US20050133511A1

US20050133511A1 - Movable Bottom Jar

Info

Publication number: US20050133511A1
Application number: US10/707,548
Authority: US
Inventors: Nasos Makriyiannis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-12-20
Filing date: 2003-12-20
Publication date: 2005-06-23

Abstract

The invention comprises a jar or storage container that has a moveable bottom platform with one vertical degree of translation. This will add the ability to move all of the jar's contents up or down, depending on the position of the bottom platform. For example, if some of the contents within the jar are removed then the moveable bottom can be shifted up to a higher location in order to bring the remaining contents back to the top.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates to storage devices such as jars, in particular storage devices incorporating a moveable bottom.
1. Background
In the past, the conventional means for storing perishable foods has involved the use of glass, plastic and metal jars and cans which have an inherent oxygen barrier characteristic.
One problem with conventional storage means is that when an item that it is being stored in, such as salsa dip or peanut butter, is running low, it makes it difficult to reach the bottom of the jar (whether you are using a spoon or any other device or food such as a chip) and scoop up the contents. This is not efficient and can cause messes and spills.
2. Description of Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,474 by Leigner and issued on Mar. 3, 1992 is for a “Plastic jar.” It discloses a lightweight plastic jar having outwardly convex front end and back walls, each having a relatively large radius of curvature, and a pair of side walls having relatively large planar portions capable of controlled inward deflection to accommodate decreases in the interior volume of the jar. The jar is configured to facilitate dispensing of product while also providing strength, efficient use of space in packing with like containers, and an attractive appearance.
The need for a device that allows an efficient and easy method to reach items from a bottom of a jar shows that there is still room for improvement in the art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a jar or storage container that allows an efficient and easy method to reach items from a bottom of ajar by having a movable bottom.
The invention comprises ajar or storage container that has a moveable bottom platform with one vertical degree of translation. This will add the ability to move all of the jar's contents up or down, depending on the position of the bottom platform. For example, if some of the contents within the jar are removed then the moveable bottom can be shifted up to a higher location in order to bring the remaining contents back to the top.
The invention provides the ability to shift the contents of the jar to a higher or lower position within the jar or storage device. If the jar's contents are low, it will be helpful to move the bottom platform of the jar to a higher position so that it will be easier to reach the contents. For example, let us assume that the jar contains a substance such as salsa dip. When the salsa dip is running low, it makes it difficult to reach the bottom of the jar (whether you are using a spoon or any other device) and scoop up the contents. Adding a moveable-bottom platform to the jar, one can shift the platform to a higher position causing the salsa dip to come all the way to the rim of the jar, and thus scoop out the contents without any difficulty.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Without restricting the full scope of this invention, the preferred form of this invention is illustrated in the following drawings:
FIG. 1 shows the basis for the invention;
FIG. 2 shows the device with a spring base;
FIG. 3 shows the device with a wedge configuration; and
FIG. 4 shows the device with a tooth shelf configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is demonstrative in nature and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or its application of uses.
There are a number of significant design features and improvements incorporated within the invention.
The word “jar” as used in this description means either a true jar or a container in general, such as a bottle, a can or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the invention is a jar 1 or container with a moveable bottom 30 which provides the ability to shift the contents 35 of the jar 1 to a higher or lower position within the jar 1. If the jar's contents 35 are low, the user can move the bottom platform 30 of the jar 1 to a higher position so that it will be easier to reach the contents 35 such as salsa or peanut butter. In the current invention, by adding a moveable-bottom platform to the jar 1, one can shift the platform 30 to a higher position causing the salsa dip to come all the way to the rim of the jar 1, and thus scoop out the contents 35 without any difficulty. As with a typical jar or storage container 1, it has an outer wall 10 and an inner wall 20. The movable platform 30 has a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of the jar's inner wall 20 so that it can move perpendicular to the jar's inner wall 20. The jar 1 can have a flexible lining 70 made of plastic or some other material that can serve to hold the contents 35 within the jar 1 especially if it is a liquid.
The jar 1 or container can have a top such as a typical screw cap top or pop top or any other top that is standard in the industry and not disclosed in great detail here.
FIG. 2 displays ajar 1 with a movable bottom platform 30 that utilizes a spring system. The spring system uses a spring 40 that is located between the bottom of the movable platform 30 and the bottom 60 of the jar 1. FIG. 2 also displays the top, bottom and side views of the movable platform used in the spring system. In the preferred embodiment, the spring tension would be properly balanced as to counter the gravitational force of the contents 35 so that as the contents 35 of the container or jar 1 are removed the movable platform 30 moves up towards the top of the jar 1.
FIG. 3 displays ajar 1 which uses a wedge system moving the movable bottom. In the wedge system the jar 1 has a plurality of wedges 50 on the inner walls 20 of the jar 1. In the preferred embodiment these wedges are located ⅓ and ⅔ up to the side of the jar 1 from the bottom 60. The wedges 50 in the preferred embodiment are made of a flexible material and are angled from the bottom of said wedge 50 to the top of said wedge 50 with the top of said wedge being flat and perpendicular to the jar's inner wall 20 with said wedge 50 being a thin construction. In the preferred embodiment there are four wedges 50 at the ⅓ and the ⅔ jar levels at each of the 90 degree angles from the center. In the preferred embodiment the wedges have the ability to shift position is a motion like a rotation around an axis with the axis being the center of the wedge 50 where the wedge 50 is attached to the inner wall. In the wedge system the movable disk 130 is thinner in the preferred embodiment and made of a flexible but strong material. The wedge system uses the flexible lining 70. The bottom 60 of the jar 1 has a hole 160. The user uses this hole 160 to push the movable disk 130 from the bottom to the next level of hinges 50.
Another embodiment is a tooth shelf system as shown in FIG. 4. In the tooth shelf system the jar 1 has a plurality of teeth 90 on the inner walls 20 of the jar 1. In the preferred embodiment these teeth are located ⅓ and ⅔ up to the side of the jar 1 from the bottom. In the preferred embodiment, there are three teeth 90 at the ⅓ and the ⅔ jar levels at each of the 120 degree angles from the center. In the tooth shelf system the movable platform 180 has a plurality of slots 190, three in the preferred embodiment that correspond with the teeth 90 of the jar 1. It also has a pole 100 that is perpendicular to the movable platform 80 and attached to the center of the movable platform 80 with a balled area 105 at the end of the pole 100. The user uses the balled end 105 of pole 100 to pull the movable platform 80 up and to align the slots 190 with the teeth 90, pull the movable platform 80 past the teeth 90, turn the movable platform 80 so that the movable platform 80 rests on the teeth.
The jar 1 or container can be made of any durable material such as plastic, glass or metal.
Operation
The invention provides the ability to shift the contents 35 of the jar 1 to a higher or lower position within the jar or storage device 1. If the jar's contents 35 are low, it will be helpful to move the bottom platform 30 of the jar 1 to a higher position so that it will be easier to reach the contents 35. The user can shift the platform 30 to a higher position causing the item to come all the way to the rim of the jar 1, and thus reach the contents 35 without any difficulty.
Advantages
The previously described version of the present invention has many advantages. The device allows an efficient and easy method to reach items from a bottom of a jar.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the point and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a container with a movable platform.

