Patent Publication Number: US-6706297-B1

Title: Attachable snack food container

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a snack food container. More particularly, it relates to a snack food container configured for convenient attachment to a separate beverage container. 
     A wide variety of consumable items are provided in convenient, single serving packages or containers. These items range from beverage products, such as soda pop and juice, to solid snack food items such as crackers, potato chips, etc. The packaging associated with each product is directly related to the particular product&#39;s form. For example, due to their liquid nature, beverage products are normally packaged in rigid canisters (e.g., aluminum cans, plastic or glass bottles, etc.). Conversely, solid snack food items are typically sold to consumers in less expensive plastic or foil bags. Regardless of exact form, consumers highly desire the convenience associated with single serving products as they can be easily transported from one location to another for “on-the-go” consumption. 
     Single serving packages or containers have become overwhelmingly popular. In fact, the popularity of single serving beverage containers has prompted manufactures of other products to incorporate devices for accommodating single serving beverage containers. For example, most newer automobiles include one or more cup holders sized to maintain a beverage container. The cup holder provides a convenient location for temporarily storing an open beverage container without fear of accidental spillage. A consumer can advantageously consume the beverage while travelling (or “on-the-go”), storing the beverage container within arm&#39;s reach in the cup holder between drinks. Cup holders are likewise utilized with boats, movie theater seats, stadium seats, etc. 
     Cup holder utility is premised upon the fact that beverage containers are normally cylindrical and rigid. For example, a popular beverage container is a rigid, 12-ounce (355 mL) aluminum can. Other configurations, such as plastic or glass bottles, are similarly rigid. This construction is highly conducive to upright storage within a cup holder. Unfortunately, the irregular shape and flexible nature of snack food bags do not allow for this same convenient storage. That is to say, cup holders are not sized to easily receive and/or maintain a bag of snack food product. Further, because snack food bags are not rigid, they cannot readily be maintained upright. Notably, even if upright storage within a cup holder were possible, often times a consumer will desire to consume both a beverage and a snack food product when traveling, attending an event, etc. Under these circumstances, the consumer will undoubtedly choose to place the beverage container within the cup holder. When occupied by a beverage container, the cup holder is unavailable for snack food product storage. Instead, the consumer must lay the snack food product on his or her lap, rendering consumption of the snack food difficult. Pointedly, this scenario increases the opportunity for accidental snack food product spillage. 
     Consumers may be able to overcome some of the above-described problems associated with “on-the-go” consumption of snack food products by filling a small container with the desired snack food product prior to travelling. This approach is highly inconvenient, and may not be available where the snack food is purchased during the trip itself (e.g., purchased at a gas station). Further, the cup holder associated with the consumer&#39;s vehicle may not be sized to maintain the container and/or the cup holder may be occupied by a beverage container. As a result, the consumer is once again forced to hold the snack food product on his or her lap. 
     Consumers continue to demand convenient, single serving snack food products. Due to the highly competitive nature of the snack food industry, any efforts to provide a packaging configuration able to overcome the above-described consumption problems on a cost effective basis will likely provide a distinct competitive advantage. Therefore, a need exists for a snack food container configured for convenient on-the-go storage and consumption. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a snack food container including a side wall, a bottom wall and a flange body. The side wall forms an upper opening. The bottom wall is connected to the side wall opposite the upper opening. The flange body extends downwardly from the bottom wall and defines an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is configured for selective attachment to a beverage container. With this configuration, the snack food container defines an internal storage region for containing a snack food product. Prior to use, a snack food product is placed within the internal storage region. The snack food container is then attached to a top portion of a beverage container via the inner surface of the flange. Once attached, the snack food container is maintained upright by the beverage container for convenient consumption of the snack food product. In one preferred embodiment, the inner surface of the flange body is substantially annular for attachment to a cylindrical beverage container. In another preferred embodiment, the snack food container forms a slot for providing convenient access to an opening in the beverage container. 
