Abstract:
Containers for foodstuffs which are resealable and have an elevating lift therein. The lift is preferably operated by an operator that fits within the container to prevent loss of freshness of the foodstuff or other contents. One operator uses a slot or groove which winds at least partially around a tubular operator which is engaged by a follower that extends from the elevator lift. The follower may also engage with a feature on an inside wall of the container to prevent rotation of the lift and provide relative longitudinal motion between the lift platform upon which chips or other foodstuffs are supported so that the contents can be adjusted for easy access. A removable lid allows controlled opening and closing or resealing of the container to keep the foodstuff contents fresh when not being dispensed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES  
       [0001]     This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/076,386 filed Mar. 9, 2005. Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 or as otherwise provided by law is claimed. Such prior application is incorporated by reference entirely. Applicant further reserves the right to withdraw this priority claim. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The technical field of the inventions relate to relatively small or manually operated dispensing containers having an interior lift for raising contents, particularly foodstuffs, for easier removal by a user.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     There are a number of different foodstuffs that are provided in sealed containers which have a removable cap that can be remounted to reseal the container. Some of these containers are used to contain manufactured potato chips. As many have experienced when eating various brands of potato chips which are packaged in this manner, the relatively small tubular size used to laterally contain the potato chips in a stacked configuration is relatively small in diameter and this makes it difficult to manually extract the chips after a portion have been previously removed.  
         [0004]     Another problem many people encounter with containers is that as the chips are removed and what becomes the top chip recedes downwardly, the chips become increasingly difficult to grasp. This leads to shaking of the container and upsetting it to obtain the contents. This results in breakage of the chips and then the broken chips are usually poured out onto one&#39;s hand and small pieces of the potato chips pass through the hand and onto the floor. This also requires the person eating the last of the chips to hold his or her hand to their mouth. Some might consider this poor etiquette or poor manners. Others just find it sloppy and messy.  
         [0005]     Such problems may also exist with other products to an extent that the tubular containers are not favored by the manufacturer. Such products might include corn chips, cookies, crackers, dough, other food items, or even non-food items.  
         [0006]     Prior attempts to address these problems have been to shorten the height of the containers. This improves access to some degree, but significantly increases the costs associated with packaging. For example, one company well-known for this type of packaging for potato chips has come out with a six-pack of small containers which are short enough to allow easy access. However, each of these reduced size packages has to be filled, safety sealed and provided with an individual cap and canister. This is demonstrative of the level of ordinary skill in this art. Other approaches may also have been attempted, but to date none has fully addressed the problems to the complete satisfaction of consumers. Concerns about these issues have been expressed for many years to those choosing to package products in this manner. Some manufacturers have not adopted this type of product and packaging because of consumer frustration over the breakage of the theoretically “perfect” potato or other chip or foodstuff.  
         [0007]     Thus, there has been a long-felt need in the container art for an inexpensive, and/or manually operated dispensing container that provides better access to remove products or product pieces held in a tubular or other suitably shaped container. This need has been particularly acute where the contents are preferably removed by first removing a container cap which is used to seal the container and protect the sealed contents after such contents have been dispensed.  
         [0008]     Some or all of the problems explained above and other problems may be helped or solved by the inventions shown and described herein. Such inventions may also be used to address other problems not set out above or which develop or are appreciated at a later time. The future may also bring to light unknown or currently unappreciated benefits which may be in the future be recognized or appreciated from the novel inventions shown and described herein.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     Preferred forms, configurations, embodiments and/or diagrams relating to and helping to describe preferred versions of the inventions are explained and characterized herein, often with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and all features shown therein also serve as part of the disclosure of the inventions of the current application whether described in text or merely by graphical disclosure alone. Such drawings are briefly described below.  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a container having novel features according to the inventions taught herein. A portion of the container has been removed to show additional aspects and features of the inventions.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top view showing the interior lift in isolation of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the interior lift of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a front sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the operator of  FIG. 1  in isolation.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the operator of  FIG. 1  in isolation.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the container structure of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the container of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view showing the assembly of  FIG. 1  with the elevator lift in a low position.  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view showing the assembly of  FIG. 1  with the elevator lift in a partially raised position relative to the position of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of a second embodiment implementing features and aspects of the inventions described herein.  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the assembled container shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 14  is an exploded view of a third embodiment implementing further features and aspects of the inventions described herein.  
