| What is claimed is: 1. A combination food container and oral-device facility, comprising: at least one food container, and at least one removably attached oral-device 2. The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim i wherein said food container is selected from a group consisting of a eating plate, bo l, tray, platters, serving dishes and combinations thereof. 3, The combs nation food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim I wherein said food container is a prepackaged food container. 4, The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim I wherein said oral- device is selected from a group consisting of a toothpick, Interdental brush, mounted dental floss, flosser, flosser with toothpick, tongue cleaner, oral brush, flosser with toothpick and combinations thereof, 5. The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim I wherein said oral- device is selected from a group consisting of a fork, spoon, spork, knife, spatula, tongs, chopsticks and/or combinations thereof. 6, The combination, food container and oral-device facility as defined in. claim 5 wherein said oral- device is further configured with another oral-de vice selected from a. group consisting of a toothpick, interdental brush, mounted dental floss, flosser, flosser with toothpick, tongue cleaner, oral brush, flosser with toothpick and corabi.nat.ions thereof. ?, The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim 1 wherein said oral- device is permanently attached to food container. 8. The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim 1. wherein said oral- device is disp.taeah.ly attached to food container. 9. The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined so claim 8 wherein said oral- device is mechanically attached and intended for user removal, deployment and use. 10. The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim 8 wherein said oral- device is adhesively attached and intended for user removal, deployment and use. 1 1 . The combination food ont iner and oral-device facility as defined in claim 8 wherein said oral- device is snapped-away at score line location for user removal, deployment and use, 12. The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim 8 wherein said oral- device is hent-a ay at a bend line location for user deployment and use while still attached to said food container. 13. The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said oral-devices is attached in a method selected from a group consisting of permanently attached, mechanicall attached, adhesively attached, snap-away attached, bend-away attached and combinations thereof. 14. The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim i wherein at least one of said food container and oral-device facility is attached to a different and said food container and oral-device facility, 15. The combination, food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim 14 wherein said attachment method is permanent. 16. The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim 14 wherein, said attachment method is removably separable, 17. The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim 14 wherein said attachment method is bend-away displ eeabie. 18. The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim 14 wherein at least one of said food containers and oral-device facilities is instead a food, container. 1 . The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said, food container arid oral-device facilities is composed from plastic. 20. The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claim 19 wherein said food container and oral-device facilit is a single molded part. 21 , The combination food container and oral-device facility as defined in claims I , S 9 and 20 wherein said food, container and oral-device facility farther comprises temporality sealed item storage compartments, sealing substance intended for removal by user to access stored items. |
Jackson L. Crisp
For
FOOD CONTAINER INCORPORATING ORAL FACILITY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
jOOOI] The present invention is in the fields of food containers and oral related devices such as oral hygienic devices and eating utensils, more particularly the invention .relates to an food container that incorporates at least one oral hygienic device and/or eating utensil,
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
{00021 Eating activity often involves the use of disposable ' food containers typically at away-from-home locations where oral -devices such as ea tin utensils for eating and oral hygienic devices for teeth cleaning after eating are ' unavailable. Such eating activity may include planned picnics, picnics-on-the-go, fast food, takeout, mass produced pre-maid meals, lunch boxes, bagged lunches at work, eating-on-ihe-go, delivered specialties, catered food engagements, entertainment events, birthdays, eoekta l~pa.tties, weddings and other parties.
DISCUSSION OF NOWN ART
100031 U.S. patent 6,129,550 to Culberson EDUCATING SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDE ABOUT PLACE SET shows a food container (tray) with designated flatware locating features.
00 3 U.S. patent 5,222,622 to Laske for DETACHABLE CONNECTION BETWEE A CONTAINER AND A UTENSIL shows dinner plate intended to double as a eating utensil holder.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
}0005| it is a primary object of the present invention to provide disposable food container incorporating at least one oral-device such as an toothpick, interdental brush, dental floss, flosser, fork, spoon, spork, knife and/or spatula; whereas the oral hygienic devices could be used to maintain good oral health at eating events where oral hygienic devices may not be otherwise available; and. whereas the eating devices could be used at eating locations where eating utensils may not be otherwise available.
