Abstract:
This invention relates to disposable containers for storing, transporting and serving food, and more particularly to disposable containers for storing, transporting and serving baby food that include additional elements, e.g., one or more utensil and napkin (e.g., moist napkin), attached thereto for serving the food and cleaning up. The invention also relates to methods of supplying such containers with food as well as methods of transporting such containers.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     This invention relates to disposable containers for storing, transporting and serving food, and more particularly to disposable containers for storing, transporting and serving baby food that include additional elements, e.g., one or more utensil and napkin (e.g., moist napkin), attached thereto for serving the food and cleaning up.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0002]     The invention relates to disposable containers that provide an easy on-the-go system for storing, transporting and serving food, e.g., baby food, and methods of use. The containers described herein are disposable and/or resealable and include additional elements for serving the food and for clean up. In particular, the containers include a utensil (or utensils) and a napkin (or napkins) attached to or contained within the container. The utensil (or utensils) and the napkin (or napkins) are separately attached to or contained within the container such that the utensil (or utensils) can be removed from the container without removing the napkin (or napkins).  
         [0003]     Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention features a disposable container for providing baby food, that includes: one or more utensils attached to the container; and one or more napkins attached to the container, wherein the utensil and the napkin are separately attached to the container. Utensils include a spoon, a fork, a spork, and a knife.  
         [0004]     In one embodiment, the utensil (or utensils) is attached directly to the container. In other embodiments, the utensil (or utensils) is contained within a utensil bag and the utensil bag is attached to the container. The utensil bag can be a tearable bag, e.g., the bag can be made out of a material that can be torn by hand. For example, the utensil bag can be made of plastic, foil, paper or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the utensil bag includes a perforated line that allows for the bag to be opened along the line.  
         [0005]     In one embodiment, the napkin (or napkins) is attached directly to the container. In other embodiments, the napkin (or napkins) is contained within a napkin bag and the napkin bag is attached to the container. Preferably, the napkin is a moist napkin and, e.g., the napkin is contained within a napkin bag, e.g., a bag that retains some, if not all, of the moisture in the napkin. The napkin bag can be a tearable bag, e.g., the bag can be made out of a material that can be torn by hand. For example, the napkin bag can be made of plastic, foil, paper or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the napkin bag includes a perforated line that allows for the bag to be opened along the line.  
         [0006]     In one embodiment, the container is a pouch, e.g., a pouch made from a flexible and/or durable material. Examples of materials that can be used to make the pouch include foil, plastic, paper (e.g., wax-coated paper), or combinations thereof.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, when the container is a pouch, the utensil is attached to one side of the pouch and the napkin is attached to the other side of the pouch, or to the bottom of the pouch. In another embodiment, the napkin is attached to a side of the pouch and the utensil is attached to the bottom of the pouch. In yet another embodiment, when the container is a pouch the utensil and napkin can be attached to the same side of the pouch or both can be attached to the bottom of the pouch as long as the utensil and napkin are separately attached to the pouch.  
         [0008]     In one embodiment, the container is a pouch and the pouch includes an opening means, e.g., a reclosable fastener or a resealable adhesive. For example, the opening means can be a reclosable fastener that has a zipper-like device. In one embodiment, the pouch further includes one or more of: a removable closure, e.g., a removable closure that prevents accesses to the opening means until it is removed; and an adhesive closure underlying the opening means, e.g., the adhesive disclosure can be made of an adhesive material that readheres when the opening means is closed or can be of a material that does not readhere once the opening means has been opened for the first time. In one embodiment, the pouch includes an removable closure and an opening means wherein the removable closure includes a perforated line that can be used to open the pouch and expose the underlying opening means.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, the container includes at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more chambers, e.g., wherein the chambers are attached to one another by an attachment means. The attachment means can include a separation means for separating the chambers from one another. For example, the separation means can be a perforated line, e.g., a perforated line that runs along the attachment means such that each chamber can be separated from the remaining chambers.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment, the container includes two or more chambers and the utensil (or utensils) and the napkin (or napkins) are contained within one or more chambers of the container. In one embodiment, the utensil (or utensils) and napkin (or napkins) are contained within the same chamber and the utensil (or utensils) and the napkin (or napkins) are separated from each other. For example, the utensil (or utensils) can be contained within a utensil bag and the napkin (or napkins) can be contained within a napkin bag. In another embodiment, the utensil (or utensils) and the napkin (or napkins) are contained within the same chamber and a membrane or film is used to separate the napkin (or napkins) from the utensil (or utensils) in the chamber. Preferably, when the utensil (or utensils) and the napkin (or napkins) are separated from each other in a chamber, the napkin (or napkins) can remain attached to the container when the utensil (or utensils) have been removed.  