         [0024]      FIG. 15  is a top view of the third embodiment of  FIG. 14 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 16  is a sectional view taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 17  is an exploded sectional view of a fourth embodiment according to inventions hereof.  
         [0027]      FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view showing key components of a fifth embodiment according to the inventions hereof.  
         [0028]      FIG. 19  is an exploded sectional view of the embodiment shown in part in  FIG. 18 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 20  is a sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 19  with a cap installed thereon and the lift mechanism moved upwardly relative to the position of the lift as shown in  FIG. 19 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0000]     Table Listing Subsections of Detailed Description  
         [0030]     A table of subsections for the detailed description is set out below.  
                                                                                                                                                                 Table of Subsections                                    Table Listing Subsections of Detailed Description           Introductory Notes           First Embodiment and Some Common Features                General Configuration           Cannister Portion and Closure Cap           Lift Assembly           Lift Operator           Lift Anti-Rotation Features                Second Embodiment                Generally           Cannister           Cap or Closure           Lift Assembly           Operator           Longitudinal Retainer           Tubular Operator Flexibility Features                Third Embodiment                Plural Camming or Operating Features           Lift Assembly With Plural Guide Extensions           Lift Position Indicator                Fourth Embodiment                Operator Tube           Safety Seal           Removable Cap                Fifth Embodiment                Cannister           Cannister Lift Operator Features           Inner Part or Tube           Lift                More About Methods Performed and Manners of Use                Methods Concerning Manner of Use           Manner of Use of Fifth Embodiment                More about Preferred Manners of Making           Interpretation Notes                      
 
 Introductory Notes 
 
         [0031]     The readers of this document should understand that the embodiments described herein may rely on terminology used in any section of this document and other terms readily apparent from the drawings and the language common therefor as may be known in a particular art and such as known or indicated and provided by dictionaries. Dictionaries were used in the preparation of this document. Widely known and used in the preparation hereof are Webster&#39;s Third New International Dictionary (©1993), The Oxford English Dictionary (Second Edition, © 1989 ), and The New Century Dictionary (©2001-2005), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference for interpretation of terms used herein and for application and use of words defined in such references to more adequately or aptly describe various features, aspects and concepts shown or otherwise described herein using more appropriate words having meanings applicable to such features, aspects and concepts.  
         [0032]     This document is premised upon using one or more terms or features shown in one embodiment that may also apply to or be combined with other embodiments for similar structures, functions, features and aspects of the invention and provide additional embodiments of the inventions. The readers of this document should further understand that the embodiments described herein may rely on terminology and features used in any section or embodiment shown in this document and other terms readily apparent from the drawings and language common or proper therefor.  
         [0033]     Wording used in the claims is also descriptive of the invention and the text of both claims and abstract are incorporated by reference into the description entirely in the form as originally filed. Terminology used with one, some or all embodiments may be used for describing and defining the technology and exclusive rights associated herewith.  
       First Embodiment and Some Common Features  
       [0034]     General Configuration  
         [0035]      FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of apparatus or assembly  1  according to some of the inventions set out herein. Apparatus  1  is used for both containing and elevating contents held within a container body to form a combined container and dispenser apparatus. This apparatus is generally referred to by the reference number  1 .  
         [0036]     The assembly has an outer piece which forms a container body or canister  51  and a removable cap or other suitable closure  52 . The cap or other closure preferably snaps onto and off of the open end of the container body or canister. Alternatively, other types of closures having threads, bayonet features or other means adapted for securing the closure to the canister. Additionally, there may be a safety seal (not shown) applied after packing the canister to assure the consumer that the product has not been opened and contents removed, tampered with or adulterated in any manner.  
         [0037]     An operator  30  is positioned within the container interior and can be manipulated to allow torque to be applied thereto. The operator preferably has a slot or groove  32  which curves up the side of the operator and engages with a follower  15  extending from the lift. The slot or groove  32  has an upper edge  33  and a lower edge  34 . As  FIG. 1  illustrates the lower edge  34  may be provided with serrations, teeth or other mechanisms, such as simply friction, to help or prevent the lift from descending after the lift is elevated if such is desired.  
