Abstract:
The present invention allows a user to scoop material from a container without having to bend over when the container is empty. The container has a material containing pan wherein the height of the pan is determined by springs which respond to the weight of material on the pan. If the weight on the pan is relatively great, for example, 40 pounds of pet food, then the pan is at the bottom portion of the container and the user is able to scoop out the pet food from the top of the container. If the weight on the pan is relatively small, for example 5 pounds of pet food, then the pan is at the top portion of the container and the user is able to scoop out the dog food from the top of the container.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to the field of containers, and more particularly to the area of containers with a variable height storage area adapted to retain bulk particulate matter.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Solid particulate matter such as grains, pet food, chemicals are often stored in large bin containers for incremental dispensing by a subject. Pet food, for example, is commonly available in dry food forms such as cereals which is stored in relatively large bin-type containers. This type of pet food is commonly referred to as kibble.  
         [0005]     One problem with storing kibble and other like bulk particulate matter in a bin type container is that upon removal and depletion of the particulate matter from the bin, a person must progressively reach further into the container toward its bottom to access the remaining bulk material. This can be difficult for those with physical limitations, such back problems, arthritis, and nervous system disorders, making it difficult to bend or reach for objects. Reaching further into the bin each succeeding time can only be temporarily resolved by filling the bin. However, this is only a temporary solution because as the bin is depleted over time once again the same difficulties develop in removing material from the bin.  
         [0006]     Therefore, a device that allows a person to withdraw bulk material from a container having a design that eliminates, or at least substantially reduces a person&#39;s need to bend or reach for material located towards the bottom of the container is needed and desired. It would be particularly beneficial if the container could be used for storing a variety of bulk material such as powdered laundry detergent, pet food, grains, and other foods such as beans, and snack chips. The container should also be available in numerous sizes and shapes.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The container of the present invention allows a user to scoop bulk material there from without the need to bend over or reach into a significant portion of the container as it is emptied. The container has a material containing pan wherein the height of the pan relative to the height of the container is determined by the weight of the material resting on the pan. To effectuate the ability to alter the pan height within the container, springs are provided to respond accordingly to the weight of material on the pan which thereby provides a force for pushing upward on the pan. If the weight on the pan is relatively great, for example, 40 pounds of dog food, then the downward force from the weight on the pan is greater than the upward force from the springs. Thereby, the pan is designed to be at the bottom portion of the container so the user is able to scoop out the pet food from the top of the storage container. If using the same container and the weight on the pan is relatively small, for example 5 pounds of dog food, then the downward force from the weight on the pan is less than the upward force from the springs and the pan is essentially closer to the top portion of the container thereby enabling the user to reach and scoop out the dog food from the top of the container.  
         [0008]     The container can be used to store a variety of bulk particulate material such as powdered laundry detergent, pet food, grains, other foods such as beans, chips, or other bulk particulate food matter and is available in numerous sizes and shapes. If, for example, the container is to be used for detergent soap, then springs with the correct compression rating are used such that when the container is full of detergent soap, the pan is at the bottom of the container and when the container is relatively empty of detergent soap, then the pan is relatively close to the top of the container.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a container with lift system in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the material pan of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     In the descriptions that follow, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figures may be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.  
         [0016]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , container  102  comprises front wall  104   a , back wall  104   b , side wall  106   a , side wall  106   b , floor  136 , lid  108 , retainer ring  110 , material pan  112 , rubber gasket  114 , spring insert  116 , lower spring insert  142 , and springs  118 .  
         [0017]     Front wall  104   a  and back wall  104   b  may be made of metal, plastic, rubber, or other similar rigid or semi-rigid material capable of supporting container  102 . By way of example and not of limitation, front wall  104   a  and back wall  104   b  in  FIG. 1  are approximately 21 inches high and 21 inches wide. In other embodiments, the dimensions can change and such changes are apparent to one skilled in the art. Front wall  104   a  and back wall  104   b  have outside edges  119   a  and  119   b , respectively, and inside edges  120   a  and  120   b , respectively. Front wall  104   a  and back wall  104   b  are connected to side walls  106   a  and  106   b.    
         [0018]     Side walls  106   a  and  106   b  may be made of metal, plastic, rubber, or some other similar rigid or semi-rigid material capable of supporting container  102 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , side walls  106   a  and  106   b  are approximately 21 inches high and 15 inches wide. In other embodiments, the dimensions can change and such changes are known to one skilled in the art. Side walls  106   a  and  106   b  have outside edges  122   a  and  122   b , respectively, and inside edges  124   a  and  124   b , respectively. Inside edges  120   a ,  120   b ,  124   a , and  124   b  define cavity  126 .  
         [0019]     Cavity  126  has a top portion  128  and a bottom portion  130 . In use, cavity  126  contains material pan  112 , rubber gasket  114 , spring inserts  116 , lower spring inserts  142 , and springs  118 . Top portion  128  of cavity  126  contains retainer ring  110 .  
