Snack food dispenser packaging

Abstract

An elongated container with an elevator to position items near the opening of a container for easy access. The elevator includes a base and a member for engaging and disengaging the inner sidewall of the container depending upon the orientation of the container. Items are stored inside the container, on the base of the elevator. After removal of a portion of the items from the container, the opening of the container is covered, and the container is inverted. With the container in an inverted position, the elevator slides freely within the container and moves the remaining items toward the covered opening of the container. When the container is returned to its upright position, the member engages the inner sidewall of the container, preventing movement of the elevator within the container, such that the remaining items are easily accessible from the opening of the container.

1 . A snack food container, comprising:
 a cylindrical body having a closed bottom, an open top, and an inner sidewall,   a removable cover for the top of the container; and   an elevator movable in the cylindrical body for supporting a stack of food items stored inside the container and for moving the stack of food items toward the open top of the container upon inversion of the container after food items are removed for consumption, such that the stack of food items in the container remains readily accessible near the top of the container as food items are consumed, the elevator including means for interacting with the inner sidewall of the container to prevent movement of the elevator in the container when the container is in an upright position when the cover is removed from the container and the food items are being consumed, and to allow the elevator to move freely in the container when the container is in an inverted position with the cover placed over the top of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The snack food container of  claim 1 , further comprising a lining disposed on the inner sidewall of the container, the lining having periodic disturbances, and wherein the means for interacting with the inner sidewall of the container comprises tabs or ears extending from the elevator that engage the disturbances of the lining when the container is in an upright position, and that disengage the disturbances of the lining when the container is in an inverted position. 
     
     
         3 . The snack food container of  claim 2 , wherein the lining comprises a plurality of corrugations. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The snack food container of  claim 1 , wherein the elevator includes a base provided with at least one air vent hole. 
     
     
         6 . The snack food container of  claim 1 , wherein the elevator includes a base and a sidewall extending from the base. 
     
     
         7 . The snack food container of  claim 1 , wherein the container has a smooth inner sidewall, and the means for interacting with the inner sidewall of the container comprises a least one rubber tipped member pivotally attached to the elevator, wherein, when the container is in the upright position, the rubber tipped member is angled downwardly against the inner sidewall of the container so as to prevent movement of the elevator from the top to the bottom of the container and, when the container is in the inverted position, the rubber tipped member is angled upwardly against the inner sidewall of the container so as to allow free movement of the elevator from the bottom to the top of the container. 
     
     
         8 . A snack food container with an open top, a removable cover for the top of the container, and a contractible space inside the container for storing a consumable food product, the container comprising a movable platform that slides freely inside the container beneath the food product in a direction from bottom to top, such that, after consumption of a portion of the food product, inversion of the container with the cover secured over the top causes the food product to move toward the top and the movable platform to rest against the food product remaining in the container and limit the air space surrounding the remaining food product, thereby preserving freshness of the remaining food product.