         [0038]     The container also preferably includes a longitudinal feature or features which restrict or prevent rotary movement of the end of the follower, thus keeping the lift assembly from rotating with the operator tube. The operator is turned in the appropriate direction and the lift moves upwardly as the follower is pushed up by the helically curved or otherwise appropriately shaped slot or groove. The serrations described above may also be configured and constructed to provide resistance to keep the lift at a given elevation or maintain it at a desired elevation yet allow any retraction into the container which might be desired as depends upon the contents and dispensing and/or sealed containment functions may best be employed.  
         [0039]     Canister Portion and Closure Cap  
         [0040]     The container  1  has a canister portion  51 . Canister  51  is preferably elongated, and more preferably tubular. The tubular configuration is desirably provided with a consistent cross-sectional size and shape. As shown, the canister is cylindrical and can otherwise be suitably shaped to allow operation of the apparatus.  
         [0041]     Canister  51  is preferably adapted to engage with a cap or closure  52  to form a substantially sealed interior when the cap or other closure is installed upon or closed with the canister.  
         [0042]     Lift Assembly  
         [0043]      FIGS. 2-4  in particular show one preferred lift assembly  10 . As shown, lift assembly  10  includes a floor  12  surrounded by an annular sidewall  11 . The floor  12  supports foodstuffs, such as potato chips  5  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The annular sidewall helps to maintain proper positioning of foodstuff pieces  5  or other contents and reduces the risk of breakage or other damage. It also facilitates co-linear sliding within the operator, such as operator tube  31 .  
         [0044]     The lower surface of the floor is preferably recessed to form a lift bottom recess  14 . An aperture  16  allows a rod or other appropriately shaped follower  15  to extend from the lift assembly. The follower  15  may be adhered to, otherwise affixed, or be part of the lift assembly. The follower is intended to be maintained within a groove  53  described more fully below.  
         [0045]     Lift Operator  
         [0046]     The preferred apparatus has an operator  30 . Operator  30  advantageously includes an operator feature for moving the lift assembly up and down. As shown, the operator has a feature which forces the follower in response to torque or turning force applied thereto. As shown, such feature is advantageously in the form of a slot  32  or groove formed in the sidewall of the operator tube  31 . The slot  32  shown may include serrated teeth or serrations  34  along the lower portions of the slot. The upper edge  33  of the slot  32  may be smooth or otherwise desirably shaped. The extending portion of the lift follower  15  is engaged with the operator slot or other suitable feature, thus moving the lift assembly up or down as the operator tube is rotated.  
         [0047]     To facilitate smooth action, the operator is preferably cylindrically shaped as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  for rotary and/or longitudinal movement within the container interior cavity. Alternative mechanical operators are also possible.  
         [0048]     Lift Anti-Rotation Features  
         [0049]     Canister  51  advantageously includes a lift anti-rotator in the form of guide feature  53  along an inner or inside wall. As shown, the guide feature is a groove  53  which receives the distal end of the follower  15 . The guide keeps the lift assembly from rotating as the operator is turned to raise or lower the lift assembly. This allows the operator slot or groove to move the lift assembly elevationally.  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0050]     Generally  
         [0051]      FIGS. 12 and 13  show a second preferred embodiment according to the inventions hereof. Corresponding features used in container and dispenser apparatus  101  are labeled using reference numbers that are the same as used in the first embodiment with an added  100 . Thus, such common features to both apparatuses  1  and  101  will not be repeated for sake of brevity. Significantly differing features included in apparatus  101  will now be described in greater.  
         [0052]     Canister  
         [0053]     Canister  151  is similar to canister  51  but modified by providing a canister groove or furrow  161  that preferably extends about the periphery. As shown, this is implemented by placing the furrow  161  near the upper portion of the canister. The function of this modification is further described below.  
         [0054]     Canister  151  also has a guide  153  which is also described in further detail below.  
