Vending machine food bottle with inlet and outlet valve

A food bottle comprising a body member, a top member, a first engagement section, a second engagement section and a feature, is disclosed. The body member comprises a top end and a container section. The top member comprises a neck section and a cap, wherein the neck section comprises a top end and a bottom end. The first engagement section is the section where the top end of the body member engages with the bottom end of the neck section of the top member. The second engagement section is the section where the top end of the neck section of the top member engages with the cap of the top member. The feature can be a valve, plug, vent, or the like.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a food bottle. More specifically, the invention is a food bottle that is a container that contains a food product, which may be resealable, and is suitable for use in a vending machine.

BACKGROUND

The use of vending machines to dispense beverages, as well as food, to the consumer is a common practice at work and public places, schools, recreational areas, and countless other places. However, in recent years challenges have been posed to the beverage vending industry. For example, some schools have banned the sale of sugared beverages, such as pop, soda, and other carbonated beverages, for health reasons. This can leave numerous slots open in the vending machines that once vended such soft drinks. The removal of such soft drinks can create an opportunity to fill these empty slots with another product. However, trying to find an item that has a suitable size and shape that would allow easy replacement into these slots creates a specific problem.

While there are vending machines already on the market that have the ability to vend food products, because of the different types of packaging required or used for these food products, many of the sites that have vending machines require two different machines: one for beverages and one for food items. This need for additional machines leads to increased costs associated with energy consumption and maintenance of these machines. Therefore, it is desirable to have a vending machine that is capable of vending both food items and beverages from one machine.

While some efforts have been made to solve this problem, they have been limited to using aluminum cans to package the food product. This presents certain challenges, for example, such cans are not resealable. A further problem with the use of aluminum cans is associated with the current trend of using bottles in beverage dispensing machines. Aluminum cans are not the same size and shape of current plastic soda bottles. Thus, these cans may pose compatibility issues in dispensing from these beverage bottle vending machines. Therefore, there is a need for a container that can contain food and is compatible with current-style beverage vending machines, where the container can be vended in the same beverage vending machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following embodiments of the food bottle may be used for the purpose of vending a food item from a vending machine that also dispenses beverages. The design of the food bottle allows for its use in a beverage vending machine without any modification to the vending machine. Further, the food bottle may be resealable once the bottle has been opened.

Additionally, the food bottle may be purchased from a retail, wholesale or other store, wherein the consumer may purchase the food bottle and store, use, reuse, transport, etc. food items for the consumer's own benefit. One benefit of the food bottle is the ability to place the food bottle with the food product inside into existing cup holders within a vehicle. This is advantageous to an adult driver or passenger, and also for use by parents and their children. Parents can provide food items, such as snacks, to their children in the backseat or even kid seats by placing the food bottle into preexisting cup holders. The food bottle also has the ability of being resealable so that the top may be placed back onto the body to keep the contents of the food bottle from spilling, dumping, or otherwise coming out of the food bottle.

One embodiment of the food bottle generally relates to a resealable container, wherein the container may be in the form of a plastic bottle. Such food bottle comprises a body member, a top member, a first engagement section, a second engagement section and a feature. The body member comprises a top end and a container section, the container section being such that food items may be disposed within the cavity of the container section.

The top member comprises a neck section and a cap, wherein the neck section comprises a top end and a bottom end. The first engagement section is the section in which the top end of the body member engages with the bottom end of the neck section of the top member. The engagement of the body member and the top member may be through the use of threading wherein the top member can be screwed onto the body member, as well as through the use of complementary mating devices, for example lips, detents, projections, recesses, and the like. Thus, for example, the body member and the top member may be snap-fit together.

The second engagement section is the section where the top end of the neck section of the top member engages with the cap of the top member. The engagement of the top end of the neck section and the cap may be through the use of threading wherein the cap can be screwed onto the top end of the neck section of the top member of the food bottle, or, alternatively, through the use of other coupling devices for example, lips, detents, projections, recesses, and the like.

