Container with content lift system

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.

1 . A container having variable height storage wherein the container comprises: 
 a floor;    at least one wall connected to the floor wherein the one wall has an inside portion and an outside portion wherein the inside portion defines a cavity having an upper portion and a lower portion;    a material pan having a top and a bottom inside the cavity wherein the outside walls of the material pan are in contact with the inside portion of the at least one wall;    at least one spring wherein the spring is in contact with the bottom of the material pan and the floor of the container.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the upper portion of the cavity contains a retainer ring which extends from the inside portion of the at least one wall into the upper portion of the cavity and prevents the passage of the material pan.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the top of the material pan contains a gasket which surrounds the top of the material pan and is in contact with the inside portion of the at least one wall.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the gasket makes a watertight seal between the top of the material pan and the inside portion of the at least one wall.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the bottom of the material pan contains at least one spring insert to house the at least one spring.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the bottom of the container contains at least one spring insert to house the at least one spring.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the spring has a spring rating such that the material pan is at the top portion of the cavity.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the spring has a spring rating such that the weight of bulk material inserted into the container causes the material pan to lower such that the bulk material is at the top portion of the cavity.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container is round.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container is square shaped.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container is triangular shaped.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container also comprise a removable lid.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the removable lid is secured with a snap closure.  
   
   
       14 . A method for storing bulk particular material in a container with variable height storage, the method comprising the steps of: 
 inserting the bulk material into the variable height storage container wherein the container comprises 
 a floor;  
 at least one wall connected to the bottom wherein the one wall has an inside portion and an outside portion wherein the inside portion defines a cavity having an upper portion and a lower portion;  
 a material pan having a top and a bottom inside the cavity wherein the outside walls of the material pan are in contact with the inside portion of the at least one wall; and  
 at least one spring wherein the spring is in contact with the bottom of the material pan and the floor of the container and the spring has a spring rating such that the weight of the bulk material inserted into the container causes the material pan to lower such that the bulk material is at the top portion of the cavity; and  
   removing at least a portion of the bulk material wherein the removal reduces the weight of the bulk material inserted into the container causes the material pan to raise such that the bulk material remains at the top portion of the cavity.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the top of the material pan contains a gasket which surrounds the top of the material pan and is in contact with the inside portion of the at least one wall.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the container also comprises a removable lid.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the container is round.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the container is square shaped.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the container is triangular shaped.  
   
   
       20 . A container having variable height storage wherein the container comprises: 
 a floor;    at least one wall connected to the bottom wherein the one wall has an inside portion and an outside portion wherein the inside portion defines a cavity;    a material pan having a top and a bottom inside the cavity wherein the outside walls of the material pan are in contact with the inside portion of the at least one wall; and    at least one spring wherein the spring is in contact with the bottom of the material pan and the floor of the container.