         [0055]     Cap or Closure  
         [0056]      FIGS. 12 and 13  show that the cap  152  or other suitable closure is somewhat differently shaped than cap  52 . It is advantageously provided with a seal  154 . Seal  154  and cap  152  are constructed so as to retain the seal  154  in position within the cap by a peripheral wall having an inward extension  155 . Seal  154  is advantageously a flexible or resilient seal which may be made of a variety of suitable materials, in particular food grade elastomeric materials in the form of an O-ring. A variety of suitable materials are known in the art.  
         [0057]     Lift Assembly  
         [0058]      FIGS. 12 and 13  show a modified lift assembly  110 . Lift assembly  110  has a floor  112  which is at or toward the top and with depending side walls  111 . The follower  115  extends outwardly and is received in the camming slot  132  in a manner similar to the first embodiment.  
         [0059]     Operator  
         [0060]     Apparatus  101  operates in a manner very similar to apparatus  1 . It differs therefrom with regard to the longitudinal retainer described in detail below.  FIG. 12  indicates that the preferred operator is in the form of a camming slot  132  with serrations (not illustrated) along the lower portion  134  of the slot  132 . The upper edge of the slot  133  is spaced from the lower portion by a distance that allows the follower  115  to be moved by tubular operator  131 . Cam slot  132  forces the lift assembly as the operator tube is rotated.  
         [0061]     The follower  115  is held by retainer  160  and thus the lift assembly  110  is forced to move upwardly when properly turned. The lift assembly  110  does not rotate with the tubular operator because of the engagement between follower  115  and the longitudinal retainer  160 .  
         [0062]     Longitudinal Retainer  
         [0063]     Another aspect that the second embodiment differs with regard to the first embodiment is by preferably having a longitudinal retainer  160 . The longitudinal retainer helps to retain the operator tube  131  in proper longitudinal position relative to the canister  151 . As shown, this is provided by having the canister retainer groove or furrow  161  formed along the interior wall of the canister. In the embodiment illustrated, the retainer furrow is provided by having the canister wall formed to a larger diameter at both the interior wall and exterior wall of the canister. Other configurations may serve to also be suitable.  
         [0064]     The longitudinal retainer  160  also includes a projection  162  formed about the tubular operator. Other complementary relationships can also be used relative to the canister and operator to help the longitudinal position to be maintained in a nearly or totally restrained condition to aid operation and also possibly help prevent breakage of the fragile contents, such as potato or other chips.  
         [0065]     Tubular Operator Flexibility Features  
         [0066]     To allow assembly of the tubular operator into the canister, the upper portion of the operator has not only the projection  162 , but also flexibility slots  141 . Slots  141  are provided at various circumferential positions to provide the needed flexibility so as to allow assembly of the operator tube  131  into the canister  151 .  
       Third Embodiment  
       [0067]     Plural Camming or Operating Features  
         [0068]      FIGS. 14-16  illustrate a third preferred embodiment according to inventions described herein. Apparatus  201  is constructed in most respects similar to the second embodiment  101 . Similar features with other embodiments are numbered similarly except they have  200  added thereto and therefore not repeated in their description.  
         [0069]     The primary differences are with regard to having a plurality of camming features. The plural camming features are used to aid or improve in balanced operation of the lift assembly.  
         [0070]     As shown, apparatus  201  has not only a camming or operating slot  232 , but also one or more camming or operating features  272 ,  274  and  276 . The features  272 ,  274  and  276  are in the form of grooves which receive the alignment projections  271 ,  273  and  275  which are on lift  210 . The projection  215  extends through a slot  232  which is open through the operator tube. As the operator is rotated or otherwise moved, then force is transferred from the operator to the lift and the lift is moved upwardly with plural points of force application. The plural points of force application are preferably spaced about the operator and the engagement locations. Even more preferably, the plural points of force application between the operator and lift are approximately evenly spaced, such as at approximately evenly spaced angular positions about the operator when in the form of a tubular operator. As  FIG. 15  indicates this is conveniently done at approximately 90 degree angularly spaced positions. Alternatively, other numbers of force application and engagement positions and configurations made be used as is suitable to provide the degree of smoothness is operation as desired.  