The feature can be a valve, plug, air hole and the like. The feature can be used to evacuate or otherwise purge the food bottle of air by introducing, for example, an inert gas like nitrogen, into the food bottle to keep the food items from spoiling. Alternatively, instead of just having one feature, an embodiment can have more than one feature, such that one may be a way of dispelling air from the food bottle and the other allows for the filling of an inert gas, such as nitrogen, into the food bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The several embodiments, as shown in the figures, allow the user of the food bottle to have multiple choices of certain features and subcombinations of each embodiment, as there are several choices available relating to the several embodiments. Advantages and embodiments of the food bottle are further illustrated by the following examples, but the particular materials thereof recited in these examples, as well as other conditions and details, should not be construed to unduly limit this invention.

The food bottle100as described more fully below inFIGS. 1-6may be of substantially the same size and shape as that of a typical beverage bottle that is dispensed from a vending machine. The bottle is preferably made from plastics that include but are not limited to polyethylene terephthalate and other recyclable plastics. Alternatively, the bottle can also be made of glass or other suitable materials. The food bottle can be made by vacuum forming, blow molding, and other methods known to those skilled in the art.

The food bottle100alternatively, as described more fully below inFIG. 7, can be of the same shape of a beverage bottle and of varying sizes, such that a consumer may purchase the food bottle from a retail outlet, wholesale outlet or other store, for the consumer's use in storing and transporting food products.

FIG. 1Ais a perspective side view of an embodiment of a body member102of a food bottle. The body102can include a top end104and container section106The top end104can include male threading such that the top end104can be releasably engaged with the top member108of a food bottle100, as more fully described inFIG. 1Bbelow. The container section106can be used to house food items within the cavity of the container section106.

FIG. 1Bis a perspective side view of an embodiment of a top member108of a food bottle100. The top member108can include a neck section110and cap112. The neck section110can include a top end114and a bottom end116. The top end114can be of a smaller diameter than the bottom end116, wherein the neck section110increases in diameter from the top end114to the bottom end116. The top end114can include male threading such that the top end114can be screwed into the cap112, wherein the cap112can include female threading such that the cap112can be releasably engaged with the top end114. Alternatively, the cap112can be permanently engaged with the top end114, such that the cap112cannot be removed from the top end114.

The bottom end116can include female threading (not shown), wherein the bottom end116can be engaged with the top end104of the body member102of the food bottle. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the bottom end116of the top member108may be releasably engaged with top end104of the body member102of the food bottle by a series of recesses, projections, detents, a lip, and the like.

The neck section110can also include a feature118, wherein the feature118can be used to evacuate or purge air from the food bottle, for example, by replacing the air within the food bottle with nitrogen, or other suitable inert gas known to those skilled in the art, for the use of storing food items in a sealed container. The feature118can be a valve, a plug, or the like, such that the replacement of air by, for example, nitrogen can be accomplished.

FIG. 1Cis a perspective top view of an embodiment of a top member108of a food bottle including the neck section110, the cap112, and the feature118.

FIG. 2is an exploded view of an embodiment of a food bottle, including a feature118. The embodiment can comprise a body member102, a top member108, and a feature118. The body member102can include a top end104, which top end104has male threading. The top member108can include a bottom end116, which bottom end116has female threading (not shown) such that the bottom end116of the top member108can be releasably engaged with the top end104of the body member102.

The top member108can also include a feature118. The feature118can be used to evacuate or purge air from the food bottle, for example, by replacing the air within the food bottle with nitrogen, or other suitable inert gas known to those skilled in the art, for the use of storing food items in a sealed container. The feature118can be a valve, a plug, or the like, such that the replacement of air by, for example, nitrogen can be accomplished.