{0006} It is & further object to provide an embodiment where at least one oral-device such as an toothpick, interdental brush, dental floss, flosser, fork, spoon, spork, knife and/or spatula is detacbabiy attached to disposable food container at a snap-away score-line location. }G0O7] It is still yet another object to provide an embodiment where at least one oral -device such s a toothpick, interdental brush, denial floss, flosser, fork, spoon, spork, knife, spatula and/or a flosser with toothpick is removably bundled with the disposable food container ideally m such a way that disposable food containers such as plates, trays and bowls an be optimally stacked during roa ¾cturing for mass distribution,
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
jfHKtit] T he foregoing objects have been met in the present invention wherein an. food container such as an eating plate* dish, platter, bowl, pre-packaged food container or a combination thereof is equipped with at least one oral-device such as an toothpick, interdental brush, mounted dental floss, flosser, fork, spoon, spork, knife, spatula and/or a flosser with toothpick for use at eating locations where oral hygienic items may not be otherwise available.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
10 09}
The above and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully understood from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings in which each drawing represents an embodiment of the present invention:
pTO! ]
FIG. 1 shows a top view of a single food container configured with a low profile cavity; containing a removable flosser with toothpick oral-device.
{00111
FIG. 2 shows a section view of three FIG. 1 similar food, containers, section view taken at the A-A location depicted in FIG. L
{(KM2J
FIG, 3 depicts a cutaway top-view of a food container configured with an initially guarded and snap-away removable toothpick with tabbed finger grip oral-device.
(0013
FIG. 4 shows a cutaway top-view of a food container configured, with an initially guarded and snap-away removable flosser with toothpick oral-device.
{0014}
FIG. 5 shows a cutaway top-view of a food contai ner configured with an initially guarded and snap-away removable flosser and an initially guarded and snap-away removable toothpick; both oral-devices configured with a tabbed finger grip. {0015)
FIG, 6 shows a cutaway top-view of a food container configured with an initially guarded and snap-away removable spoon, eating utensil oral-device.
{00 J $|
FIG. 7 shows a top-view of a flosser with toothpick oral-device configured with both a finger grip region arid snap-away anchor tabs.
10017}
FIG. 8 shows a top-view of a toothpick oral-device configured with bot a tabbed finger grip and a snap- away anchor tab.
} 00181
FIG. 9 shows a cutaway top-view of a food container with FIG. 8 toothpick oral -device incorporated into the edge of food container at the toothpick anchor tab location.
{ ' 001.91
FIG. ' 10 shows a. cutaway top-view of a food container with spoon eating utensil oral-device incorporated into the edge of food container at the spoon anchor tab locations.
10020)
FIG. 1 .1 shows a top-view of t wo snap-away connected food containers with oral devices.
10021)
FIG. 12 shows a cutaway-section top -view of a stack of food containers such as a plate each configured with a. removable toothpick,
{00221
FIG. 13 shows the section view of the food containers depicted in FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
{00:231 FI - ί depicts a food container 1 configured with an oral-device cavity ic, containing an adhesively attached fiosser with toothpick lb oral-device, intended for deployment: and use after eating* where device cavity would typically be the same depth as the food container .1 uniform thic.kne$s.
Furthermore food container 1 is configured with an optional cutout clearance region Id which, allows for optimal stacking of more than one food container I by allowing the oral-device cavity ic to he nested there within when alternating orientation and stacking more than one food container i , also see 1G.2. Food container i is also configured with food cavity le, intended to contain food. Alternative embodiments allow for different shapes of food container; and/ r also allow for more than one oral- device cavity and/or food cavity; and/or allow for different size, shape and design of oral-device cavity and/or food cavity; and/or allow for more than one oral-device per each oral-device cavity; and/or oral- device and food cavity can be initially covered by film, removable lid and/or similar; and/or adhesive used to initiall secure flosser with toothpick, inside oral-device cavity could instead be replaced with a snap and or interference fit type of food container integrated features, intended to removably secure flosser with toothpick oral-device, adhesive preferably is non-toxic and environmental friendly.
{0024} FIG . 2 depicts a section view of three FIG. l similar and identical food, containers, food container 2, 2' and 2", section view taken at the A-A location depicted in FIG, I ; food cavity 2e being stacked into food cavity 2e' which is stacked into food cavity 2e"; oral-device cavity 2c containing flosser with toothpick 2b oral-device, nested into food container 2' cutout clearance region 2d', allowing for optimal stacking of food containers; alternating stacking sequence shown with food container 2" being stacked into food container 2 ' allows for optimally stacking of more than one food container oral-device cavity 2e" containing flosser with toothpick also shown.
{0025} FIG, 3 depicts a food container 3 configured with an attached toothpick 3b oral-device, protected on a!! sides by adjacent food container material 3d and made to snap off at score line 3c. where the plastic material is made thinner as required to enable the snap-away capability, food container 3 Is configured with food cavity 3e similar to FiG. .1 , toothpick. 3b is configured with tab finger grip 3b'. in alternative embodiments for food container 3 is configured with more than one oral-device,
[0026 FIG, 4 depicts a food container 4 configured with an attached flosser with toothpick 4b oral- device, protected by adjacent food container material 4d and made to snap-away at score line 4e; flosser portion configured with a permanently attached string of dental floss 4f; food container 4 configured with food cavity 4e similar to FIG. 1 , flosser with toothpick 4b is configured with finger grip area 4b \ hi alternative embodiments for food container 4 is configured with more than one oral-device.