         [0071]     Lift Assembly With Plural Guide Extensions  
         [0072]      FIGS. 14-16  further show that the lift assembly is constructed to provide an anti-rotation extension  215  which is received in a guide tract  253 . Additionally, the lift assembly has plural guide extensions  271 ,  273 ,  275  at spaced positions about the lift assembly as explained above. As shown the guide extensions are spaced at quarter points of the lift assembly when combined with the anti-rotation extension  215 . The plural guides are preferably spaced at approximately equal angular positions. This configuration provides the operator tube with application of force more equally distributed about the lift for smoother operation.  
         [0073]     In the preferred version shown, the extensions  271 ,  273  and  275  extend from mounting arms defined by cutout regions  280 . The mounting arms provide dimensional flexibility which facilitate assembly and operation of the lift assembly  210  into and by the operator tube  251 .  
         [0074]     In another aspect it should be appreciated that by using only one slot  232  and other camming features  271 ,  273  and  275  which are solid, then the strength and structural rigidity of the operator, such as operator tube  230 , can be maintained at a higher strength and rigidity for a given amount of material used.  
         [0075]     Lift Position Indicator  
         [0076]      FIGS. 14-16  and  FIG. 16  in particular shows that the operator tube  230  has an upper end or brim  239  which extends longitudinally beyond the upper end  259  of the canister portion. This extended brim may be marked with a suitable arrow, line or other indicator which is moved relative to a canister indicator on end  259  to provide a visual indication of the approximate relative position of the operator tube in relation to the canister. Exemplary indicator markings can be included that indicate the canister is full, at some intermediate position, or near the top for the convenience of the user.  
       Fourth Embodiment  
       [0077]      FIG. 17  shows a fourth embodiment  301  otherwise like the third embodiment  201  except as described next. Similar features with other embodiments are numbered similarly except they have  300  added thereto and therefore not repeated in their description.  
         [0078]     Operator Tube  
         [0079]     Fourth embodiment  301  has an operator tube  331  and canister  351  which have top edges  339  and  359 , respectfully, which extend about the opening. The top edges are advantageously made so that they are at or nearly equal with regard to their longitudinal position. Thus, the operator tube does not extend outside the canister.  
         [0080]     Safety Seal  
         [0081]     The fourth embodiment also advantageously includes a safety seal  388  which has a removal tab  389 . The safety seal  388  is adhered otherwise suitable attached to the upper ends of the operator tube  331  and canister  351 . A removal tab  389  is advantageously included to allow a user to manually grasp the safety seal and pull it from the apparatus to reveal the opening. The safety seal is intended to prevent tampering or adulteration of the contents. It is removed upon initial or first opening and then discarded.  
         [0082]     Removable Cap  
         [0083]     After the safety seal has been initially removed the cap  352  is used by installing or re-installing it onto the canister and remaining parts of the apparatus to effectively reseal the interior chamber. Cap  352  is removed to allow removal of the foodstuffs or other contents. Removal of cap  352  also allows a user to manually insert the users fingers or otherwise suitable apply force or torque to the operator and thereby operate the lift.  
       Fifth Embodiment  
       [0084]      FIGS. 18-20  show a fifth preferred embodiment  401  according to inventions taught herein. Similar features with other embodiments are numbered similarly except they have  400  added thereto and therefore not repeated in their description.  
         [0085]     Canister  
         [0086]     The fifth embodiment apparatus  401  has a lower or canister portion  451  which is similar to the canister  351  of the fourth embodiment. The areas of difference will now be described.  
         [0087]     Canister  451  advantageously has a longitudinal restraint feature  461  used to help maintain the relative longitudinal position between canister  451  and the inner member  431 . As shown, the inner member has a projecting rib  462  which extends into a receiving furrow  461  as is explained hereinabove in detail.  
         [0088]     Canister  451  differs in that it is provided with features that form part of the operator. More specifically, the canister may have and preferably does have features which function as part of the operator used to move the lift  410 .  
         [0089]     Canister Lift Operator Features  
         [0090]     The preferred features of the canister  451  which serve as part of the operator are advantageously used to force the lift  410 . As shown, this is advantageously done in the form of inwardly extending features, such as the inwardly extending projections which are shaped to help move the lift longitudinally in response to movement, such as rotation of the inner member or tube  431 . As shown, this is done using advancing projections, such as a series of helical projections  490 ,  492 ,  494 , and  496 . Such projections are advantageously formed so as to extend twice around the interior wall of the canister. This configuration can also be considered a four lead interior thread configuration which moves the lift  410  from near the low position to the top position after two relative rotations between the inner part or tube  431  and the outer or canister part  451 .  