         [0020]     Retainer ring  110  may be made of metal, plastic, rubber, or some other similar rigid or semi-rigid material and is secured to container  102 . Retainer ring  110  extends from inside edges  120   a ,  120   b ,  124   a  and  124   b  into top portion  128  of cavity  126  and prevents material pan  112  from extending past retainer ring  110 .  
         [0021]     Material pan  112  is made of made of metal, plastic, rubber, or some other similar rigid or semi-rigid material and, as shown in  FIG. 2 , has an upper portion  202  and a lower portion  204 . By way of example and not of limitation, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , upper portion  202  is approximately 20 inches wide, 14 inches long and fits inside cavity  126  ( FIG. 1 ). In other embodiments, the dimensions can change and such changes are known to one skilled in the art. Upper portion  202  contains rubber gasket  114 .  
         [0022]     Rubber gasket  114  surrounds upper portion  202  of material pan  112  such that a seal is made between inside edges  120   a ,  120   b ,  124   a  and  124   b  and upper portion  202  of material pan  112 . The seal may be a waterproof seal but is at least such that the contents in material pan  112  are prevented from spilling outside material pan  112  and into bottom portion  130  of cavity  126 .  
         [0023]     Lower portion  204  of material pan  112  contains spring insert  116 . Spring insert  116  contains a cavity for housing spring  118 .  
         [0024]     Spring  118  is a compression helical spring with about  39  active coils and a spring rate of approximately 1.125 lbs/sq inch such that the spring forces material pan  112  to contact retainer ring  110  when material pan  112  does not contain any bulk material. Spring  118  has a top  138  and a bottom  140 . Top  138  can fit inside spring insert  116  and is secured to lower portion  204  of material pan  112  by spring insert  116 . Spring  118  may be secured to material pan  112  by means other than spring insert  116  such as a groove, indention, or notch in material pan  112  or by the pressure spring  118  exerts on material pan  112 . Such other means to secure spring  118  to material pan  112  would be obvious to one skilled in the art.  
         [0025]     Bottom  140  of spring  118  is secured to floor  136  by lower spring insert  142 . Spring  118  may be secured to floor  136  by means other than lower spring insert  142  such as a groove, indention, or notch in floor  136  or by the pressure spring  118  exerts on floor  136 . Such other means to secure spring  118  to floor  136  would be obvious to one skilled in the art. Floor  136  forms the base of container  102  and is attached to front wall  104   a , back wall  104   b , and side walls  106   a  and  106   b.    
         [0026]     In use 40 pounds of commercially available dog food is inserted into container  102 . The weight of the dog food compresses spring  118  such that material pan  112  is lowered into bottom portion  130  of cavity  126 . Rubber gasket  114  prevents any of the dog food from spilling into bottom portion  130  of cavity  126 .  
         [0027]     Removable lid  108  may be secured to container  102  to prevent unwanted material and moisture from contacting the dog food. Removable lid  108  has lip  134  and may be placed on top portion  128  of cavity  126  such that lip  134  is in contact with outside edges  119   a ,  119   b ,  122   a , and  122   b . Removable lid  108  may be made of metal, plastic, rubber, or some other similar rigid or semi-rigid material and may be secured to container  102  by a snap closure or some other lid locking mechanism known in the art to secure a removable lid on a container and prevent unwanted substances from entering cavity  126 .  
         [0028]     When dog food is removed from container  102 , the weight of the dog food contained within material pan  112  is reduced and spring  118  pushes material pan  112  towards top portion  128  of cavity  126 . Because material pan  112  is raised by spring  118  relative to the amount of dog food removed from container  102 , the dog food is always at the top of container  102 . When all or almost all of the dog food has been removed from container  102 , material pan  112  is in contact with retainer ring  110  and retainer ring  110  prevents compression spring  118  from pushing material pan  112  outside of cavity  126 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the springs are attached to the top portion of the container instead of the bottom portion and shows container  402 , front wall  410 , back wall  404 , side wall  406 , material pan  412 , and channel  430 . Container  402  has a top portion  426  and a bottom portion  428 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective cutaway view of container  402  cut along plane  302  shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0030]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , container  402  has a top portion  426  and a bottom portion  428 , comprises front wall  410 , back wall  404 , side wall  406 , floor  408 , material pan  412 , and spring  414 . Spring  414  has an upper section  416  and a lower section  418 . Front wall  410 , back wall  404 , side wall  406 , floor  408 , and material pan  412  may be made of metal, plastic, rubber, or some other similar rigid or semi-rigid material.  
         [0031]     Side wall  406  comprises outside wall  420  and inside wall  422 . Outside wall  420  and inside wall  422  define spring cavity  424 . Spring cavity  424  houses spring  414 . Upper section  416  of spring  414  is attached to top portion  426  of container  402 . Lower section  418  of spring  414  is attached to material pan  412 . Inside wall  422  contains channel  430  which is wide enough to accommodate at least a portion of material pan  412  so material pan can extend from one spring cavity  424 , to the spring cavity on the opposite side of container  402 .  
