Method for packaging and dispensing of food items

Abstract

A method of packaging food items, such as cupcake type food items, into a dispenser for future consumption. The dispenser includes a hollow vessel, such as a tube, with openings at both ends. The food items are placed within the hollow vessel and a cap is placed over one end and a dispensing mechanism is placed over the opposing end. By removing the cap and actuating the dispensing mechanism, the food items are forced out of the tube for consumption.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for packaging of food items, the method comprises the actions of:
 placing a food compilation comprising layers of a first type of food item and at least one second type of food item into the interior of a cylindrical tube with openings on opposing ends;   inserting a dispensing mechanism into a first end of the cylindrical tube;   placing a cap on the second end of the cylindrical tube;   wherein the dispensing mechanism can be actuated to force the food compilation out of the second end of the cylindrical tube by applying a force to the dispensing mechanism in the direction of the second end.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the action of placing a food compilation into the interior of a cylindrical tube comprises placing alternating layers of cake and frosting into the cylindrical tube. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the action of placing alternating layers of cake and frosting into the cylindrical tube comprises placing a cake layer proximate to the first end and ending with a frosting layer proximate to the second end. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the action of inserting a dispensing mechanism further comprises the actions of inserting a base into the first end of the cylindrical tube and coupling a plunger to side of the base that is proximate to the first end. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the action of placing a cap on the second end of the cylindrical tube further comprise snapping the cap over the second end. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior of the cylindrical tube includes threads proximate to the second end and, the cap includes groves on the interior side of the cap and, the action of placing a cap on the second end of the cylindrical tube further comprises screwing the cap into position. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the action of placing a food compilation into the interior of a cylindrical tube comprises placing alternating layers of cake and frosting into the cylindrical tube with each of the layers being of substantially uniform size. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the action of placing a food compilation into the interior of a cylindrical tube comprises placing alternating layers of cake and frosting into the cylindrical tube with each of the layers are irregularly shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the action of placing a food compilation into the interior of a cylindrical tube comprises placing layers of at least two different kinds of cake and at least one kind of frosting into the cylindrical tube. 
     
     
         10 . A method for packaging of food items, the method comprises the actions of:
 placing a cap on a tube, wherein the tube includes an upper opening and a lower opening and the cap is placed on the upper opening;   orienting the tube and cap assembly such that the cap and upper opening are placed down onto a surface;   placing a food compilation comprising layers of a first type of food item and at least one second type of food item into the interior of a tube by inserting each layer into the lower opening of the tube and forcing the food compilation downward as each successive layer is added until the tube is almost full;   inserting a dispensing mechanism into a lower opening of the tube;   wherein the dispensing mechanism can be actuated to force the food compilation out of the upper end of the cylindrical tube after the cap is removed by applying a force to the dispensing mechanism in the direction of the upper opening.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the action of placing a food compilation into the interior of the tube comprises placing alternating layers of cake and frosting into the tube. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the action of placing alternating layers of cake and frosting into the tube comprises placing a frosting layer into the lower opening first and ending with placing a cake layer into the lower opening. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the action of inserting a dispensing mechanism further comprises the actions of inserting a base into the lower opening of the tube and coupling a plunger to side of the base that is proximate to the lower opening. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the action of placing a cap on the upper opening of the tube further comprise snapping the cap over the upper opening. 
     
     
         15 . A method for packaging of food items, the method comprises the actions of:
 inserting a dispensing mechanism into a tube, wherein the tube includes an upper opening and a lower opening and the dispensing mechanism is placed into the lower opening;   orienting the tube and dispensing mechanism assembly such that the upper opening is facing upwards;   placing a food compilation comprising layers of a first type of food item and at least one second type of food item into the interior of a tube by inserting each layer into the upper opening of the tube and forcing the food compilation downward as each successive layer is added until the tube is almost full;   placing a cap over the upper opening of the tube;   wherein the dispensing mechanism can be actuated to force the food compilation out of the upper end of the cylindrical tube after the cap is removed by applying a force to the dispensing mechanism in the direction of the upper opening.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the action of placing a food compilation into the interior of the tube comprises placing alternating layers of cake and frosting into the tube. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the action of placing alternating layers of cake and frosting into the tube comprises placing a cake layer into the upper opening first and ending with placing a frosting layer into the upper opening. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the action of inserting a dispensing mechanism further comprises the actions of inserting a base into the lower opening of the tube and coupling a plunger to side of the base that is proximate to the lower opening. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the action of placing a cap on the upper opening of the tube further comprise snapping the cap over the upper opening.