         [0091]     Inner Part or Tube  
         [0092]      FIG. 18  shows that the inner part or tube  431  has top features providing the longitudinal retainer  460  as described above specifically the projection  462  that extend into furrow  461  of the outer tube and there are flexibility slots  441  ( FIG. 18 ).  
         [0093]     The inner tube  431  is also provided with longitudinal guide slots  482 ,  484 ,  486  and  488  which are spaced angularly to receive the projections of the lift  410  which are numbered  481 ,  483 ,  485  and  487 .  
         [0094]     Lift  
         [0095]     Contrary to other embodiments the lift in this fifth embodiment provides that the lift  410  rotate with the inner part or tube  431 . The lift projections  481 ,  483 ,  485  and  487  which are advantageously mounted on flexible arms as described hereinabove. The lift projections extend through the longitudinal slots  481 ,  483 ,  485  and  487  and are advanced by the interior helical projections  490 ,  492 ,  494  and  496  which are formed on the inner wall of the outer tube or canister. In operation, the inner part and lift rotate together and the lift moves upward such as between the positions of the lift shown in  FIG. 19  to an elevated or extended lift position as shown in  FIG. 20 .  
         [0000]     More About Methods Performed and Manners of Use  
         [0096]     Methods Concerning Manner of Use  
         [0097]     The invention is typically used by installing the parts into the assemblies shown and described above.  FIG. 10  shows the lift assembly relatively low within the canister  51 . Cap  52  is removed and the person operating the apparatus  1  applies torque to the operator which turns in response thereto.  
         [0098]     As the follower is held against rotating by engaging with the guide groove or other guide feature  52  the apparatus functions as an anti-rotating mechanism. The follower extends through the cam slot  32  formed in the operator, such as operator tube  31 . Turning of the operator  31  is performed by applying torque to the operator. This turning action causes the follower to be forced upwardly or downwardly depending on the direction of rotating movement and shape and slope of the cam slot  32 .  
         [0099]     Operating the apparatus by turning the operator  31  in the proper direction forces the lift assembly upward. This results in elevating the lift assembly and presenting the contents supported upon the lift assembly to a user in a conveniently available position. Thus the apparatus functions by operating the operator which functions by typically elevating the lift assembly and any supported foodstuffs or other contents.  
         [0100]     The operating is preferably performed so as to provide positioning of the lift assembly at an elevation wherein the next chip, treat or other contents are near the top opening of the canister. The user then typically uses the device simply by operating the operator, such as by rotating the operator tube by torquing the tube or angularly displacing the operator tube.  
         [0101]     Although this is preferably done in a simple, inexpensive manually operated device, other implementations are also possible to perform the desired functions and methods of operation. In a preferred application of use, potato chips  5  or other appropriate foodstuffs, such as cookies, crackers or other items are elevated into position for easy manual grasping and dispensing of the foodstuff or other contents.  
         [0102]     Methods according hereto may also include restraining the lift to prevent downward motion. This may be accomplished by using teeth or serrations which perform a catching function. This is advantageously used in preventing the lift assembly from inadvertently dropping within the canister. The maintaining of the lift assembly may be by serrations  34  which retard movement of the follower  15  within the operator slot  32 . Alternatively the operator may be prevented from inadvertent movement by properly sizing the operator with respect to the canister to provide frictional restraining of the operator.  
         [0103]     As the lift assembly moves up (or theoretically also downward) the follower tends to stay within or against the canister guide feature  53  which performs an anti-rotating function.  
         [0104]     Upon removal of the desired contents, the operator can be turned to lower the lift assembly if desired, needed or as allowed depending on the specific embodiment used.  
         [0105]     It is noteworthy that the methods are performed with both the contents and operator fully within the inside of canister  51 . Thus the methods may further be described as having a opening and closing capability by removing or installing the cap or other closure  52 . The cap is preferably held in position by snap fitting the cap over a top marginal rim of the canister to thus provide an enclosing function which acts by sealing or substantially sealing the interior of the apparatus.  