2. A device as in claim 1 in which said container is used for food products.

3. A device as in claim 1 in which said movable bottom moves the contents of said device up and down.

4. A device as in claim 1 in which said container is a jar.

5. A device as in claim 1 which has a flexible liner within said container.

6. A device as in claim 1 in which said container has an inner wall and an outer wall and where said movable platform is the same shape, is perpendicular to and fits within the inner wall.

7. A device as in claim 1 in which a spring is positioned between said movable platform and the bottom of said container.

8. A device as in claim 7 in which said spring is counter balanced to the force of the contents of said container so that said movable platform moves up as the contents are removed.

9. A device as in claim 1 in which said container has an inner wall with a plurality of wedges attached to said inner wall.

10. A device as in claim 9 in which said container has material removed from the bottom forming a hole.

11. A device as in claim 10 in which said movable platform is pushed up and onto said wedges through said hole.

12. A device as in claim 9 in which said wedges are ⅓ and ⅔ up the inner wall of said container.

13. A device as in claim 9 in which there are four wedges per level and said wedges are located 90 degrees from the center of said container.

14. A device as in claim 9 which has a flexible liner within said container.

15. A device as in claim 1 in which said container has an inner wall with a plurality of teeth attached to said inner wall.

16. A device as in claim 15 in which said movable platform has a plurality of slots.

17. A device as in claim 16 in which said movable platform has a pole perpendicular to said platform.

18. A device as in claim 17 in which said slot lines up with said teeth.

19. A device as in claim 18 in which said movable platform is moved so said slots which line up with said teeth with said movable platform being pulled by said teeth and then being turned so the bottom of said movable platform rests on the top of said teeth.

20. A device as in claim 15 which has a flexible liner within said container.