{0027} FIG. 5 depicts a food container S configured with attached flosser 5b and toothpick Sh\ both oral- devices protected by adjacent, food container material 5d and Sd' respectively and made to snap-away at score lines 5c and 5c * respectively; flosser portion 5b configured with a permanently attached string of dental floss 5f; food container S is configured with food cavity Se similar to FIG. 1, flosser 5b and toothpick 5b' are configured with finger grip tabs, in alternative embodiments food container 5 is configured with a flosser 5b only and/or food container 5 is configured with two of more oral-devices. {0028} FIG. 6 depicts a food container 6 configured with an attached eating spoon 6b oral-device, protected by adjacent food container .material 6d and made to snap-away at score line 6c; food container 6 is configured with food cavity 6e similar to FIG . 1 , In alternative embodiments food container 6 is configured with more than one oral-device. In other embodiments at least one oral-device is selected from a group of eating-utensils including a fork, spoon, spork, knife, spatula, tongs, chopsticks and/or combinations thereof; andfor at least one oral-hygienic oral-device selected from a toothpick, interdental brush, mounted dental floss, flosser, ilosser with toothpick, tongue cleaner, oral brush, flosser with toothpick and/or combinations thereof.
{ ' (M)29| FIG, 7 depicts a ilosser with toothpick 7 oral-device configured with anchor tabs 7b, made to snap-away at score line 7c; Ilosser portion configured with it permanently attached, string of dental -floss 7f; anchor tabs 7b ar intended for mold/press incorporation and/or mechanical attachment to appiicab!y objects such as a food container; with anchor tabs 7b incorporated into an object, ilosser with toothpick 7 is then snap-away deployed from anchor tabs 7b leaving anchor tabs 7b embedded in said object; anchor tab hole 7d aid in. securing anchor tab 7b in said object material..
f OT30j FIG. 8 depicts a toothpick 8 oral-device configured with a finger grip tab 8a' and anchor tab 8b, made to snap-away at score Sine 8c; anchor tab 8b as in FIG. 7 is intended to be mold press incorporated and/or mechanical attached to any appiicabiy object such as a food container; with anchor tab 8b incorporated into an object, toothpick 8 is then snap-away deployed from anchor tab 8 ' b leaving anchor tab 8b embedded in said object; anchor tab hole 8d aids in securing anchor tab 8b in said object material Alternative embodiments contain more than one anchor fab; and/or anchor tabs vary in number, shape, location, size and design; and/or anchor tabs have more than one anchor tab hole; and/or anchor tabs have low profile thickness so as to minimize displacement of surrounding anchor tab incorporated object material
0031J FIG. 9 depicts a food container 9 configured with a Fill 8 similar toothpick 9b oral-device with anchor tab 9c mold incorporated therein, toothpick 9b initially protected by food container material 9fand made to snap-away at score line 9d.
{00321 FIG. 10 depicts a food container 10 configured with spoon iOb oral-device with anchor tabs 10c moid incorporated therein, spoon 10b -initially protected by food container materia! I Of and made to snap- away at score lines lOd, For FIG, 9 and 10, alternative embodiments secure anchor tabs to objects by welding, adhesives and/or mechanical attachment means such as rivets, screws, clips and/or other similar hardware; attaching (oral) devices to (food) containers at an anchor tab location provides an advantage in that oral-devices made from one material can be integrally attached to a (food) container (object) made front a di fferent material; anchor tabs allow for oral-devices to lie integrally attached, on (food) container edge regions, allowing for containers of various sizes to be optimally stacked for mass distribution and/or other distribution purposes.