         [0032]     Spring  414  is of sufficient strength to lift material pan  412  to the top portion  426  of container  402  when material pan  412  is relatively empty. However, when bulk material is added to material pan  412 , the weight causes spring  414  to stretch and material pan  412  to be lowered into bottom portion  428  of container  402  such that the bulk material is contained within and does not spill outside of container  402 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , more than one spring  414  may be used.  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective cutaway view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Container  602  is a drum container, such as a common 55 gallon drum container, and comprises wall  604 , floor  606 , removable lid  608 , retainer ring  610 , material pan  612 , rubber gasket  614 , spring inserts  616 , lower spring inserts  618 , and spring  620 .  
         [0034]     Wall  604  is made of metal, plastic, rubber, or some other similar rigid or semi-rigid material and provides support for container  602 . Wall  604  has an outside edge  622  and an inside edge  624 . Inside edge  624  defines cavity  626 .  
         [0035]     Cavity  626  has a top portion  628  and a bottom portion  630 . Cavity  626  contains material pan  612 , rubber gasket  614 , spring inserts  616 , lower spring inserts  618 , and springs  620 . Top portion  628  contains retainer ring  610 .  
         [0036]     Retainer ring  610  may be made of metal, plastic, rubber, or some other similar rigid or semi-rigid material. Retainer ring  610  extends from inside edge  624  into top portion  628  of cavity  626  and prevents material pan  612  from extending past retainer ring  610 .  
         [0037]     Material pan  612  may be made of metal, plastic, rubber, or some other similar semi-rigid material and has an upper portion  632  and a lower portion  634 . Rubber gasket  614  surrounds upper portion  632  of material pan  612  such that a seal is made between inside edge  624  and upper portion  632  of material pan  612 . The seal may be a waterproof seal but is at least such that the contents in material pan  612  are prevented from spilling outside material pan  612  and into bottom portion  630  of cavity  626 .  
         [0038]     Lower portion  634  of material pan  612  contains spring insert  616 . Spring insert  616  houses spring  620 . Spring  620  is a compression helical spring with about  39  active coils and a spring rate of approximately 1.125 lbs/sq inch such that the spring forces material pan  612  to contact retainer ring  610 , when material pan  612  does not contain any bulk material. Spring  620  has a top  638  and a bottom  640 . Top  638  is secured to lower portion  634  of material pan  612  by spring insert  616 . Spring  620  may be secured to material pan  612  by means other than spring insert  616  such as a groove, indention, or notch in material pan  612  or by the pressure spring  620  exerts on material pan  612 . Such other means to secure spring  620  to material pan  612  would be obvious to one skilled in the art.  
         [0039]     Bottom  640  is secured to floor  606  by lower spring insert  618 . Spring  620  may be secured to floor  606  by means other than lower spring insert  618  such as a groove, indention, or notch in floor  606  or by the pressure spring  620  exerts on floor  606 . Such other means to secure spring  620  to floor  606  would be obvious to one skilled in the art. Floor  606  forms the base of container  602  and is attached to wall  604 .  
         [0040]     In use 40 pounds of commercially available dog food is inserted into container  602 . The weight of the dog food compresses spring  620  such that material pan  612  is lowered into bottom portion  630  of cavity  626 . Rubber gasket  614  prevents any of the dog food from spilling into bottom portion  630  of cavity  626 .  
         [0041]     Removable lid  608  may be secured to container  602  to prevent unwanted material and moisture from contacting the dog food. Removable lid  608  is made of made of metal, plastic, rubber, or some other similar rigid or semi-rigid material and may be secured to container  602  by a snap closure or some other lid locking mechanism known in the art to secure a removable lid on a container and prevent unwanted substances from entering cavity  626 .  
         [0042]     When dog food is removed from container  602 , the weight of the dog food contained within material pan  612  is reduced and spring  620  pushes material pan  612  towards top portion  628  of cavity  626 . Because material pan  612  is raised by spring  620  relative to the amount of dog food removed from container  602 , the dog food is always at the top of continuer  602 . When all or almost all of the dog food has been removed from the container, material pan  612  is in contact with retainer ring  610  and retainer ring  610  prevents spring  620  from pushing material  612  outside of cavity  626 .  
         [0043]     While springs  118 ,  418 , and  620  are shown as helical springs, it is understood by those skilled in the art that a suitable substitution may be made for the springs. One such embodiment (not shown) may use hydraulic chambers connected to a mechanical or electrical controlling device for effecting changes of height of the material pans  112 ,  412 , and  612  within their respective containers.  
         [0044]     Although the invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, this description is not to be construed in a limiting sense. There is modification of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of this invention, which will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art, and the invention shall be viewed as limited only by reference to the following claims. For example, material other than dog food may be used in the container. If other material is used, then the spring ratio of the spring may have to be adjusted. Any necessary adjustments would be known to those skilled in the art. Also, the container does not have to be rectangular in shape, it may be square, oval, or any other shape.