Technical Field of the invention

The present disclosure generally relates to a packaging unit suitable for storing a solid food product within a preservation liquid. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a packaging unit having an inner container disposed inside an outer container, the outer container having a bottom portion adapted to be displaced to an upper position from a lower position to facilitate an easy removal of the solid food product from the packaging unit.

Background of the invention

Many solid food products are kept immersed in a liquid. Some non limiting examples of such products are olives in brine/oil and peppers in vinegar/oil. This is to preserve the food products until the solid food products are completely consumed. For so doing, such food products are often stored in a container assembly having an inner container disposed inside an outer container. The solid food products are arranged inside the inner container, and are kept immersed in the liquid. When a user wishes to use the solid food products, the inner container is lifted out of the outer container, thereby capturing the solid food products and leaving the liquid in the outer container. However, for lifting the inner container, the user generally dips his finger into the liquid, which is not desirable.

Various known container assemblies include a handle attached to the inner container for facilitating a lifting of the inner container. However, a height of the container assembly is increased due to the attachment of the handle to the inner container which is not desirable. Also, other container assemblies are known in which a spring is provided on a bottom of the inner container. In such cases, when the lid is opened, the inner container automatically rises out of the liquid. However, having the spring disposed between the bottom of the inner container and the outer container adds complexity, and therefore increases the cost of such container assemblies.

Summary of the invention

A first aspect of the current invention is therefore to provide a packaging unit having an inner container disposed inside an outer container having a bottom portion adapted to be displaced to an upper position from a lower position to facilitate an easy removal of the solid food product from the packaging unit.

These aspects are provided at least in part by a packaging unit having an outer container and an inner container. The outer container includes a bottom portion and a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom portion around a longitudinal axis. The sidewall has an upper edge defining an access opening to the container. Further, the inner container is disposed inside the outer container, and includes a bottom section having a plurality of openings to facilitate an egress of liquid from the inner container. Furthermore, the bottom portion of the outer container is adapted to be displaced between a first position and a second position. Also, the inner container moves upwardly towards the access opening in response to a displacement of the bottom portion of the outer container from the first position to the second position

In another aspect, the bottom portion of the outer container includes an engagement structure and the inner container includes a cooperating structure. The engagement structure engages with the cooperating structure to prevent a rotation of the inner container inside the outer container. In yet another aspect, the engagement structure is adapted to engage with the cooperating structure when the bottom portion is displaced to the second position.

According to a further aspect, the engagement structure is arranged as a plurality of rib elements arrayed circularly around the longitudinal axis of the outer container. Each rib element protrudes upwardly from a surface of the bottom portion. In one embodiment, the engagement structure is defined as a series of depressions or grooves in the bottom portion. In one embodiment, the engagement structure is defined as a series of protrusions extending upwardly from a surface of the bottom portion.

Further, in an aspect, the cooperating structure is arranged as a plurality of fin elements arrayed circularly around a longitudinal axis of the inner container. Each fin element protrudes downwardly from a bottom surface of the inner container. In one embodiment, the cooperating structure is arranged as a plurality of grooves or depressions in the bottom section of the inner container. In one embodiment, the openings in the bottom section of the inner container serve as a cooperating structure for cooperating with the engagement structure.

In yet another aspect, the outer container includes a step defined along an inner surface of the outer container and is disposed proximal to the access opening. The inner container is adapted to abut the step when the bottom portion is disposed in the first position.

According to a further aspect, the bottom portion includes a flexible portion configured to be displaced between a first position and a second position. The inner container moves upwardly towards the access opening in response to a displacement of the flexible portion from the first position to the second position. The bottom portion also includes a rim portion extending downwardly from the flexible portion and connecting the flexible portion to the sidewall.

According to some other aspects, the flexible portion includes an upwardly facing concave shape in the first position, and an upwardly facing convex shape in the second position.

In one embodiment, the flexible portion is a bistable portion, having a first stable position in the first position of the bottom portion and a second stable position in the second position of the bottom portion.

