Patent Publication Number: US-2018037369-A1

Title: Food Container

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to the field of food containers, in particular, a popcorn container comprising openings which allow for the even distribution of flavoring over the popcorn contained within. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Popcorn is a popular snack which is consumed as many entertainment events including the movies, sporting events, fairs and circuses. Often popcorn is sold to a costumer prefilled in a container and the customer is allowed to top the popcorn with liquefied butter or other flavoring to his or her liking. However, because the popcorn is already dispensed in the container before being given to the customer, the customer can only apply additional flavoring to the popcorn kernels at the top of the container, leaving the kernels in the middle and the bottom of the container without butter or flavoring. 
     Customers buying popcorn may be allowed to reapply flavoring as they eat past the top layer. However, in order to do so they would have to go back to a centrally located butter dispenser, causing them to miss part of the entertainment event. Thus, there is a need for a container which allows for even distribution of a flavoring such as butter onto the food contained therein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides a container comprising at least one opening located on the body of the container and wherein said opening can be opened and closed without the contents of the container spilling out of the container. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides a bag for holding popcorn comprising a series of small openings over the exterior of the bag wherein said openings can be opened and closed without the contents of the bag spilling from the container when the opening is opened. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 : Front and side views of container comprising at least one opening located on the body of the container for applying flavoring to the popcorn within. 
         FIG. 2 : Front and side views of a container wherein the opening located on the body of the container are distributed near the bottom of the container. 
         FIG. 3 : Detailed drawing of an opening located in the body of the container wherein the outside flap of the opening extends higher than the top of the opening. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, the novel container of this invention can be better understood by reference to  FIG. 1 . Illustrated in  FIG. 1  is a container indicated generally at  10 . The container has a front panel ( 11 ), a rear panel ( 12 ) and two side panels ( 13  and  14 ) having an optional fold ( 15 ). The container has an open top (top of the container) for filling the container with food, such as popcorn ( 16 ). There is an interface between the front and/or side panels of the container and the side panel of the container as is depicted as  18  in  FIG. 1 . 
     The container comprises at least one opening within the front, rear and/or side panels of the container ( 17 ). In one embodiment, said at least one opening is contained within the interface between the front and/or side panel of the container ( 19 ). In one embodiment the container comprises several openings other that the top of the container. In one aspect the second openings located in the body of the container are evenly distributed over the body of the container. Even distribution of the openings located on the body of the container may allow for even distribution of flavoring over the contents of the container. 
     In one aspect, the openings located within the body of the container may not be evenly distributed over the body of the container to allow for distribution of flavoring in one area, i.e., the bottom of the container compared with the top. As is shown in  FIG. 2 , is a container generally indicated by  20  and the bottom half of the container is indicated by the dotted line ( 30 ). In some instances, the openings contained within the body of the container are distributed more frequently in the bottom half of the container compared to the top half of the container. In some instances, the opening are contained only in the bottom half of the container. 
     In one aspect, the opening located within the body of the container are shaped to allow flavoring to be poured into the container while preventing the contents of the container from falling through the opening within the body of the container. In one embodiment, the opening within the body of the container is sealable. Referring to  FIG. 3 , an opening contained within the body of the container ( 40 ) may have material that extends above the top of the opening ( 41 ). This extension of material may help to prevent the contents of the container from falling out of the container with the opening is opened. This extension of material may also act as a funnel to help distribute the flavoring as it is applied. The size of the opening can be made to prevent the contents from falling out while allowing flavoring to be applied. 
     Thus, in one embodiment, a container is provided comprising at least one opening located on the body of the container and wherein said opening can be opened and closed without the contents of the container spilling out of the container. In one aspect, the container further comprises at least one second opening located on the body of the container. In one aspect the container comprises a series of opening within the body of the container. In one aspect, said openings are distributed evenly across the body of the container. In one embodiment, said openings are located near the bottom of the container. As is understood, flavoring can be applied to the contents of the container through the top opening of the container, thus, in some instances it is desirable to have more of the openings located within the body of the container located near the bottom of the container. In one embodiment, the size of the opening within the body of the container is large enough to allow flavoring to be applied to the contents of the container, but too small to allow any of the contents of the container to fall out of the container through the opening. In one embodiment, the container is a bag for holding popcorn. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the container is made from material selected from paper, plastic and cloth. In another embodiment of the present invention, the container is a paper bag wherein said paper optionally comprises a water resistant coating. 
     In another embodiment, said at least one opening can be optionally sealed after opening. The opening may sealed by adhesive. In one embodiment, said at least one opening comprises a slit in the container wherein the exterior portion of the slit extends upwards beyond the opening. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides a bag for holding popcorn comprising a series of small openings over the exterior of the bag wherein said openings can be opened and closed without the contents of the bag spilling out when the opening is opened. In one aspect, said openings are distributed in a manner over the bag in order to allow for even distribution of flavoring on the contents of the bag without removing the contents from the bag. In one aspect, the flavoring is a liquid flavoring. In one aspect the flavoring is selected from the group consisting of: butter, sugar in water, flavored oil, and flavored syrup. In one aspect the flavoring is a powder. In one aspect of the invention the flavoring is in powdered. In one aspect the flavoring comprises an edible salt, sugar and/or spices. In one aspect the flavoring is selected from salt, spice mixture, and/or sugar.