AU2016100786A4 - Wrap holder (sliding container for wraps) - Google Patents

Abstract

Cylindrical wrap holder with two slotted tracks sides and a lid snug fit or threadably connected to body using a loop and secured by a clip. A flap is secured inside the holder using springs. Flap has two openings each on sides and bottom. Body has two slotted tracks. Two buttons present in the slotted tracks are used to move the flap and extrude wrap. Variations include holders that are non-cylindrical holders and multiple walled. Drawings of Wrap holder. FIG. 1 FIG. 2 z 5 A-A

Description

Description.

Title: Wrap holder (Sliding container for wraps)

Field of the invention.

[0001] The present invention relates to consumption, packaging, storing and transporting of wraps. A wrap herein is a food item where an outer shell is wrapped around another food item.

Background of invention.

[0002] Wraps are one of the most common types of food people use in Australia. However there are many problems that can arise while preparing a wrap. For example, the content of the wrap falls out, the surface of the wrap tears apart, food drops down on clothes and dirties fingers and all surroundings.

[0003] There has been an attempt to make a solution for the mentioned above problems by using paper which is placed around the wrap, but sometimes it causes swallowing of the paper while eating and again all the mentioned above problems will often take place.

[0004] A need therefore exists for a new practical, reusable packaging for wraps, which will eliminate all the mentioned above difficulties and significantly improve the industry of food.

Summary of the invention [0005] The present invention is a perfect solution for all the above problems by holding a wrap in place and moving it upwards whilst eating. It will change the way people prepare and consume wraps. It could be used at a home kitchen, for commercial food manufacturing, packaging or a food-service business.

[0006] The present invention helps to consume wraps without dirtying hands. After a wrap is prepared and placed inside the present invention, there is no need to touch the food item with hands while eating. This provides a very hygienic way of consuming food and it also helps to save water, because people don't need to wash their hands after eating a wrap out of the present invention.

[0007] An important aspect of the present invention is that it stops pieces of food from dropping down and dirtying clothes and surrounding. The present invention provides a barrier from food falling outside a wrap in the event of breakage of the surface of the wrap, thereby stopping food from being spilled and thus saving the amount of time people spend cleaning which also helps to save water.

[0008] Another significant aspect of the present invention is the fact that food can be easily transported safely. It can be taken to work, school or anywhere without a risk of damaging food. We could use an ordinary plastic container for carrying a wrap, however there is a high chance that the wrap will accidently unfold itself inside of the container, which will not happen if we use the present invention for transporting the food item.

[0009] The present invention is really helpful if there is a need to take a wrap to a picnic or a hike. Going for a hike often involves no access to clear water, so people might not be able to clean their hands before consuming food, and if they touch the food item with their impure hands, bacteria will travel inside their stomach and it can cause different diseases. As it was mentioned above, there is no need to touch food directly with hands while consuming it out of the present invention. This is a great benefit for health and safety of the society and it will help to preserve people's well-being.

[0010] Another important aspects of the present invention is that it's easy to clean and it can be reused multiple times. If we compare the use of the present invention to the paper wrapped around your wrap, we will notice that the paper can only be used once, but the present invention can be reused many times, thereby it will help to save environment.

[0011] The present invention furthermore is really easy to use. It is very beneficial for adults and especially for kids. Everyone can follow the simple instructions that will be written on the packaging of the device and easily figure out how to use the present invention.

[0012] After all, the present invention provides a reasonably well priced way of packaging, consuming, transporting and storing food. The way of making it and the materials are relatively inexpensive. It is planned to be sold in supermarkets and food stores, which will add an extra section next to the section of wraps, also at kitchenware stores; it could also be sold to commercial food manufacturers, to food packaging or food-serving businesses.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0013] FIG.1 illustrates a 3-d view of the present invention in the modification 1; FIG. 2 illustrates a 3-d view of the flap 7 of the present invention in the modification 1; FIG. 3 is a draft of the present invention in the modification 1 which consists of (clockwise): a view from the side, a view from the bottom and a sectional view; FIG. 4 illustrates an unassembled 3-d view of the present invention in the modification 1; FIG. 5 illustrates a 3-d view of the present invention in the modification 2; FIG. 6 illustrates an unassembled 3-d view of the present invention in the modification 2.

[0014] The present invention in the modification 1 consists of the following components: body 1, loop 2, lid 3, clip 4, two buttons 5, two springs 6, flap 7 and two clamps 8.

[0015] The present invention in the modification 2 consists of the following components: body 1, lid 2, two clamps 3, flap 4, two buttons 5 and two springs 6.