Further, in an aspect, the flexible portion includes a central flat portion and a curved peripheral portion connecting the central flat portion to the rim portion.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to embodiments shown by the enclosed figures. It should be emphasized that the embodiments shown are used for example purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of one potential embodiment of a packaging unit according to an embodiment of the current invention.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of an outer container of the packaging unit depicting a bottom portion of the outer container disposed in a first position according to an embodiment of the current invention.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the outer container of the packaging unit depicting the bottom portion of the outer container disposed in a second position according to an embodiment of the current invention Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an inner container of the packaging unit in an upside down position depicting a cooperating structure of the inner container according to an embodiment of the current invention.

Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the packaging unit depicting the bottom portion of the outer container disposed in the first position according to an embodiment of the current invention. Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the packaging unit depicting the bottom portion of the outer container disposed in the second position according to an embodiment of the current invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary packaging unit 100 suitable for storing a solid food product within a preservation liquid is shown. The packaging unit 100 includes an inner container 102 disposed inside an outer container 104. The inner container 102 includes a base 106 and a sidewall 110 extending upwardly from the base 106, and is adapted to store and receive the solid food product. In an embodiment, the base 106 may include a circular shape, and in such a case, the sidewall 110 may extend from the base 106 in a shape of a cylinder or a truncated cone around a longitudinal axis 112 of the inner container 102. The sidewall 110 includes a bottom edge 114 defined at an interface of the base 106 and the sidewall 110, and an upper edge 116 that defines an opening 120 of the inner container 102. The opening 120 facilitates an entry of a material inside the inner container 102, and an exit of the material from the inner container 102. Also, inner container 102 may include a lip 122 extending radially outwardly from the upper edge 116 and away from the longitudinal axis 112. The lip 122 may extend circularly from the sidewall 110 of the inner container 102, and is adapted to contact the outer container 104.

Further, the sidewall 110 may include a first portion 126 and a second portion 128 extending from the first portion 126 to the bottom edge 114 in a longitudinal direction. The first portion 126 may extend from the upper edge 116 to the second portion 128 in the longitudinal direction. In an embodiment, the base 106 and the second portion 128 together define a bottom section 130 of the inner container 102, while the first portion 126 defines an upper section 132 on the inner container 102. Further, the inner container 102 includes at least one opening 140 extending from an inner surface 142 of the inner container 102 to an outer surface 144 of the inner container 102. Although, the openings 140 are shown to be arranged on entire upper section 132 and the bottom section 130 of the inner container 102, it may be appreciated that the openings 140 may be arranged only on the bottom section 130 of the inner container 102, and the upper section 132 may be devoid of any openings. Further in certain implementations, only the base 106 may include the openings 140, and the sidewall 110 is devoid of any openings. The openings 140 facilitate an egress of the preservative liquid from the inner container 102 to the outer container 104 in response to a lifting of the inner container 102. Further, the openings 140 also facilitate an ingress of the preservative liquid inside the inner container 102 when the inner container 102 is lowered inside the outer container 104.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the outer container 104 includes a bottom portion 150 adapted to move between a first position (shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5) and a second position (shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6), and a sidewall 152 extending upwardly from the bottom portion 150. In an embodiment, the bottom portion 150 may include a circular shape, and in such a case, the sidewall 152 may extend from the bottom portion 150 in a shape of a cylinder or a truncated cone around a longitudinal axis 154 of the outer container 104. The sidewall 152 may include a bottom edge 156 defined at an interface of the bottom portion 150 and the sidewall 152, and an upper edge 160 that defines an access opening 162 of the outer container 104. The access opening 162 facilitates an entry of a material and the inner container 102 inside the outer container 104, and an exit of the material and the inner container 102 from the outer container 104. Also, the sidewall 152 may include a first portion 164 extending from the upper edge 160 to a second portion 166 that may extend from the first portion 164 to the bottom edge 156 of the outer container 104. Further the sidewall 152 may include a step 170 defined at an interface of the first portion 164 and the second portion 166, and arranged circularly along an inner surface 172 of the outer container 104. The step 170 of the outer container 104 may is adapted to abut the lip of 122 the inner container 102 and restrict a downward movement of the inner container 102 inside the outer container 104 in a longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom portion 150 may include a central flexible portion 174 and a peripheral rim portion 176 extending circularly around the central flexible portion 174. The rim portion 176 extends downwardly from the flexible portion 174 and connects the sidewall 152 of the outer container 104 to the flexible portion 174. As shown, the rim portion 176 may include a base panel 178 and an upright wall 180 extending upwardly from the base panel 178 to an outer periphery of the flexible portion 174. The base panel 178 may be disposed substantially horizontally, and may extend from the sidewall 152 to the upright wall 180. In an embodiment, the base panel 178 may be omitted, and in such a case, the upright wall 180 may extend from the sidewall 152, and is connected proximal to the bottom edge 156 of the sidewall 152. In some other implementations, the rim portion 176 may be omitted, and in such a case, the outer periphery of the flexible portion 174 may be integrally connected to the sidewall 152 of the outer container 104. Further, as shown, the outer periphery of the flexible portion 174 is disposed at a distance from the inner surface 172 of the sidewall 152. Further, the flexible portion 174 is adapted to move from a first position to a second position in response to a force applied on the flexible portion 174 in an upwards direction. Also, the flexible portion 174 is adapted to move from the second position to the first position when a force is applied on the flexible portion 174 in a downward direction. Therefore, the bottom portion 150 (i.e. the flexible portion 174) may be arranged as a bi-stable element such that a force needs to be applied by a user for moving the bottom portion 150 (i.e. the flexible portion 174) from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position, but in that the bottom portion remains stable in the first and/or second position when no external force is applied.

