Patent Document

CLAIM FOR PRIORITY 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of prior application Ser. No. 10/794,597 filed Mar. 8, 2004, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1) Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to packaged food product storage, preservation and dispensing. 
     2) Discussion of the Related Art 
     Storage of large bulk food items for animals has always been inconvenient, especially for those with limited space. Pet owners have little option, given the available products, to effectively use their limited space. Furthermore, for those with no space, find that outside storage is the only alternative. Because a majority of food buying is now in bulk, food storage can span from weeks to months, before it is depleted. The long length of time consistently exposes the food to oxygen, microbes, fungus, and in the case of outdoor storage, rain, wind, snow and sunlight. 
     The disadvantages of current pet food dispensers are that, many are too small to accommodate large bulk bags. They must then be refilled every few days of use. Those that have the space to store the bulk bags, generally lack the preservation means for the bag contents. Many simply crumble up the ends of the bag. This action does nothing to preserve the contents, exposing the food to oxygen, microbes and fungus. This situation becomes dire for those who are relegated to outdoor storage. There the bulk bag is also subject to extreme elements such as wind, sun, rain and snow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a Zipper Box Cover covering open box full of cornflakes. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a Zipper Box Cover covering a plate with food ready to be eaten. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view that shows clearly the Zipper Box Cover. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of components of a product delivery system for foodstuffs. 
         FIG. 5  is a section view. 
         FIG. 7  is a view of a zipper bag and zipper eyelet 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective-view a securing strap, including, a handle and a locking mechanism. 
         FIG. 7  is a view of a zipper bag and zipper eyelet 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of an adjustable body, illustrating spring-loaded retainers of first and second retainer components and a securing recess. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the adjustable body in detail, including the securing recess, the first and second retainer components, a first and a second housing and a first and a second, upper and lower plurality of sizing members. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of components of a product delivery system for foodstuffs, including the cover. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 4  of the accompanying drawings illustrates a product delivery system according to an embodiment of the invention, which includes a protective cover  28 , an eyelet clip  36 , a securing strap  42 , a zipper bag  50  and an adjustable body  60 . 
       FIG. 5  of the accompanying drawings illustrates the protective cover  28  in more detail, including a shell  30 , an interconnected eyelet member  32  and a first hook  34  and a second hook  34 A.  FIG. 6  of the accompanying drawings illustrates the eyelet clip  36  and the zipper bag  50  in more detail. The eyelet clip  36  includes a connected first parallel eyelet member  38  and a second parallel eyelet member  40 . The zipper bag  50  includes a flexible clear body  52 , a zipper  58 , a first zipper eyelet  54 , a second zipper eyelet  54 A and a fastener  56 .  FIG. 7  of the accompanying drawings illustrates the securing strap  42  in more detail, including, a strap  44 , a handle  46  and a locking mechanism  48 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates of the accompanying drawings illustrates a cross-section of the first adjuster  62  of the adjusting body  60 .  FIG. 9  illustrates the adjustable body  60 . The adjustable body is comprised of a first adjuster  62  and a second adjuster  78 . The first adjuster is comprised of a first housing  64  and a second housing  64 A, a first securing recess  66  and a first retainer component  68  and a second retainer component  68 A. The retainer components are comprised of adjusting levers  70 , and  70 A, upper sizing clips  72  and  72 A, lower sizing clips  74  and  74 A, spring-loaded retainers  76  and  76 A. 
     The second adjuster is comprised of a second securing recess  80 , a first upper plurality of sizing members  82 , a lower plurality of sizing members  84 , a second upper plurality of sizing members  82 A, a lower plurality of sizing members  84 A. 
     In use, the product delivery system provides an effective means to store, preserve and dispense packaged food products. The eyelet clip  36  is connected to the packaged product by depressing said clip, disengaging the first and second parallel eyelet members  38  and  40 , and then releasing said clip to connect with the product package 
     The adjustable body  60  is then inserted into the open product package. The adjustable body  60  provides the initial stability and function by adjusting to the maximum diameter of a packaged food product. Upon insertion of the second adjuster  78  into the first housing  64  and second housing  64 A of the first adjuster  62 , the first and second upper  82  and  82 A, and lower  84  and  84 A, plurality of sizing members make contact with the upper sizing clips  72  and  72 A and lower sizing clips  74  and  74 A of the first retainer component  68  and second retainer component  68 A. 