     Another aspect of the present invention relates to a packaged good article. The packaged good article includes a snack food container and a snack food product. The snack food container includes a side wall, a bottom wall and a flange body. The side wall forms an upper opening. The bottom wall is connected to the side wall opposite the upper opening. The flange body extends downwardly from the bottom wall and defines an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is configured for selective attachment to a separate beverage container. Finally, the snack food container defines an internal storage region within which the snack food product is contained. During use, the packaged good article is attached to a separate beverage container via the inner surface of the flange body. Where applicable, the beverage container may, in turn, be maintained within a cup holder of a vehicle. Regardless, interaction between the inner surface of the flange body and the beverage container maintains the packaged good article in an upright position. As a result, the snack food product can conveniently be consumed from the snack food container. In one preferred embodiment, the snack food container forms a slot extending from the side wall to the bottom wall. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a snack food container including a side wall, a bottom wall, a flange body and a retaining means. The side wall forms an upper opening. The bottom wall is connected to the side wall opposite the upper opening. The flange body extends downwardly from the bottom wall. The retaining means is configured for selectively attaching the snack food container to a separate beverage container. The side wall, the bottom wall, the flange body and the retaining means are integrally formed. With this configuration, the snack food container forms an internal storage region for containing a snack food product. During use, the snack food container is attached to a separate beverage container via the retaining means for convenient consumption of a snack food product contained within the internal storage region. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of a snack food container in accordance with the present invention, shown in conjunction with a separate beverage container; 
     FIG. 2 is a side, cross-sectional view of the snack food container of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom, elevational view of the snack food container of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a snack food container in accordance with the present invention assembled to a separate beverage container; and 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a snack food container in accordance with the present invention assembled to a separate beverage container and shown in conjunction with a straw. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     One preferred embodiment of a snack food container  10  is shown in FIG.  1 . As a point of reference, the snack food container  10  is shown in conjunction with a separate beverage container  12 . As described in greater detail below, the beverage container  12  can assume of a wide variety of forms and is depicted in FIG. 1 as being a known 12-ounce (355 mL) aluminum can. Regardless, the beverage container  12  is readily available and has known, pre-determined dimensions. With this in mind, the snack food container  10  is configured for selective attachment to the beverage container  12 . The snack food container  10  is generally formed as a bowl and preferably includes a protective film  14 , a side wall  16 , a bottom wall  18  (shown partially in FIG. 1) and a flange body  20 . The side wall  16  forms a lip or flange  22  about an open end  24 . The-lip  22  is configured to receive the protective film  14 . The bottom wall  18  is connected to the side wall  16  opposite the open end  24 . The flange body  20  extends downwardly from the bottom wall  18 . Finally, the snack food container  10  forms an internal storage region  26  (shown partially in FIG.  1 )) within which a snack food product  28  is contained. Notably, directional terminology, such as “upper,” and “lower,” “top” and “bottom” are used for purposes of illustration only and with reference to a desired upright orientation of the snack food container  10  as shown in FIG.  1 . However, the snack food container  10  can be positioned in other orientations such that the directional terminology is in no way limiting. 
     One function of the protective film  14  is to provide a sanitary seal for the snack food product  28  contained within the snack food container  10 . Thus, the protective film  14  is preferably shaped in accordance with the upper opening  24 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 where the upper opening  24  is generally circular, the protective film  14  is likewise circular in shape. While a wide variety of film materials can be used for the protective film  14 , the material selected preferably is approved for contact with food and provides a contaminant barrier. In one preferred embodiment, the protective film  14  is metalized film or foil as known in the art. Alternatively, the protective film  14  is formed from a polymer such as polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, polystyrene, etc. Additionally, the protective film  14  may include indicia (not shown), such as a manufacturer trademark or trade name, product description, etc. Finally, while the protective film  14  does serve to maintain integrity of the snack food product  28 , the protective film  14  is not a necessary element of the present invention. In other words, the snack food container  10  will function without the protective film  14 . 
     The snack food container  10  is shown in greater detail in FIG.  2 . For purposes of illustration, the snack food container  10  is depicted in FIG. 2 with the protective film  14  (FIG. 1) removed. The snack food container  10  is shown in FIG. 2 as including the side wall  16 , the bottom wall  18 , the flange body  20  and a slot  30 . 
     The side wall  16  is preferably generally frusto-conical in shape, although other shapes such as cylindrical, triangular, square, etc. are equally acceptable. Even further, the side wall  16  may be irregularly shaped. In this regard, the side wall  16  is preferably integrally formed, but can instead be formed by a plurality of separate sections or panels that are assembled to one another. Regardless, the side wall  16  forms an outer portion of the internal storage region  26 . 
     The lip  22  is formed as a radial extension of the side wall  16 , preferably circumscribing the upper opening  24 . The lip  22  is preferably sized to provide an adequate surface area for receiving the protective film  14  (FIG.  1 ). Where the protective film  14  is not employed, however, it will be recognized that the lip  22  can likewise be eliminated. 