         [0011]     In another embodiment, the container includes two or more chambers and at least one of the utensil (or utensils) or the napkin (or napkins) or both are attached to the top, bottom or sides of the container. When both the utensil (or utensils) and the napkin (or napkins) are attached to the outside of the container, each is separately attached to the container.  
         [0012]     In one embodiment, the container includes two or more chambers and each chamber has a cover, e.g., a resealable cover. The cover can be made of, e.g., foil, plastic, paper, and. combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the cover includes a locking mechanism that allows the cover to be affixed to the chamber. For example, the cover can include threads that allow the cover to be screwed onto the chamber, or the cover can include an indent that lines up with a protrusion in the chamber when the cover is closed such that the protrusion fills, at least partially, the indent.  
         [0013]     In another aspect, the invention features a disposable pouch for providing food, e.g., baby food, that includes one or more utensils attached to the pouch; one or more moist napkins attached to the pouch; and a zipper-like device at the top of the pouch for opening and closing the pouch. The utensil (or utensils) and the moist napkin (or napkins) are separately attached to the pouch. Utensils include a spoon, a fork, a spork, and a knife. Examples of materials that can be used to make the pouch include foil, plastic, paper (e.g., wax-coated paper), or combinations thereof.  
         [0014]     In one embodiment, the utensil (or utensils) is attached directly to the pouch. In other embodiments, the utensil (or utensils) is contained within a utensil bag and the utensil bag is attached to the pouch. The utensil bag can be a tearable bag, e.g., the bag can be made out of a material that can be torn by hand. For example, the utensil bag can be made of plastic, foil, paper or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the utensil bag includes a perforated line that allows for the bag to be opened along the line.  
         [0015]     In one embodiment, the napkin (or napkins) is attached directly to the pouch. In other embodiments, the napkin (or napkins) is contained within a napkin bag and the napkin bag is attached to the pouch. Preferably, the napkin is contained within a napkin bag, e.g., a bag that retains some, if not all, of the moisture in the napkin. The napkin bag can be a tearable bag, e.g., the bag can be made out of a material that can be torn by hand. For example, the napkin bag can be made of plastic, foil, paper or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the napkin bag includes a perforated line that allows for the bag to be opened along the line.  
         [0016]     In one embodiment, the utensil (or utensils) is attached to one side of the pouch and the napkin (or napkins) is attached to the other side of the pouch, or to the bottom of the pouch. In another embodiment, the napkin (or napkins) is attached to a side of the pouch and the utensil (or utensils) is attached to the bottom of the pouch. In yet another embodiment, the utensil and napkin can be attached to the same side of the pouch or both can be attached to the bottom of the pouch as long as the utensil and napkin are separately attached to the pouch.  
         [0017]     In one embodiment, the pouch further includes one or more of: a removable closure, e.g., a removable closure that prevents accesses to the zipper-like device until it is removed; and an adhesive closure underlying the zipper-like device, e.g., the adhesive disclosure can be made of an adhesive material that readheres when the zipper-like device is closed or can be of a material that does not readhere once the zipper-like device has been opened for the first time. In one embodiment, the pouch includes an removable closure that includes a perforated line that can be used to open the pouch and expose the underlying zipper-like device.  
         [0018]     In another aspect, the invention features a disposable container for providing food, e.g., baby food, that includes at least four chambers; an attachment means for attaching the chambers to one another, wherein the attachment means includes a separation means for separating the chambers from one another; one or more utensils attached to the container or contained within a chamber of the container; and one or more moist napkins attached to the container or contained within a chamber of the container. The utensil (or utensils) and the napkin (or napkins) are separately attached to or contained within the container. Utensils include a spoon, a fork, a spork, and a knife.  
         [0019]     In one embodiment, the separation means can be a perforated line, e.g., a perforated line that runs along the attachment means such that each chamber can be separated from the remaining chambers.  
