US2008110922A1PendingUtilityA1

Elevating lift dispenser and container for foodstuffs

59
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Mar 9, 2005Filed: Jan 14, 2008Published: May 15, 2008
Est. expiryMar 9, 2025(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Randy D. Sines
B65D 83/76B65D 83/764B65D 21/08B65D 81/22
59
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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Claims

Abstract

Containers for foodstuffs which are resealable and have an elevating lift therein. The lift is preferably operated by an operator that fits within the container to prevent loss of freshness of the foodstuff or other contents. One operator uses a slot or groove which winds at least partially around a tubular operator which is engaged by a follower that extends from the elevator lift. The follower may also engage with a feature on an inside wall of the container to prevent rotation of the lift and provide relative longitudinal motion between the lift platform upon which chips or other foodstuffs are supported so that the contents can be adjusted for easy access. A removable lid allows controlled opening and closing or resealing of the container to keep the foodstuff contents fresh when not being dispensed.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . An apparatus forming a container for foodstuff contents that holds and can controllably seal the foodstuff contents therein and also provide a lift for lifting the foodstuff contents for easier removal by a user as the contents are consumed, comprising: 
 an outer container having an interior cavity, at least one sidewall, a closed end wall and an open end through which contents are dispensed therefrom;    at least one removable cover which is adapted to seal the container when installed thereon to help preserve the contents;    an operator which is received within the container interior cavity;    an interior lift movable within the interior cavity;    at least on follower forming part of the interior lift;    an operator lift actuator which is on the operator for engaging with said at least on follower;    whereby movement of the operator causes the interior lift to move upwardly to present contents supported upon the interior lift to be moved upwardly and foodstuffs be dispensed at different interior lift elevations to facilitate dispensing thereof.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the operator has a cam feature which is engaged by the at least one follower.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which is engaged by the at least one follower.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container and said longitudinal feature is a groove.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least on follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container.    
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container.    
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container.    
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container and said longitudinal feature is a groove.    
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container and said longitudinal feature is a groove.    
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container and said longitudinal feature is a groove.    
   
   
       16 . An apparatus forming a container for foodstuff contents that holds and can controllably seal the foodstuff contents therein and also provide a lift for lifting the foodstuff contents for easier removal by a user as the contents are consumed, comprising: 
 an outer container having an interior cavity, at least one sidewall, a closed end wall and an open end through which contents are dispensed therefrom;    at least one removable cover which is adapted to seal the container when installed thereon to help preserve the contents;    an interior lift movable within the interior cavity at least toward the open end;    at least one operator which is received within the container interior cavity to move the interior lift and any supported contents toward the open end in response to operation of said at least one operator by the user.    
   
   
       17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein said operator turns within the outer container.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the operator includes at least one cam feature which forces the interior lift to move.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower.  
   
   
       22 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container.  
   
   
       23 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container and said longitudinal feature is a groove.  
   
   
       24 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower.  
   
   
       25 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container.    
   
   
       26 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container.    
   
   
       27 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container.    
   
   
       28 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container and said longitudinal feature is a groove.    
   
   
       29 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container and said longitudinal feature is a groove.    
   
   
       30 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container and said longitudinal feature is a groove.    
   
   
       31 . An apparatus having a canister with an opening which can be controllably opened and closed using a closure, and a mechanism within the canister which has an interior lift which can be operated to raise or move foodstuffs toward the opening for access by a user wishing to remove the foodstuffs.  
   
   
       32 . An apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein said operator turns within the canister.  
   
   
       33 . An apparatus according to  claim 31  where the operator includes at least one cam feature which forces the interior lift to move.  
   
   
       34 . An apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by at least one follower.  
   
   
       35 . An apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower.  
   
   
       36 . An apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower.  
   
   
       37 . An apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein the follower also engages a longitudinal restraint to resist longitudinal movement of the operator relative to the canister.  
   
   
       38 . An apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein the mechanism includes a guide feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container to prevent rotation of the interior lift.  
   
   
       39 . An apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower.  
   
   
       40 . An apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal guide feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container.    
   
   
       41 . An apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal guide feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container.    
   
   
       42 . An apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal guide feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container.    
   
   
       43 . An apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container and said longitudinal feature is a groove.    
   
   
       44 . An apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container and said longitudinal feature is a groove.    
   
   
       45 . An apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein: 
 the operator has a cam feature in the form of a slot having serrations which curves in an approximate helical shape up the side of the operator and is engaged by the at least one follower;    the follower also engages a longitudinal feature formed along an inner sidewall of the container and said longitudinal feature is a groove.    
   
   
       46 . A method for containing and dispensing foodstuffs, comprising: 
 selecting an apparatus having a canister with an opening and an interior compartment, an enclosed lift operator substantially within said canister interior compartment, and a removable closure which can be used to controllably open or reseal the canister;    packing said canister with at least one foodstuff;    removing said closure;    operating the lift operator to move said at least one foodstuff toward the opening;    removing at least portions of said at least one foodstuff;    resealing said canister by installing the closure over the opening in said canister.    
   
   
       47 . A method for containing and dispensing foodstuffs, comprising packing a canister with at least one foodstuff by installing the at least one foodstuff into the canister through an opening and positioning said foodstuff upon an adjustable lift and sealing the canister with a closure.

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