     The adjusting levers  70  and  70 A are depressed, the upper  72  and  72 A, and lower  74  and  74 A, sizing clips disengage, and allow for further insertion of the second adjuster  78  to fit the diameter of the product package, once released, the spring-loaded retainers  76  and  76 A spring forward, engaging the plurality of sizing members, resulting in a stable system and creating an open portion for dispensing the product. 
     Once the adjustable body is within the product package, the zipper bag  50  is placed over the opened portion of the product package, created by the adjustable body  60 , enveloping the product package, thus placing a lining of the product package in between said adjustable body  60  and zipper bag  50 . In one embodiment, the zipper bag can be adjustable to fit over any sized product package. 
     The securing strap  42  is placed around the zipper bag  50 , the packaged product, and rests inside the connected first securing recess  66  and second securing recess  80  of the adjustable body  60 . In one embodiment, the securing strap is elastic. The handle  46  is opened and strap  44  is then pulled, creating an airtight pocket over the open portion of the product package, allowing for maximum protection from oxidation, microbes and fungus. The locking mechanism  48  then aids in maintaining the security once the handle  46  is closed. 
     The interconnected eyelet member  32  of the protective cover  28  slides between the first and second parallel eyelet members  38  and  40  of the eyelet clip  36 . The first and second hooks  34  and  34 A of the protective cover  28  connect with the first and second zipper eyelet  54  and  54 A in order to maintain the stability of the system. In one embodiment, said first hook  34  and second hook  34 A, are adjustable, and can be connected to any size zipper bag  50  with respective zipper eyelets  54  and  54 A. Upon vertical hanging, a hook, will pierce the first parallel eyelet member, the interconnected eyelet member  38  and the second parallel eyelet member  40 , connecting and holding the product package, vertically, and within the protective cover  28 . 
     The number of pet owners is consistently increasing. Many owners try and save money by buying food in bulk. Most often, pet owners find storage space limited due to the large quantity of food in bulk bags, and in some cases, they find that outside storage is the only option. Food bags can also be cumbersome and heavy to move around. Today, the quantities of pet food range from 6-50 lbs. The product delivery system provides for efficient use of limited storage space, preservation and ease of dispensing large bulk food items. 
     An advantage of the product delivery system is its vertical positioning. In an embodiment of the invention, a hook can hang the product delivery system vertically. The hook pierces the respective eyelets of, the first and second parallel eyelet members of the eyelet clip, as well as the interconnected eyelet member of the protective cover. This allows storage of a bulk-packaged product in a variety of areas that would ordinarily not be used. Moreover, because some owners are faced with limited space and must store food outdoors, the protective cover provides the necessary protection from the outdoor elements, effectively increasing the lifespan of the packaged product. 
     Another advantage of the product delivery system is its unique ability to preserve the contents of the bulk-packaged items. Using large quantities of food increases the amount of time spent exposed to the environment. Because animals eat such small portions the food containers can spend weeks, even months, exposed to oxygen, microbes and fungus. The product delivery system is equipped with a zipper bag that effectively reduces this exposure by employing very unique elements. 
     Paramount to these elements is the securing strap and recess. The securing strap is comprised of a strap, handle and locking mechanism. The strap can be effectively pulled to its maximum tension strength by use of the handle and locked into position by the locking mechanism. A securing recess, which is comprised of a first securing recess on the first adjuster and a second recess on the second adjuster, once connected, allows for the securing strap to rest within. This securing recess is another barrier to the introduction of oxygen into the packaged product, thus increasing its longevity. 
     The second element is the clear through plastic flexible cover. This cover is impermeable to the elements, providing safe storage of food for a prolonged period of time. As an added safeguard, the clear plastic allows an end user to primarily survey the contents of the bag, to ensure quality. Fungus is easy to spot and is indicative of contamination of the food source. 
     Generally, pet owners resort to using a cup or other utensil to reach in and pull out portions of food. An advantage of the product delivery system is its unique dispensing method. The zipper bag is comprised of a flexible clear body, a first and second zipper eyelet and a fastener. While the respective eyelets are connected to the protective cover hooks, the fastener can be moved with one hand, providing ease of dispensing product. 
     While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the current invention, and that this invention is not restricted to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described since modification may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

Technology Category: 7