         [0020]     In one embodiment, the utensil (or utensils) and the napkin (or napkins) are contained within one or more chambers of the container. In one embodiment, the utensil (or utensils) and napkin (or napkins) are contained within the same chamber and the utensil (or utensils) and the napkin (or napkins) are separated from each other. For example, the utensil (or utensils) can be contained within a utensil bag and the napkin (or napkins) can be contained within a napkin bag. In another embodiment, the utensil (or utensils) and the napkin (or napkins) are contained within the same chamber and a membrane or film is used to separate the napkin (or napkins) from the utensil (or utensils) in the chamber. Preferably, when the utensil (or utensils) and the napkin (or napkins) are separated from each other in a chamber, the napkin (or napkins) can remain attached to the container when the utensil (or utensils) have been removed.  
         [0021]     In another embodiment, at least one of the utensil (or utensils) or the napkin (or napkins) or both are attached to the top, bottom or sides of the container. When both the utensil (or utensils) and the napkin (or napkins) are attached to the outside of the container, each is separately attached to the container.  
         [0022]     In one embodiment, each chamber has a cover, e.g., a resealable cover. The cover can be made of, e.g., foil, plastic, paper, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the cover includes a locking mechanism that allows the cover to be affixed to the chamber. For example, the cover can include threads that allow the cover to be screwed onto the chamber, or the cover can include an indent that lines up with a protrusion in the chamber when the cover is closed such that the protrusion fills, at least partially, the indent.  
         [0023]     In another aspect, the invention features a method of providing food, e.g., baby food, that includes: providing a container described herein; and adding food to the container, to thereby provide the food.  
         [0024]     In one embodiment, the method can further include storing and/or transporting the container with the food contained within it.  
         [0025]     In another aspect, the invention features a method of storing and/or transporting food, e.g., baby food, that includes: providing a container described herein that has food, e.g., baby food, contained within it; and storing and/or transporting the container.  
         [0026]     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0027]      FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a disposable food pouch ( 2 ) that includes a utensil ( 8 ) and a napkin ( 10 ) in a protective bag ( 12 ).  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  depicts a view of a bottom ( 6 ) of a disposable food pouch ( 2 ).  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  depicts a front view of a disposable food pouch ( 2 ).  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  depicts a top view of a disposable food container ( 30 ).  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  depicts a side view of a disposable food container ( 30 ).  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0032]     The disposable containers described herein provide a convenient system for storage, transport and service of food, e.g., baby food. Such containers allow for easy, on-the-go feeding of a child. Not only is the food provided in a container that can be easily disposed of and/or resealed for later use, but the container also provides elements such as a utensil (or utensils) and a napkin (or napkins) for serving the food and for clean up. Thus, the containers described herein allow a care-giver to quickly and easily prepare meals on-the-go without the worry that one or more elements needed to feed the child will be left behind. Moreover, the elements are provided separately such that the utensil can be used, e.g., while the napkin stays attached to or contained within the container. This helps to avoid the loss of the napkin while the utensil is being used to serve the food. In addition, in some embodiments, the napkin is a moist napkin, and by keeping the napkin separate from the utensil, the utensil does not get wet and the napkin is not exposed to the air that could dry it out before clean up.  
         [0033]     Referring now to the drawings.  
         [0034]     In  FIG. 1 , a disposable food pouch ( 2 ) is illustrated. The pouch is made of a disposable material such as foil, plastic, paper or combinations thereof. When paper is used alone, it is preferably treated to prevent leakage through the pouch. For example, the paper can have a wax coating. Preferably, the pouch is made of a flexible and/or durable material. For example, the pouch can be made of a material or material described in U.S. Pat. No: 6,719,140 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos: 20040115318 and 20040045861, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The bottom of the pouch ( 6 ) can be of a greater width and/or length than the top ( 18 ) of the pouch. In this configuration, the sides of the pouch ( 4 ) angle outwards from the top of the pouch ( 18 ) to the bottom of the pouch ( 6 ). This allows for the pouch ( 2 ) to stand upright without assistance. See  FIG. 2  which illustrates the bottom ( 6 ) of a disposable pouch ( 2 ) having a greater diameter than the top of the pouch, thereby providing a flat surfaced bottom that allows the pouch to stand upright.  
         [0035]     In  FIG. 1 , a utensil ( 8 ) is attached to one side ( 4 ) of the pouch. The utensil ( 8 ) can be a spoon, fork, spork or knife. Preferably, the utensil is a spoon or a spork. In some embodiments, more than one utensil can be attached to a side ( 4 ) or sides of the pouch. The utensil (or utensils) can be directly affixed to the pouch, e.g., using an adhesive material such as rubber, glue or wax to connect a surface of the utensil to the pouch. In other embodiments, the utensil ( 8 ) (or utensils) is contained within a utensil bag. Preferably, the utensil bag can be made of a tearable substance such as paper, plastic or foil to provide easy access to the utensil (or utensils). In some embodiments, the utensil bag has a perforated line which allows the utensil bag to be opened along the perforated line. The utensil bag (or utensil bags) can be affixed to the pouch, e.g., using an adhesive material such as rubber, glue or wax to connect a surface of the bag to the pouch.  