     The bottom wall  18  is shown in FIG. 2 as being preferably horizontal when the snack food container  10  is upright. As previously described, the bottom wall  18  is centrally formed opposite the upper opening  24  and is connected to the side wall  16  via the flange body  20 . Alternatively, however, the bottom wall  18  can be connected to the side wall  16  apart from the flange body  20 . Regardless, the bottom wall  18  defines at least a portion of the internal storage region  26 . 
     The flange body  20  extends downwardly from the bottom wall  18  and includes an inner surface  32 , an outer surface  34  and a plurality of retention tabs  36 . In one preferred embodiment, the inner surface  32  and the outer surface  34  are spaced from one another such that the flange body  20  forms a portion  38  of the internal storage region  26 . Alternatively, however, the inner surface  32  and the outer surface  34  can be formed by a single wall, thereby eliminating the portion  38 . Regardless, the retention tabs  36  extend in a generally radial fashion from the inner surface  32  and are configured to selectively couple the flange body  18  to the beverage container  12  (FIG. 1) as described in greater detail below. 
     The inner surface  32  is preferably substantially annular in form, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This preferred annular construction corresponds with a circular shape found with many available beverage containers (such as, for example, the beverage container  10  shown in FIG.  1 ). Alternatively, where the snack food container  12  is intended for use with a differently shaped beverage container (such as, for example, a rectangularly-shaped fruit drink box known in the art), the shape of the inner surface  32  will be altered accordingly. It should be further noted from FIGS. 2 and 3 that the inner surface  32  preferably does not form a continuous, closed perimeter due to implementation of the slot  30 , described below. Nonetheless, the inner surface  32  preferably forms a substantially closed perimeter to ensure adequate surface area interaction between the inner surface  32  and the beverage container  12  (FIG.  1 ). For example, with the preferred substantially annular structure, the inner surface  32  referably defines an arc length of at least 180°, more preferably at least 270° In an alternative embodiment, the slot  30  can be formed so as to not extend through the flange body  20  or can be eliminated, such that the inner surface  32  forms a continuous, closed perimeter. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the inner surface  32  includes a first section  50  and a second section  52 . The first section  50  extends from the bottom wall  18 . In the preferred, upright orientation of the snack food container  10 , the first section  50  is substantially vertical. As described in greater below, this vertical configuration facilitates a desired frictional interaction between the first section  50  and a corresponding top portion of the beverage container  12  (FIG.  1 ). With most applications, the beverage container  12  has a circular top. As such, the first section  50  is similarly circular or annular. Further, the top portion of the beverage container  12  will have a known, predetermined diameter. Because the first section  50  is preferably configured to engage the beverage container  12 , the first section  50  preferably has a diameter approximating the predetermined diameter of the beverage container  12 . In one preferred embodiment, the first section  50  defines a diameter in the range of approximately 52-55 mm; most preferably 53 mm. Alternatively, depending upon the particular configuration of the beverage container  12 , the first section  50  can assume other diameters. Even further, the first section  50  need not necessarily be circular, but can assume other shapes commensurate with a shape of the beverage container  12 , such as rectangular. 
     The second section  52  extends downwardly from first section  50 , preferably expanding in diameter. With this configuration, the second section  52  acts as a guide surface for directing the first section  50  into engagement with the beverage container  12  (FIG.  1 ). Alternatively and/or in addition, a shape defined by the second section  52  corresponds with a shape of the upper portion of the beverage container  12 . For example, in one preferred embodiment, the beverage container  12  is a standard 12-ounce (355 mL) aluminum can, the upper portion of which tapers in outer diameter. Where the snack food product container  10  is intended for use with a so-configured beverage container  12 , the second section  52  corresponds in shape. 
     The retention tabs  36  preferably extend in a generally radial fashion from the first section  50  as shown in FIG.  2 . For example, in one preferred embodiment, each of the retention tabs  36  has a radial width or extension of approximately 1 mm, although other dimensions are acceptable. Further, each of the retention tabs  36  is preferably axially spaced from the bottom wall  18 . For example, in one preferred embodiment, each of the retention tabs  36  is axially spaced from the bottom wall  18  by approximately 4 mm. This preferred axial spacing generates a receiving zone  54  between the retention tabs  36  and the bottom wall  18 . In one preferred embodiment, the receiving zone  54  corresponds in axial height with a rim formed by the beverage container  12  (shown as the rim  56  in FIG.  1 ), such that the receiving zone  54  selectively maintains the rim  56  via an interference fit. With this in mind, an axial spacing of the retention tabs  36  relative to the bottom wall  18  can be altered in accordance with a configuration of the available beverage container  12  to which the snack food container  10  is to be attached. Alternatively, the retention tabs  36  can be configured to frictionally engage the beverage container  12 . As best shown in FIG. 3, in one preferred embodiment, three, equidistantly spaced retention tabs  36  are provided. Alternatively, any other number and/or spacing can be employed. Even further, in an alternative embodiment, a frictional fit between the inner surface  32  and the beverage container  12  can be relied upon for selective attachment, such that the retention tabs  36  can be eliminated. 