In the second position, the flexible portion 174 may extend upwardly towards the access opening 162 from a top edge 182 of the upright wall 180, while in the first position, the flexible portion 174 may extend downwardly towards the bottom edge 156 of the sidewall 152 from the top edge 182. In certain implementations, the flexible portion 174 may include a central flat portion 186 and an inclined portion 188 extending from the top edge 182 of the upright wall 180 to the central flat portion 186. The inclined portion 188 may extend downwardly from top edge 182 when the flexible portion 174 is disposed in the first position, while the inclined portion 188 is adapted to extend upwardly from the top edge 182 towards the access opening when the flexible portion 174 is disposed at the second position. Therefore, the flexible portion 174 includes an upwardly facing concave shape in the first position, and an upwardly facing convex shape in the second position. In certain implementation, in the first position, the flexible portion 174 may remain substantially horizontal and flat.

Further, the bottom portion 150 includes an engagement structure 190 for preventing or restricting a rotation of the inner container 102 inside the outer container 104. As shown, the engagement structure 190 may include a plurality of ribs 192 extending upwardly from a surface 194 of the flexible portion 174 towards the access opening 162 of the outer container 104. In an embodiment, the ribs 192 are arrayed circularly around the longitudinal axis 154, and each rib 192 may extend from the top edge 182 towards the central flat portion 186. The ribs 192, and hence the engagement structure 190, are adapted to engage with a cooperating structure 200 of the inner container 102 to prevent/restrict the rotation of the inner container 102 inside the outer container 104. In an embodiment, the engagement structure 190 engages with the cooperating structure 200 when the bottom portion 150 (i.e. the flexible portion 174) is disposed in the second position. In certain embodiments, the engagement structure 190 is also engaged with the cooperating structure 200 when the bottom portion 150 (i.e. the flexible portion 174) is disposed in the first position. In certain implementations, in the first position of the bottom portion 150, the bottom portion 150 may be disposed at a distance from the base 106 such that a gap may exist between the base 106 and the bottom portion 150 in a longitudinal direction. In such scenarios, the engagement structure 190 may not contact the cooperating structure 200.

Further, similar to the engagement structure 190, the cooperating structure 200 may include a plurality of fin elements 202 extending downwardly from an outer surface 204 of the base 106 of the inner container 102. The fin elements are arrayed circularly around the longitudinal axis 112 of the inner container 102, and may extend from an outer periphery of the base 106 or the bottom edge 114 of the inner container 102 towards the longitudinal axis 112 in a radial direction. The fin elements 202 are adapted to engage with the rib elements 192 to prevent the rotational movement of the inner container 102 inside the outer container 104.

Although, the engagement structure 190 and cooperating structure 200 are contemplated as protrusions, it may be appreciated that the engagement structure 190 may include a plurality of protrusions, while the cooperating structure 200 may include a plurality of grooves (not shown) formed in the base 106 of the inner container 102 to receive the plurality of protrusions to restrict/prevent the rotation of the inner container 102. Similarly, in certain implementations, the cooperating structure 200 may include a plurality of protrusions, while the engagement structure 190 may include a plurality of grooves (not shown) to receive the plurality of protrusions to restrict/prevent the rotation of the inner container 200.