{00331 HG. 1 1 depicts a food container with oral -device i 1 a dsspSaeabiy attached at score line 1 1 c to a different food container with oral-device 1 1 b. Alternatively each connected (food) container con Id contain, or be configured with, a variety of oral-devices; and/or connected containers could be connected in a variety of different ways, including permanently attached, snap-away attached, re-attachable attached, bend-away attached and combinations thereof; and/or anyone of the connected containers could contain food items only while oilier containers could contain oral-devices only; and/or the connected containers could be attached to one another by a mechanical fastening means, with some intended for one time removal and others meant for re-attachment; and/or connected containers could be made from the same and/or different materials; and/or connected containers could be of the same shape, size, design, function and/or can vary from, one another; and/or connect containers could consist of temporarily sealed cavities while others are left un-sealed, seal created by film arid adhesive and/of Sid or cap,
{0034} FIG, 1 J. and 12 depicts a stack of food containers such as plates 12, 12' and 12", each plate configured with a removable toothpick 12b and 12lr shown and toothpick 12b" as represented but not shown. Toothpicks 12b, I 2b' and 2b" have cross-sectional regions which are thicker then the cross- section regions of each toothpick respective plate 12, 12 * and 12", the toothpicks made thicker to allow for better rigidity and strength for oral ose when removed from the plate b a user for use. To allow for thicker said toothpicks while still allowing for optimal stacking of the plates, each plate 12, 12' and 12" have a cutout section 12c,. I 2e * ' as shown and I 2e ! as represented, which are located opposite of each plate configured toothpick. When plates are alternate -stacked, with said cutout region of one plate being arranged over said toothpick region of the next plate the clearance provided top/bottom said toothpick provide space for the thicker toothpick while still allowing for optimal/compact stacking of the plates. Toothpick anchor points 12d, 12d' as shown and 12d" as represented respectively anchor said toothpicks to the plate until such point user removes toothpick, preferably tn a snap-away method, for use.
[WtBSj Oral-device as used in the current application can. be defined as a toothpick, interdental brush, mounted dent l floss, Hosser, flosser with toothpick, tongue cleaner, oral brush, flosser with toothpick, fork, spoon, sporfc, knife, spatula, tongs, chopsticks and/or combinations thereof; finger grip tabs/area optional . f Jossers configured with at least one permanently attached string of dental floss.
{0036} Oral-device cavities as discussed in FIG.1 can instead be designed to hold sanitary products, i.e. napkins, wetted wipes and similar; condiments, i.e. ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, so sauce, and similar.
[0O37| While the invention has been shown practiced in the form of a food container for illustrative purposes, it is to be understood that the invention can be practiced in conjunction with other containers including eating plates, bowls, platters, serving dishes, trays, pre-packaged food containers, general containers and/or combinations thereof; furthermore containers can vary in size, shape, function and/or design.
{0038} While the invention is directed primarily to an unfulfilled need and expected demand in conjunction with plastic disposable food containers incorporating oral-devices, the invention could be practiced in conjunction with more permanent type food containers intended for more general use. The material in the food container can be metal or any material that can. provide the either a break-away and/or bend-away feature. As an alternative to the generally one-piece construction shown for the food container, it could be made from a plurality of parte joined by fastenings such as welding or adhesives.
{ ' 0039| The score lines can vary in configuration, type, shape and depth, i.e. thickness at the thinnest point. As an alternative to making the score fines to break-away, some sterns could be made to bend-away for use in either direction without actually detaching, or to remain sufficiently stiff to utilize the oral- device while still attached to the food container.
{0640} As alternatives to the oral-devices being attached to the eating utensil in a permanent or breakaway manner with score Sines as shown., the invention could be practiced with, such attachment made by- other fasteners such as temporary glue, magnets, snap-fits, Velero or the like. It could he arranged for break-away parts to be re-attached.
} ' 0041| In embodiments where the oral-device is a. toothpick, extreme sharpness at the working end. of the toothpick should be avoided as hazardous; instead the point should be made slightly rounded, sufficient to avoid injury, while still shaped optimally to provide effective cleaning capability.
{0642} The oral-devices and/or other supplemental items could be bundle packed with at least one, preferably retail packed for mass distribution (food) container packages, including multi-stacked and prepackaged food containers; oral devices can be individually wrapped.
{0043} As an alternative to floss where flosser is shown, a rigid, semi-rigid or ' flexible thin fin or blade could be provided to clean between and around the teeth.
{00441 As an alternative to the flosser with a piece of floss suspended between two prongs as shown, the floss could he provided stored in the food container, attached loose thereto or bundle-wrapped.
{00451 As an alternative to incorporating single attached oral-device to the food container for snap-away and use instead a sheet or panel containing more than one oral-device could be attached to food container, intended for break-away removal and use.
(0046) As an alternative to invention materia! being standard plastics, material could alternatively be composed front bio~dsgradable and earth friendly plastics,
)0047) Typically, not including any sealing devices such as a lid or sealing film, the food container (and in the case of FIG, 10 multiple containers) and oral-device facilities are molded, as a single part, reducing manufacturing, assembly, kitting and in roost eases packaging costs.
{0048| The invention may be embodied and practiced in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all variations, substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range of equi alency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
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