Device for Storing and Dispensing Food Items

Abstract

A device for storing and dispensing food items for a customizable nutrition supply is provided. The food items are loaded by the user, allowing customization of nutritional content and sequence. The device may be portable and operated with one hand, and is sufficiently sealed to store the food items securely, away from air, dust, and moisture. When the device is operated by being opened or triggered, it dispenses the next food item, so that the user may dispense the food item directly into the user's mouth. The device then closes or is closed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The presently disclosed subject matter relates to storing and dispensing food items, and more specifically, to devices and methods for portable storage containers that protect food items, and that dispense the food items individually.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]People engaged in high-performance endeavors and endurance sports, such as triathlons, long-distance running, and long bicycle rides, have significant needs for nutrition during their competition or performance. In the course of a 50 km run or a 100 mile bike ride, a 160-lb person may burn 600 to 800 calories per hour. Furthermore, a person's nutritional needs are not limited solely to replacement of calories expended in the endeavor: endurance athletes also need to replace particular types of nutrition, and may need them at specific stages of the workout or competition. For example, an endurance athlete may need some fat content in his or her food at the start of a long workout, a higher perc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The present invention meets all these needs, by disclosing devices and systems for storing, protecting, and dispensing food items. The device comprises a dispenser which may be opened and loaded with food items, so that a user can place food items into the device for later dispensing and consumption. The user can choose the content of the nutrition to be consumed by choosing particular food items, and can customize the order of nutrition to be consumed by placing the food items in any particular order. Once closed, the device securely stores and protects the food items, keeping them free of dust and moisture.

Problems solved by technology

The current state of food marketed to athletes does not fully meet these needs.

One shortcoming of the current food technologies is that it can be difficult to take in sufficient calories with the currently existing energy bar products.

The need to carry and keep organized multiple nutrition sources is difficult for people engaged in high-performance endeavors.

Second, such nutritional sources are typically sealed in high-barrier films, which are most easily opened with two hands.

When engaged in a competition, or a non-competitive but demanding event, it may be difficult or impractical to use both hands to open an energy bar.

Attempting to open such a nutritional product using only one hand is quite difficult, and using only one hand plus one's teeth is challenging and unhygienic, and can often result in the loss of the energy bar.

Additionally, serious injuries can result from a loss of concentration or control when a user is distracted with an attempt to open a bar, whether the user is bicycling, running, or engaged in another activity.

Third, using current nutritional products, it is very difficult to customize one's food intake.

A user can customize the amount eaten, such as by cutting the bars up in advance, or eating portions of a package, but not the content of an individual bar, and so it is difficult or impossible to customize an order of nutrition, such as fats, then carbohydrates, then protein.

Further, even if it is possible to find an arrangement of energy bars or other relatively suitable foods that would provide a desired order of nutrition, attempting to stack them in order in a bag or pocket would be cumbersome.

Repeatedly finding the right bar and then opening it would be prohibitively challenging, especially in the context of an activity where opening a single bar is difficult.

The ability to customize nutritional content and the order in which one eats the food items is lacking in the current art.

Also lacking in the current art is a way to securely store, carry, and dispense food using only one hand.

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