In one embodiment, the upwardly facing surface of the bottom portion of the outer container may comprise protrusions which extend upwardly and the bottom section of the inner container comprises openings into which the protrusions of the bottom portion can extend, at least in the second position of the bottom portion. In this way, the openings in the bottom section of the inner container can be used to allow ingress and egress of liquid while also serving as the cooperating structure for cooperating with the engagement structure of the bottom portion of the outer container.

A process of removal of a portion of the solid food products from the packaging unit 100 is now explained. Initially, for removing the solid food product from the packaging unit 100, a person may remove a lid from the outer container 104. Thereafter, the person may apply a push force on the flexible portion 174 (i.e. the bottom portion 150) in an upward direction. Due to the upward push force, the flexible portion 174 (i.e. the bottom portion 150) moves upwardly to the second position from the first position. In so doing, the bottom portion 150 may contact and push the base 106 of the inner container 102, and therefore lifts or displaces the inner container 102 upwardly towards the access opening 162. As the inner container 102 moves upwardly, the lip 122 moves away from the step 170 and may move to a location proximate to the upper edge 160 of the outer container 104. In certain embodiments, the lip 122 may move outside the outer container 104 when the bottom portion 150 moves to the second position. Further, due to the upward movement of the inner container 102, the preservative liquid stored inside the inner container 102 drains out of the inner container 102 through the openings 140. Afterwards, the person may insert their fingers to remove the portion of the solid food products stored inside the inner container 102. In this manner, the person may be able to access and remove the solid food product from the packaging unit 100 without wetting their fingers.

After removing a desired quantity of the solid food products, the person may desire to store the remaining solid food products into the preservative liquid located inside the outer container 104. For so doing, the person, after removing the solid food product from the inner container 102, may push the inner container 102 in a downward direction i.e. towards the bottom portion 150. As the base 106 of the inner container 102 is in contact/engagement with the bottom portion 150 (i.e. the flexible portion 174), the base 106 applies a force on the bottom portion 150, and thus pushes the bottom portion 150 (i.e. the flexible portion 174) in a downward direction away from the access opening 162. Due to the force applied by the inner container 102, the bottom portion 150 (i.e. the flexible portion 174) may move/snap to the first position. Due to the displacement of the bottom portion 150 from the second position to the first position and the force applied by the person on the inner container 102, the inner container 102 moves downwardly to a position in which the lip 122 of the inner container 102 abuts the step 170 of the outer container 104. An abutment of the lip 122 with the step 170 restricts a further downward linear displacement of the inner container 102 inside the outer container 104. Further, as the inner container 102 moves inside the outer container 104, the preservative liquid may ingress inside the inner container 102 through the openings 140. Thereafter, the person may apply the lid on the outer container 104 and closes the packaging unit 100. The packaging unit 100, thus disclosed, is characterised by the bottom portion 150 that facilitates an easy lifting of the inner container 102 to facilitate an easy removal of the solid food product food products stored inside the inner container while preventing a wetting of the figures of a user. Furthermore, when the engagement mechanism and the cooperating mechanism are provided, then the inner container is prevented from rotating with respect to the outer container when removing the solid food products from the inner container. For example, when removing the food products with a spoon, the spoon does not cause the inner container to turn, thereby making it easier to remove the food products from the inner container.

It is to be noted that the figures and the above description have shown the example embodiments in a simple and schematic manner. Many of the specific mechanical details have not been shown since the person skilled in the art should be familiar with these details and they would just unnecessarily complicate this description.

List of Elements

100 packaging unit 102 inner container 104 outer container

106 base 110 sidewall 112 longitudinal axis 114 bottom edge 116 upper edge 120 opening 122 lip 126 first portion 128 second portion 130 bottom section

132 upper section 140 openings 142 inner surface 144 outer surface 150 bottom portion

152 sidewall 154 longitudinal axis 156 bottom edge 160 upper edge 162 access opening

164 first portion 166 second portion 170 step 172 inner surface 174 flexible portion

176 rim portion 178 base panel 180 upright wall 182 top edge 186 flat portion 188 inclined portion

190 engagement structure 192 rib elements 194 surface 200 cooperating structure 202 fin elements 204 outer surface