         [0036]     In  FIG. 1 , the napkin ( 12 ) is attached to the opposite side of the pouch ( 2 ) than the utensil ( 8 ). The napkin (or napkins) can be attached to other places on the pouch so long as the utensil and napkin are separately attached to the pouch. The napkin is preferably contained within a napkin bag ( 10 ). The napkin bag ( 10 ) can be made of a tearable substance such as paper, plastic or foil. In some embodiments, the napkin bag can be perforated and, e.g., the napkin bag can be opened along the perforated line. Preferably, the napkin is a moist napkin and the napkin bag is made of a substance retains at least some, if not all, of the moisture in the napkin. The napkin bag (or napkin bags) can be affixed to the pouch, e.g., using an adhesive material such as rubber, glue or wax to connect a surface of the bag to the pouch.  
         [0037]      FIG. 1  also depicts an opening means to the pouch ( 14 ). The opening means allows for the top ( 18 ) of the pouch ( 2 ) to be pulled apart for serving and, preferably, resealed. When the opening device is resealable, the opening means is a reclosable fastener (e.g., a zipper-like device) or includes a resealable adhesive. Examples of various opening means that can be used are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos: 6,719,678; 6,474,866; 6,390,676; 5,972,396; 5,672,009 and 5,078,509, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0038]      FIG. 3  depicts the front ( 16 ) of a disposable pouch ( 2 ). The pouch ( 2 ) illustrated in  FIG. 3  includes an opening means ( 14 ) that includes a zipper-like device ( 20 ). The zipper-like device ( 20 ) can be moved along the opening means ( 14 ) allowing the user to know when the pouch is open and when the pouch is properly closed. The zipper-like device ( 20 ) illustrated in  FIG. 3  is closed when the zipper-like device is on the top, left side of the pouch, and completely open when the zipper-like device is on the top, right side of the pouch. The disposable pouch ( 2 ) can further include a removable closure ( 22 ). The removable closure ( 22 ) can be, e.g., a perforated line that allows for the top of the pouch to be sealed and then removed to allow access to the underlying opening means ( 14 ). The disposable pouch ( 2 ) can further include an adhesive closure ( 24 ) underlying the opening means ( 14 ). The adhesive closure ( 24 ) provides an additional barrier to prevent food from leaking from the pouch and/or from tampering with the food in the pouch. The adhesive closure ( 24 ) can be made of a material that readheres when the opening means ( 14 ) is closed or can be made of a material that does not readhere once the opening means ( 14 ) has been opened for the first time.  
         [0039]     The pouch can be sized to accommodate a single serving of food, or may be larger to accommodate more than one serving. In one embodiment, the height of the pouch is about 3 to 7 inches, e.g., about 4 to 6 inches, e.g., about 5 inches. The top ( 18 ) and bottom ( 6 ) of the front of the pouch as shown in  FIG. 3  can be the same size or can differ in size. In one embodiment, both the top and the bottom of the front of the pouch are between 3 to 7 inches wide, preferably about 4 to 6 inches, e.g., about 5 inches wide. In other embodiments, the top ( 18 ) of the front of the pouch and the bottom ( 6 ) of the front of the pouch differ in size. As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the pouch is sealed, the sides ( 4 ) of the pouch can differ in size from top to bottom, thereby providing a bottom that has a larger diameter than the top of the pouch. This allows the pouch to stand upright without assistance. In one embodiment, the bottom of the side ( 4 ) of the pouch is about 1 to 4 inches, preferably about 2 to 3 inches. The sides ( 4 ) of the pouch can further include a fold ( 26 ) that allows the dimensions of the pouch ( 2 ) to vary, e.g., depending on whether the pouch is empty or full and/or whether the top of the pouch is open or sealed.  
