued on Mar. 3, 1992 is for a “Plastic jar.” It discloses a lightweight plastic jar having outwardly convex front end and back walls, each having a relatively large radius of curvature, and a pair of side walls having relatively large planar portions capable of controlled inward deflection to accommodate decreases in the interior volume of the jar. The jar is configured to facilitate dispensing of product while also providing strength, efficient use of space in packing with like containers, and an attractive appearance.  
         [0007]     The need for a device that allows an efficient and easy method to reach items from a bottom of a jar shows that there is still room for improvement in the art.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention relates to a jar or storage container that allows an efficient and easy method to reach items from a bottom of ajar by having a movable bottom.  
         [0009]     The invention comprises ajar or storage container that has a moveable bottom platform with one vertical degree of translation. This will add the ability to move all of the jar&#39;s contents up or down, depending on the position of the bottom platform. For example, if some of the contents within the jar are removed then the moveable bottom can be shifted up to a higher location in order to bring the remaining contents back to the top.  
         [0010]     The invention provides the ability to shift the contents of the jar to a higher or lower position within the jar or storage device. If the jar&#39;s contents are low, it will be helpful to move the bottom platform of the jar to a higher position so that it will be easier to reach the contents. For example, let us assume that the jar contains a substance such as salsa dip. When the salsa dip is running low, it makes it difficult to reach the bottom of the jar (whether you are using a spoon or any other device) and scoop up the contents. Adding a moveable-bottom platform to the jar, one can shift the platform to a higher position causing the salsa dip to come all the way to the rim of the jar, and thus scoop out the contents without any difficulty. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     Without restricting the full scope of this invention, the preferred form of this invention is illustrated in the following drawings:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows the basis for the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  shows the device with a spring base;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  shows the device with a wedge configuration; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  shows the device with a tooth shelf configuration. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     The following description is demonstrative in nature and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or its application of uses.  
         [0017]     There are a number of significant design features and improvements incorporated within the invention.  
         [0018]     The word “jar” as used in this description means either a true jar or a container in general, such as a bottle, a can or the like. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the invention is a jar  1  or container with a moveable bottom  30  which provides the ability to shift the contents  35  of the jar  1  to a higher or lower position within the jar  1 . If the jar&#39;s contents  35  are low, the user can move the bottom platform  30  of the jar  1  to a higher position so that it will be easier to reach the contents  35  such as salsa or peanut butter. In the current invention, by adding a moveable-bottom platform to the jar  1 , one can shift the platform  30  to a higher position causing the salsa dip to come all the way to the rim of the jar  1 , and thus scoop out the contents  35  without any difficulty. As with a typical jar or storage container  1 , it has an outer wall  10  and an inner wall  20 . The movable platform  30  has a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of the jar&#39;s inner wall  20  so that it can move perpendicular to the jar&#39;s inner wall  20 . The jar  1  can have a flexible lining  70  made of plastic or some other material that can serve to hold the contents  35  within the jar  1  especially if it is a liquid.  
         [0019]     The jar  1  or container can have a top such as a typical screw cap top or pop top or any other top that is standard in the industry and not disclosed in great detail here.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  displays ajar  1  with a movable bottom platform  30  that utilizes a spring system. The spring system uses a spring  40  that is located between the bottom of the movable platform  30  and the bottom  60  of the jar  1 .  FIG. 2  also displays the top, bottom and side views of the movable platform used in the spring system. In the preferred embodiment, the spring tension would be properly balanced as to counter the gravitational force of the contents  35  so that as the contents  35  of the container or jar  1  are removed the movable platform  30  moves up towards the top of the jar  1 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  displays ajar  1  which uses a wedge system moving the movable bottom. In the wedge system the jar  1  has a plurality of wedges  50  on the inner walls  20  of the jar  1 . In the preferred embodiment these wedges are located ⅓ and ⅔ up to the side of the jar  1  from the bottom  60 . The wedges  50  in the preferred embodiment are made of a flexible material and are angled from the bottom of said wedge  50  to the top of said wedge  50  with the top of said wedge being flat and perpendicular to the jar&#39;s inner wall  20  with said wedge  50  being a thin construction. In the preferred embodiment there are four wedges  50  at the ⅓ and the ⅔ jar levels at each of the 90 degree angles from the center. In the preferred embodiment the wedges have the ability to shift position is a motion like a rotation around an axis with the axis being the center of the wedge  50  where the wedge  50  is attached to the inner wall. In the wedge system the movable disk  130  is thinner in the preferred embodiment and made of a flexible but strong material. The wedge system uses the flexible lining  70 . The bottom  60  of the jar  1  has a hole  160 . The user uses this hole  160  to push the movable disk  130  from the bottom to the next level of hinges  50 .  
         [0022]     Another embodiment is a tooth shelf system as shown in  FIG. 4 . In the tooth shelf system the jar  1  has a plurality of teeth  90  on the inner walls  20  of the jar  1 . In the preferred embodiment these teeth are located ⅓ and ⅔ up to the side of the jar  1  from the bottom. In the preferred embodiment, there are three teeth  90  at the ⅓ and the ⅔ jar levels at each of the 120 degree angles from the center. In the tooth shelf system the movable platform  180  has a plurality of slots  190 , three in the preferred embodiment that correspond with the teeth  90  of the jar  1 . It also has a pole  100  that is perpendicular to the movable platform  80  and attached to the center of the movable platform  80  with a balled area  105  at the end of the pole  100 . The user uses the balled end  105  of pole  100  to pull the movable platform  80  up and to align the slots  190  with the teeth  90 , pull the movable platform  80  past the teeth  90 , turn the movable platform  80  so that the movable platform  80  rests on the teeth.  
         [0023]     The jar  1  or container can be made of any durable material such as plastic, glass or metal.  
         [0024]     Operation  
         [0025]     The invention provides the ability to shift the contents  35  of the jar  1  to a higher or lower position within the jar or storage device  1 . If the jar&#39;s contents  35  are low, it will be helpful to move the bottom platform  30  of the jar  1  to a higher position so that it will be easier to reach the contents  35 . The user can shift the platform  30  to a higher position causing the item to come all the way to the rim of the jar  1 , and thus reach the contents  35  without any difficulty.  
         [0026]     Advantages  
         [0027]     The previously described version of the present invention has many advantages. The device allows an efficient and easy method to reach items from a bottom of a jar.  
         [0028]     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the point and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.  
         [0029]     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.  
         [0030]     With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.  
         [0031]     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.