     The slot  30  is best shown with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The slot  30  preferably extends from the side wall  16  to the bottom wall  18 , passing through the flange body  20 . With this configuration, the slot  30  defines an open portion  60  along the side wall  16  and an open portion  62  along the bottom wall  18 , thereby providing access to regions below the bottom wall  18  from a point exterior the side wall  16 . As described in greater detail below, the slot  30  is sized to facilitate passage of a drinking device, such as a straw, as well as in accordance with an opening in the beverage container  12  (FIG.  1 ). With this in mind, the slot  30  preferably has a width of at least 10 mm; more preferably at least 15 mm. 
     As best shown in FIG. 2, the slot  30  is defined in part by a slot wall  64  extending in a generally angular fashion from the bottom wall  18  to the side wall  16 . In one preferred embodiment, the slot wall  64  forms an angle with the bottom wall  18  in the range of approximately 20-45°, more preferably 30°. It should be recognized that extension of the slot wall  64  reduces an available volume of the internal storage region  26 . Therefore, it is preferred that the slot  30  not extend to the lip  22  of the side wall  16 . In other words, the slot  64  preferably terminates along the side wall  16  at a point spaced from the lip  22  (or the upper opening  24 ). In one preferred embodiment, the slot wall  64  spaced from the lip  22  by a dimension in the range of approximately 20-40 mm, more preferably approximately 33 mm, although other locations are equally acceptable. 
     Termination of the slot wall  64  relative to the bottom wall  18  is dictated, in large part, by a configuration of the beverage container (for example the beverage container  12  shown in FIG. 1) to which the snack food container  10  is to be attached. In particular, the slot  30  is configured to provide access to an opening in the beverage container  12 , as described below. A countervailing constraint resides in the fact that extension of the slot wall  64  relative to the bottom wall  18  reduces an available volume of the internal storage region  26 . Thus, in one preferred embodiment, where the bottom wall  18  has a length (or diameter) L, the slot wall  64  terminates at a location approximately ⅓ the length L. Other configurations are equally acceptable, such that the slot wall  64  can approximately bisect the bottom wall  18  or extend to a distance approximating ⅔ L or greater. 
     Finally, for ease of manufacture, the slot  30  preferably extends through the flange body  20 , as best shown in FIG.  3 . With this configuration, the inner surface  32  preferably does not form a continuous perimeter, as previously described circle and as shown in FIG.  3 . Instead, the inner surface  32  is open at the slot  30 . Alternatively, however, the flange body  20  may be left at least partially intact, thereby encompassing the slot  30 . 
     The snack food container  10 , including the side wall  16 , the bottom wall  18  and the flange body  20 , is preferably integrally formed from a plastic material. Because the snack food container  10  is in direct contact with food, a material approved for food contact should be employed, as is well known in the art. Further, the skilled artisan will appreciate that in other variations, the snack food container  10  can be fabricated such that the side wall  16 , the bottom wall  18  and/or the flange body  20  are separately formed and subsequently assembled. The snack food container  10  is preferably thermoformed from a flat sheet. Alternatively, plastic injection or blow molding techniques can be employed. Regardless of the exact manufacturing approach, the snack food container  10  provides the internal storage region  26  having a volume sufficient to store an appropriate volume of the snack food product  28  (FIG.  1 ). In one preferred embodiment, the internal storage region  26  has a volume of approximately 300 mL, although other volumes are equally acceptable. 
     By employing a material approved for contact with food, the snack food container  10  can be used to maintain a wide variety of different snack food products. For example, the snack food product  28  can be a dry food product, such as a crackers, crispy corn snacks, snack chips, pretzels, potato chips, popcorn, small cookies, cereal-based products (e.g., formed form wheat, oats, or rice), etc. Even further, other commonly available snack food items such as fruit snacks, nuts, etc. can be used as the snack food product  20 . 
