Food container

• US 4,993,584 A
• Filed: 05/09/1989
• Issued: 02/19/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ma.Gi.Ca. Srl
• Original Assignee: Gi & Gi Srl
• Inventors: Macario, Giuseppe
• Primary Examiner(s): FIDEI, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US07/349,426
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 220/22, 220/23, 220/83, 220/507, 220/524, 220/523, 222/132, 222/142.1, 222/142.4, 222/142.5, 222/142.8, 222/480, 222/481, 222/482, 222/559, 221/92, 221/96, 221/123, 221/124, 221/132
• US Class Current: 220/523
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/30 Other containers or devices used as table equipment used as kitchen equipment A47J47/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/32 Food containers with dispensing devices for bread, rolls, sugar, or the like; Food containers with movable covers used as shop fittings A47F

Abstract

A food container is described which has a body in which are formed at least one liquid food compartment having an outlet formed in the top of the body, and at least one granulated food compartment having an outlet formed in the bottom of the body.

Claims

1. A food container comprising:

a body (2), a top and a bottom wall (4);

said body being formed with a plurality of compartments, including a first liquid food compartment (9) having a liquid dispensing outlet (22) formed in said top, and a second substantially solid granulated food compartment (11) for holding solid granulated foodstuff, with a solid dispensing outlet (37) formed in said bottom wall;

wherein said solid dispensing outlet (37) is formed in said bottom wall (4);

wherein said solid dispensing outlet comprises number of first through holes formed in said bottom wall (4);

wherein said container includes rails (38) and a panel (41) designed to slide in contact with said bottom wall (4) and along said rails (38), and said panel having a first position, in which the panel closes off said first through holes (37) and a second position, in which the panel permits downward withdrawal of said granulated foodstuff through said first through holes (37).

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, characterised by the fact that said rails (38) are formed on the outer face of said bottom wall (4) of said body (2).

3. A container as claimed in claim 1, characterised by the fact that said first holes (37) are arranged in a number of parallel rows.

4. A container as claimed in claim 1, characterised by the fact that said panel (41) comprises a solid portion (42) designed, in said first position, to close off said first holes (37);

two appendixes (44) between which is defined a space which, in said second position, is located beneath said first holes (37); and

a grip tab (43).

5. A container as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bottom wall has an edge, and said container further comprises an appendix (51) extending downwardly from said edge, said appendix acting as a support for said body and defining an inner space for housing said panel (41), said appendix including a slot (52), said panel (41) being arranged to slide through said slot when moved between said first and said second positions.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5 further including a top lid (5) formed with said first liquid dispensing outlet (22).

7. A container as claimed in claim 6, characterised by the fact that said lid (5) presents means (39) for securing it to the top edge of said body (2).

8. A container as claimed in claim 6, wherein said lid includes a second through hole (21) and wherein said liquid dispensing outlet comprises a sleeve (22) having a first airtight cap (23) and extending upwards from said second through hole (21) over said first compartment.

9. A container as claimed in claim 6, fact that it comprises predetermined positioning means (14 and 15) for positioning said lid (5) on the top edge of said body (2).

10. A container as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a central element (7) formed inside and coaxially with said body (2);

and dividing walls (8) formed between said central element (7) and the lateral wall (3) of said body (2), and defining said compartments (9 and

     11).

11. A container as claimed in claim 10, wherein said central element has a top portion and wherein a third compartment (17) is formed in said top portion open at the top and accessible via a third through hole (12) formed in said lid (5).

12. A container as claimed in claim 11, said central element has a bottom portion and wherein a fourth compartment in said bottom portion housing an element (55) filled with a granulated foodstuff, such as pepper or similar material, said element (55) having small holes (58) at the top, an airtight cap (59) at the bottom, and being designed to rest on portions of said panels (41).

13. A container as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second compartment (11) houses a rod (32) which may be turned manually about its longitudinal axis;

said rod (32) being fitted with a number of strips (35) which, when said rod (32) is turned, provide for loosening any compacted foodstuff inside said second compartment (11).

14. A container as claimed in claim 13, wherein said rod has a bottom end fitted with a perpendicular strip (36) having a sharp edge located close to said bottom wall (4) for scraping off any foodstuff adhering to said bottom wall (4) when said rod (32) is rotated.

15. A container as claimed in claim 13, wherein said lid (5) has a fourth through hole (24) through which the top end of said rod (32) extends upwards to engage a seat (34) formed in a second cap (26) providing for airtight sealing of said fourth hole (24).

16. A container as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a bowlshaped hood (53) having a bottom edge designed to mate with the edge of said lid (5).

17. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body (2) is substantially cylindrical.

18. A container as claimed in claim 17, wherein said body (2) has two said first compartments (9) arranged diametrically opposite in relation to a longitudinal axis of said body (2).

19. A container as claimed in claim 18, wherein said body (2) has two said second compartments (11) arranged diametrically opposite in relation to a longitudinal axis of said body (2).

20. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body is formed in one piece from a preferably transparent plastic material.