Multi-Compartment Snack Storage and Dispensing Appliance

Abstract

A food and beverage Appliance enables storage and consumption of a food and beverage meal, such as cereal and milk, in a portable form factor allowing consumption of the meal while in motion or during or after travel. The Appliance stores the food and beverage separately, and dispenses the food and beverage separately and non-simultaneously to preserve the crispiness and freshness, and to allow the user to control the size of each portion dispensed. The Appliance prevents leakage of the beverage out it its compartment, whether during filling, storage, traveling, or dispensing, to prevent getting the food soggy prior to dispensing and to prevent messes. The Appliance enables a revolution in healthy snacking and quick and easy mobile meals. Features make the Appliance either reusable or disposable. It also can create a new revenue category for takeout restaurants, and ideal for pre-packaged retail applications.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to provisional patent application 62 / 790,466. Claims directed to a multi-compartment snack and storage dispensing appliance have earlier been issued to the present assignee in U.S. Pat. No. 10,421,595, necessitating aspects of the instant patent application and any issued patents thereto, to be subject to a terminal disclaimer where required.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to the field of food and beverage containers and dispensers. In particular the invention describes a container used to store a solid food and beverage separately, and used to dispense both separately during consumption. A favorite and healthy meal in many cultures is cereal with milk, frequently consumed for breakfast, and also consumed as a snack throughout the day. The popularity is highest with children, but also with adults because of the well documented health benefits. When the milk and cereal are mixed toge...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is an Appliance that separates cereal and milk in two compartments to prevent mixing and ensure freshness and crispness. The beverage compartment is completely sealed to prevent spillage and ruin the snack. The Appliance is easy to fill and operate with one hand, making it convenient for users with visual impairment. The user can dispense a desired portion of cereal and milk in the mouth, and the experience maximizes the freshness of the snack. The Appliance is designed to prevent mess and can be tilted without causing milk leakage. The unusual design features a self-sealing Straw and a valve to control the dispensing of milk. Overall, this invention provides a unique and convenient way to enjoy a cereal snack while maintaining its freshness and crispness.

Problems solved by technology

When the milk and cereal are mixed together, it must be consumed without delay for a fresh affect, otherwise the cereal becomes soggy and the meal loses its appeal.

Containers described in the prior art attempt to mix the milk and cereal together during the act of dispensing or prior to dispensing, or are complex to use, or require two hand operation to dispense.

None of these prior art products have been successfully commercialized because of disadvantages such as the cereal becoming soggy from the milk, inability to mix in proper proportions, too complicated to use, and inconvenient, messy spills, or un-safe dispensing.

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