         [0040]     In some embodiments, the pouch can have at least one internal separation means within the pouch such that at least two, three, four or more different foods can be stored in the pouch without the two foods mixing within the pouch. For example, an internal separation means that spans from top to bottom and side to side of the pouch can be used such that inside of the pouch is split into at least two compartments. In some embodiments, when there is an internal separation means, the pouch can be designed so that one compartment can be open while the other (or others) stay sealed. For example, the internal separation means can have part of a resealable closure near the top of both of its sides and either side of the pouch can have the other part of the resealable closure near the top of the pouch such that the closure on either side can be mated with the part of the resealable closure on the internal separation means that faces it. In other embodiments, two or more pouches, e.g., two or more pouches having different foods contained within, can be attached to each other. When two or more pouches are attached to each other, each pouch can have a utensil (or utensils) and/or a napkin (or napkins) attached to it or a utensil (or utensils) and/or a napkin (or napkins) can be shared between pouches. For example, a first pouch can have both a utensil (or utensils) and a napkin (or napkins) attached to it while a second pouch attached to the first pouch can have no utensil (or utensils) and/or napkin (or napkins) attached to it or a first pouch can have a utensil (or utensils) attached to it and the second pouch attached to the first can have the napkin (or napkins) attached to it.  
         [0041]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view ( 32 ) of an open a disposable container ( 30 ) having four chambers ( 34 ).  FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of a disposable container ( 30 ). In other embodiments, the container can include two, three, five, six, seven, eight or more chambers. The container and/or the chambers can be made, e.g., of plastic, foil, paper (e.g., wax coated paper),or combinations thereof. The top of each chamber has a cover ( 40 ), e.g., a resealable cover. The cover can be made, e.g., of plastic, foil and/or paper (e.g., wax treated paper). The chamber and cover can include a locking mechanism which allows the cover to be tightly fixed with the chamber. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the chamber ( 34 ) can include a protrusion ( 46 ) and the cover ( 40 ) can include an indent ( 48 ). The protrusion ( 46 ) can fill, at least partially, the indent ( 48 ) in the cover such that the cover ( 40 ) is fixed in place on the chamber.  
         [0042]     In some embodiments, each of the chambers ( 34 ) contains a food, e.g., a baby food. In these embodiments, the utensil (or utensils) and napkin (or napkins) can be attached to any of the top ( 32 ), sides ( 38 ) or bottom ( 40 ) of the container. As discussed herein, the utensil (or utensils) and/or napkin (or napkins) can be directly attached to the container or can be included within a bag, e.g., a tearable bag, wherein the bag is directly attached to the container. The utensil (or utensils), the utensil bag (or utensil bags), the napkin (or napkins),and/or the napkin bag (or napkin bags) can be affixed to the container, e.g., using an adhesive material such as rubber, glue or wax to connect a surface of the bag to the container. In other embodiments, the utensil (or utensils) and/or napkin (or napkins) can be contained within a chamber ( 34 ) or chambers of the container ( 30 ). For example, the utensil (or utensils) and napkin (or napkins) can be contained in different chambers from one another or both the utensil (or utensils) and the napkin (or napkins) can be contained within the same chamber. Preferably, when the utensil (or utensils) and the napkin (or napkins) are included in the same chamber, the utensil and the napkin are separated from each other, e.g., by being individually wrapped (e.g., in a utensil bag and a napkin bag), or by a membrane or other film within the container. When the utensil (or utensils) and napkin (or napkins) are included in the same chamber, preferably, the napkin is attached to the container such that the utensil (or utensils) can be removed from the container without detachment of the napkin.  
         [0043]     In  FIG. 5 , each chamber is attached to the other chambers by an attachment means ( 50 ). As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the attachment means ( 50 ) can include a separation means ( 36 ) between each of the chambers such that a chamber can be removed from the remaining chambers using the separation means. Preferably, the separation means is a perforated line in the material between the chambers that allows for a chamber (or chambers) to be separated by tearing along the perforated line.  
         [0044]     Each chamber of the disposable container can be sized to accommodate a single serving of food, or may be larger to accommodate more than one serving. In one embodiment, the width ( 42 ) of each chamber is about 0.5 to 4 inches, preferably about 1 to 3 inches, e.g., about 2 inches. As shown in  FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the cover ( 40 ) fits over the sides ( 38 ) of each chamber ( 34 ). In such embodiments, the width of the cover ( 44 ) is greater than the width of the chamber ( 42 ). For example, in one embodiment, the width of the cover is about 2 inches, and the width of the chamber is about 1.9 inches. In some embodiments, the height the sides ( 38 ) of each chamber is about 0.5 to 4 inches, preferably about 1 to 3 inches, e.g., about 2 inches.  
         [0045]     A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the disposable containers have been described as containing food, e.g., baby food. In some embodiments, however, the disposable container can be supplied without food and a user could fill the containers with food. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.