FIG. 3is an exploded view of an embodiment of a food bottle100, including a removable seal120. The embodiment can comprise a body member102, a top member108, and a seal120. The body member102can include a top end104, which top end104has male threading. The top member108can include a bottom end116, which bottom end116has female threading (not shown) such that the bottom end116of the top member108can be releasably engaged with the top end104of the body member102.

A seal120can be placed between the body member102and the top member108, such that the seal120can cover the body member102, wherein the seal120is releasably attached to the top surface of the top end104of the body member102. The seal120can be made out of paper, foil, plastic, and the like, or any combination thereof. The seal120can be attached to the top surface of the top end104by use of an adhesive or the like. In operation, the seal120remains firmly attached to the body102until a user removes the seal120from the top end104of the body102to gain access to the enclosed food items. The seal120can provide a means for vacuum or otherwise sealing the food items within the body member102of the food bottle.

FIG. 4is an exploded view of an embodiment of a food bottle100, including a gasket122. This embodiment of a food bottle may comprise a body member102, a top member108, and a gasket122. The body member102can include a top end104, which top end104has male threading. The top member108can include a bottom end116, which bottom end116has female threading (not shown) such that the bottom end116of the top member108can be releasably engaged with the top end108of the body member102.

A gasket122can be disposed between the body member102and the top member108, a first engagement section, such that when the top member108and body member102are coupled together, the gasket122forms a seal. The gasket122can be an o-ring, a washer-type seal, and the like. The gasket122can be made out of rubber, synthetic plastic, a composite type material or other suitable material. The gasket122can be coupled to the top end104of the body member102by use of an adhesive or the like. Alternatively, the gasket can be coupled to the bottom end116of the top member108by use of an adhesive or the like. In operation, the gasket122can be used to prevent the accidental or intentional detachment of the top member108from the body member102. The gasket122can also be used as a seal to prevent leakage of, for example, liquid contents of the food bottle from escaping between the threading of the top end104and the bottom end116when the top member108is coupled to the body member102.

Although not depicted in the figure, a gasket122can also be placed between the top end114of the neck section110of the top member108and the cap112, wherein the cap112is releasably engaged with the neck section110, a second engagement section. In operation, the gasket122can be used to prevent the accidental or intentional detachment of the cap112from the neck section110. The gasket122can also be used as a seal to prevent leakage of, for example, liquid contents of the food bottle from escaping between the threading of the cap112and the neck section110.

The top member108can also include a feature118. The feature118can be used to evacuate or purge air from the food bottle, for example, by replacing the air within the food bottle with nitrogen, or other suitable inert gas known to those skilled in the art, for the use of storing food items in a sealed container. The feature118can be a valve, a plug, or the like, such that the replacement of air by, for example, nitrogen can be accomplished. The top member108can also comprise a cover124, such that the cover124can be used to cover the feature118.

FIG. 5is an exploded view of an embodiment of a food bottle100, including a sealing band126. This embodiment of a food bottle100can comprise a body member102, a top member108, and a sealing band126. The body member102can include a top end104, which top end104has male threading. The top member108can include a bottom end116, which bottom end116has female threading (not shown) such that the bottom end116of the top member108can be releasably engaged with the top end104of the body member102.