       Manner of Use of Fifth Embodiment  
       [0106]     According to the fifth embodiment the manners of use and methods performed thereby include selecting an assembly having the features described hereinabove with regard to the fifth embodiment. The methods further may include removing any safety seal, such as the illustrated safety seal  500  as may be facilitated by pulling on the tab  501 . Once the safety seal has been removed, then the opening of the apparatus is done by removing the cap  452 . Conversely, closing or resealing the apparatus is accomplished by installing the cap  452  onto the top of the apparatus and thus substantially sealing or re-sealing the apparatus thus helping by maintaining freshness of the contents and containing them within the container apparatus.  
         [0107]     The operational methods performed include rotating the inner part or tube  431  relative to the outer part or canister. This also causes rotating of the lift  410 . The lift  410  is adapted and positioned such that rotating the tube  431  and lift assembly results in engaging of the lift engagement extensions relative to the inward features of the outer part or tube. The inwardly directed and preferred helices cause the lift engagement features to advance up or otherwise toward the opening through which the contents can be removed. The relative rotating of the two parts causes in practical use lifting of the foodstuffs upwardly for facilitating manually grasping the foodstuffs.  
         [0108]     After the lift has been operated by moving and positioning the lift to a desired position then the user may perform by removing contents. This is usually done by simply engaging the hands and fingers of the user with the foodstuff and extracting them at the convenient position achieved by adjusting the lift height by turning the inner tube relative to the outer tube.  
         [0109]     After the user has eaten or otherwise acted by removing or extracting the contents to the degree or extent desired; then, the preferred methods include resealing the apparatus by installing the cap onto the open end and occluding the opening in a substantially sealing relationship.  
         [0000]     More About Preferred Manners of Making  
         [0110]     Other methods according to the current inventions may include constructing or making or providing a suitable container or containers having the various described features. The container may be made from paper fiber material as is well known in current containers of this type. The making also advantageously includes selecting a canister material that is made by coating or layering the inside, outside or both of the canister with low permeability materials such as aluminum or other metallic coating along the inner wall, outer wall or both. Alternatively, the inner wall, outer wall or both may be made by using other coatings having low air permeability or selecting materials of low permeability to effect maintaining of the flavor of the contents within the container as sold and after resealing with the installing of the cap or other closure.  
         [0111]     Alternatively, the apparatuses according hereto may be molded, such as in plastic, glass, appropriate metals according to known techniques. They may also be fabricated from these and other materials indicated above and equivalents thereof. It is currently believed that one suitable form of manufacturing the components of the inventions is by a technique commonly referred to as blow molding. This in particular appears to be appropriate to the inner tube and outer canister. Alternatively, the canister may in some or all forms be made using paperboard or mixtures of a variety of suitable materials used and now known or hereafter developed for the packaging industry and the food packaging industry in most applications.  
         [0112]     The making processes may also include positioning the lift assembly made of suitable materials, such as by selecting food grade plastics or paperboard which is either coated or uncoated as needed. The lift assembly is assembled into the apparatus by inserting it into the operator, such as by inserting it into the operator tube as indicted above. The operator can then be further assembled into the apparatus by installing the operator into the canister. Optionally, the apparatus may be assembled by applying a safety seal to perform a safety sealing of the contents until the time of sale.  
         [0113]     In the embodiments having a longitudinal restraint construction, the operator is assembled by inserting the operator until the longitudinal restraint couples with the complementary furrow or restraining feature which is advantageously included during the manufacturing of the canister.  
         [0000]     Interpretation Notes  
         [0114]     The above description has set out various features, functions, methods and other aspects of the inventions. This has been done with regard to the currently preferred embodiments thereof. Time and further development may change the manner in which the various aspects are implemented. Such aspects may further be added to by the language of the claims which are incorporated by reference hereinto as originally filed.  
         [0115]     The scope of protection accorded the inventions as defined by the claims is not intended to be necessarily limited to the specific sizes, shapes, features or other aspects of the currently preferred embodiments shown and described. The claimed inventions may be implemented or embodied in other forms while still being within the concepts shown, described and claimed herein. Also included are equivalents of the inventions which can be made without departing from the scope of concepts properly protected hereby.