Description of Embodiments [0016] To operate the present invention in the modification 1, the below steps are followed: [0017] Place content on a wrap and roll the wrap up. Note that the prepared wrap should not be larger in size than the inner space of the body 1. The body 1 and the other parts of the present invention can vary in dimensions, however the length of the body 1 is normally larger than its diameter. For example, the diameter of the present invention could be approximately 60mm wide and approximately 200mm in length.

[0018] Open the lid 3 of the invention. Insert the prepared wrap inside the body 1 until it touches the flap 7. Close the lid 3. Lock the lid 3 using the clip 4. Now the wrap is fixed inside the invention, and it can be stored or transported.

[0019] To consume the wrap the following instructions are undertaken: Holding the present invention upright slightly press on the clip 4 and open the lid 3.

Hold the body 1 in one hand. Using thumb and index finger of the other hand press both buttons 5 at the same time. Push the flap 7 upwards moving the buttons 5 along the track until they reach the next slot, release the buttons 5. Now the wrap is ready to consume.

[0020] To operate the present invention in the modification 2 very similar steps are followed. The only difference is that instead of having the lid which is attached to the body with the loop and fixed by the clip, a screw on (thread) lid is used. To open the present invention in the modification 2 simply unscrew the lid anti-clockwise; to close the invention, the lid needs to be rotated clockwise.

[0021] It is recommended to clean the present invention immediately after use. For cleaning and maintenance the following steps are performed: Open the lid of the present invention. Wash the inside and the outside of the invention with warm water and dishwashing liquid using a brush if needed. Wipe the invention using a clean dry cloth.

[0022] The present invention in the modification 1 can be produced using approved food packaging materials. Springs 6 and clamps 8 are already manufactured products. Body 1, lid 3, flap 7 and buttons 5 are produced by plastic molding. The body 1 is molded together with the clip 4 and one side of the loop 2; the lid 3 is molded together with the other part of the loop 2. Flap 7 and buttons 5 are molded separately. After the molding is completed two tracks with slots are created on the sides of the body 1 (as per FIG.3). Body 1 connects to the lid 3 through the loop 2.

[0023] After that, two openings are drilled on the sides of the flap 7, and also two openings are drilled on the bottom of the flap 7. Then the springs 6 are placed inside the side openings of the flap 7, the flap 7 is inserted inside the body 1, the buttons 5 are placed inside the side openings of the flap 7. After that, clamps 8 are screwed into the bottom openings of the flap 7 to secure the buttons 5 inside the flap 7. The springs 6 and the clamps 8 serve a purpose of stopping the buttons 5 from falling out or sinking too deeply inside the openings of the flap 7.

[0024] The present invention in the modification 2 can be produced following very similar steps to the modification 1, however instead of making a lid with a loop and a clip; a screw on (thread) lid is manufactured.

[0025] There is another modification 3 of the present invention, where the present invention also has a body, a flap and a lid, however the body has no tracks with slots and there are no buttons, screws, clips or clamps, but there is a string which is attached with its one end to the flap from the inside of the device and the other end of the string extends to the outside of the device. The movement of the flap and the extrusion of the content herein is implemented by hand pulling the string.

[0026] A modification 4 of the present invention is also possible. Instead of using a slotted track or a string, the flap can be forced upwards by using a wind up mechanism placed on the bottom of the body. Many other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible and will be evident to those of ordinary skill in manufacturing.

Claims (10)

1. Claims.

   1. A Wrap holder comprising: a body which has cylindrical shape with two slotted tracks on its sides, a lid, a flap with two openings on its sides and two openings on its bottom, two buttons, two clamps and two springs; wherein said lid connects to said body; said flap is secured inside said body through placing said two springs and the two buttons through the two slotted tracks of said body and inside the two openings on the sides of said flap and inserting of the two clamps inside the two openings on the bottom of said flap; and said body can be filled up with content; and said buttons are used to move said flap along the slotted tracks of said body and thereby an extrusion of the content out of said body occurs;
2. 2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a loop and a clip wherein said lid is attached to said body using said loop; and said lid is fixed in a closed position using said clip;
3. 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said lid connects to said body via thread connection;
4. 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said lid connects to said body via tight connection without using a loop, thread or clips;
5. 5. The invention of all claims wherein said cylinder shape of said body can be circular, elliptical, rectangular, triangular, hyperbolic or parabolic in section according to the broad definition of a cylinder as any ruled surface spanned by a one-parameter family of parallel lines;
6. 6. The invention of all claims wherein the present invention and its parts have different dimensions;
7. 7. The invention of all claims wherein said body, said flap, said lid, said clip, said buttons are manufactured from different materials, for example plastic, etc.;
8. 8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said different materials are approved for food;
9. 9. The invention of claim 7 wherein said different materials are layered or double-walled;
10. 10. The invention of all claims wherein the present invention serves a purpose to be used for consuming, transporting, preparing and storing food;