A sealing band126can be placed around the body member102and the top member108, such that the band126overlaps both the body member102and the top member108at the area of the food bottle100where the body member102and the top member108are coupled to each other, a first engagement section. The sealing band126can be of multiple forms, such as a heat-activated sealing plastic or other material, wherein the band126is placed around the food bottle100at the first engagement section and heat is applied to the band126such that the band126shrinks to fit snuggly against the food bottle100overlapping the first engagement section. In another embodiment, the sealing band126can be an adhesive strip, such that the band126wraps around the food bottle100at the first engagement section and overlaps on itself. One advantage of the sealing band126is it can form an airtight seal around the food bottle100at the point of attachment of the body member102to the top member108. Another advantage of the sealing band126is as a safety precaution to detect if there has been any tampering of the food bottle and/or its contents.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of an embodiment of a food bottle100. This embodiment comprises a body member102, a top member108, a first engagement section128, wherein the body member102and the top member108are releasably engaged with each other, and a second engagement section130, wherein the top end114of the neck section110of the top member108engages with the cap112of the top member108. This embodiment can include one or more or any combination of additional components as set forth in the above figures, including one or more features118, a seal120, a gasket122, a feature cover124, and/or a sealing band126, as well as any other or additional components for use in the vending of the food bottle.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of an embodiment of a food bottle100, wherein the embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment as depicted inFIG. 6, comprising a body member102, a top member108, a cap112, a first engagement section128and a second engagement section130. The food bottle can be made of a hard plastic, such as high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and the like, wherein the food bottle can be reusable. Either or both of the first and second engagement sections128,130can be releasably engaged such that the top member108can be removed from the body member102and the cap112can be removed from the neck section110. The top member108can comprise at least two features118a,118b, such that both features118a,118bare located in the neck section110. One feature118acan be used as an air outlet, such that air within the food bottle100can be expelled from within the food bottle100. The other feature118bcan be used as an inlet for an inert gas, such as nitrogen.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of an embodiment of a food bottle100, wherein the embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment as depicted inFIG. 6, comprising a body member102, a top member108, a cap112, a first engagement section128and a second engagement section130. The food bottle can be made of a hard plastic, such as high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and the like, wherein the food bottle100can be reusable. Either or both of the first and second engagement sections128,130can be releasably engaged such that the top member108can be removed from the body member102and the cap112can be removed from the neck section110. The top member108can comprise at least two features118a,118b, such that both features118a,118bare located in the top member108with one feature118alocated in the cap112and the other feature118blocated in the neck section110. One feature118acan be used as an air outlet, such that air within the food bottle100can be expelled from within the food bottle100. The other feature118bcan be used as an inlet for an inert gas, such as nitrogen.

FIG. 9is a perspective view of an embodiment of a food bottle100, including a pump132. The embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment as depicted inFIG. 8, comprising a body member102, a top member108, a cap112, a first engagement section128and a second engagement section130. The food bottle can be made of a hard plastic, such as high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and the like, wherein the food bottle100can be reusable. Either or both of the first and second engagement sections128,130can be releasably engaged such that the top member108can be removed from the body member102and the cap112can be removed from the neck section110.

The top member108can comprise of at least two features118a(not shown),118b, such that both features118a(not shown),118bare located in the top member108with one feature118a(not shown) located in the cap112(not shown) and the other feature118blocated in the neck section110. One feature118a(not shown) can be used as an air outlet, such that air within the food bottle100can be expelled from within the food bottle100. The other feature118bcan be used as an inlet for an inert gas, such as nitrogen.

Additionally, a pump132can be used in connection with the food bottle100such that the pump132can be attached to the top member108, such that the pump encapsulates the cap112and a feature, such as118a(not shown), to pump air out of the food bottle100. Where the food bottle100is made out of a type of plastic, the pump132can be used to remove some of the air within the food bottle, as removal of all of the air to create a vacuum seal can cause the food bottle to cave-in on itself. However, where the food bottle is made out of glass, the pump132can be used to pump substantially all air out of the food bottle100to create a vacuum seal within the food bottle100. The pump132can be mechanical or electrical, powered by battery or an electrical cord that is plugged into a socket.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of an embodiment of a food bottle100, including a pump132. The embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment as depicted inFIG. 9. The pump132can be such that when the food bottle100is not in use by a consumer, the pump132can be stored within the cavity of the body member102.

Various embodiments of systems, devices and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For example, the coupling of the body member100to the top member106is described as coupling to one another through the use of threaded surfaces; however, other coupling devices, for example, projections, recesses, detents, a lip, snap-fit devices, and the like are contemplated. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, feature locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the invention.

Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the invention may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the invention may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the invention may comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art.