     During use, the snack food container  10  is assembled to the beverage container  12  as shown in FIG.  4 . As a point of reference, the beverage container  12  can assume a wide variety of “standard” forms, for example, a cylindrical metal can, a glass or plastic bottle, a plastic drink box, etc. However, in one preferred embodiment, the beverage container  12  is a “standard” 12-ounce (355 mL) aluminum can having a tapered top portion  70  terminating a top panel  71  and in a rim  72 . The so-configured beverage container  12  typically further includes a pull tab  74  used to open a passage  76  in the top panel  71 . The pull tab design is well-known in the art. In fact, beverage containers  12  having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 are essentially standardized such that regardless of manufacturer, the top portion  70 , including the top panel  71  and the rim  72 , will have a predetermined, known diameter. 
     Prior to assembly of the snack food container  10 , the passage  76  is opened via the pull tab  74 . The snack food container  10  is then directed downwardly toward the top portion  70 . The flange body  20 , and in particular the second section  52  of the inner surface  32 , guides the inner surface  32  over the top portion  70 . Further downward movement of the snack food container  10  relative to the beverage container  12  causes the retention tabs  36  to slide over the rim  72  such that the rim  72  is engaged within the receiving zone  54 . In one preferred embodiment, the first section  50  of the inner surface  32  has a diameter approximating a diameter of the rim  72  such that the rim  72  at least partially is frictionally engaged by the inner surface  32 . Interaction between the inner surface  32  and the top portion  70  of the beverage container  12  further supports coupling engagement of the rim  72  within the receiving zone  54  defined by the retention tabs  36 . Alternatively, or in addition, other retaining bodies may be employed apart from the retention tabs  36 . For example, an o-ring design, clips, etc. can be use. Even further, a frictional fit may provide sufficient coupling. 
     Once assembled, the snack food container  10  can be rotated relative to the beverage container  12  such that the slot  30 , and in particular the open portion  62 , is aligned with the passage  76 . A consumer can then access the passage  76  (and thus the contents the beverage container  12 ) from a point exterior of the side wall  16  via the slot  30 . For example, a straw  80  may be provided with the snack food container  10  such as by releasably adhering the straw  80  to the side wall  16  as shown in FIG. 4, where the straw  80  is formed to be bendable. With this configuration, the straw  80  is removed from the side wall  16  and then inserted through the slot  30  and the passage  76 , and into the beverage container  12 . 
     Final assembly of the snack food container  10  to the separate beverage container  12 , including the straw  80 , is shown in FIG.  5 . It should be understood that the straw  80  need not necessarily be provided with the snack food container  10 , but instead can be independently provided by the consumer. Regardless, once assembled, the protective film  14  (FIG. 1) is removed from the lip  22  such that the consumer (not shown) can consume the snack food product  28  (FIG.  1 ). Similarly, the user can consume contents of the beverage container  12  via the straw  80 . Further, where the consumer intends to consume contents of the snack food container  10  and/or the beverage container  12  while traveling (such as in an automobile), the beverage container  12  serves as a base for the snack food container  10 . In other words, the beverage container  12  can be placed within a separate cup holder (not shown). The cup holder serves to support and maintain the beverage container  12  in an upright position. The beverage container  12 , in turn, serves to maintain the snack food container  10  in an upright orientation. Thus, the consumer is not required to hold the snack food container  10  in his or her lap. The combination snack food container  10 /beverage container  12  can easily and repeatedly be removed from the cup holder for consumption with minimal, if any, spillage. Notably, as best shown in FIG. 5, the slot  30  preferably expands in width along the flange body  20 . With this increased width, the slot  30  can accommodate a wide variety of differently sized passages  76 . 
     The snack food container of the present invention provides a marked improvement over previous designs. The snack food container is preferably integrally formed from a plastic material and is therefore relatively inexpensive, Further, by providing the snack food container with a flange body configured to engage an available beverage container, the snack food container can be used in conjunction with available beverage containers for “on-the-go” consumption. In fact, the food container can be sold by retailers in conjunction with various beverages, using the combinable packages for purchasing enticement. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize the changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the snack food container has been described with reference to an available 12-ounce aluminum can. A wide variety of other beverage containers are readily available, such as large-mouthed bottles, drink boxes, etc. For each of these applications, the flange body, and in particular the inner surface, can be configured accordingly such that the snack food container is selectively attachable to the particular beverage container. Further, the slot can be eliminated from the snack food container design, such that the snack food container is repeatedly removed form the beverage container for beverage consumption.