Packaging for dog treats

Abstract

The invention provides a lightweight and uncomplicated package and method for packaging animal treats. The package includes a coffee cup defining an inside volume to receive the animal treats and including a rim surrounding an upper end of the inside volume. A lid is removably fastened to the rim of the coffee cup, the lid adapted to at least partially cover the animal treats. In another embodiment of the present invention the rim of the coffee cup is sealed with a removable seal and in a further embodiment of the present invention the animal treats are bagged prior to being placed within the coffee cup. The animal treats suitably may include dog treats.

1 . A package for animal treats, the package comprising: 
 a coffee cup defining an inside volume to receive the animal treats and including a rim surrounding an upper end of the inside volume; and    a lid removably fastened to the rim of the coffee cup, the lid adapted to at least partially cover the animal treats.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a removable seal attached to the rim, the seal adapted to close the inside volume from the atmosphere and hold the animal treats within the inside volume.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the removable seal is attached to the rim with a heat activated adhesive.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the removable seal is includes a heat shrinkable material.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the removable seal includes a pull tab.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a bag enclosing the animal treats, the bag adapted to fit within the inside volume and to seal the animal treats from the atmosphere.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the bag includes cellophane wrapper.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the bag includes a plastic wrapper.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the bag includes a foil wrapper.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the bag includes a heat seal sealing the animal treats from the atmosphere.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lid includes a snap lip configured to removably snap over the rim.  
   
   
       12 . A package for dog treats, the package comprising: 
 a coffee cup defining an inside volume to receive the dog treats, the coffee cup including a rim surrounding an upper end of the inside volume and being manufactured substantially of a disposable paper material; and    a coffee cup lid, removably fastenable to the coffee cup by snapping to the rim of the coffee cup, the lid adapted to substantially cover the dog treats received within the inside volume, the lid being manufactured substantially of a plastic disposable material.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a removable seal attached to the rim, the seal adapted to close the inside volume from the atmosphere and hold dog treats within the inside volume.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the removable seal is attached to the rim with a heat activated adhesive.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the removable seal includes a heat shrinkable material.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the removable seal includes a pull tab.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a bag enclosing the dog treats, the bag adapted to fit within the inside volume and to seal the dog treats from the atmosphere and hold dog treats within the inside volume.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the bag includes cellophane wrapper.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the bag includes a plastic wrapper.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the bag includes a heat seal sealing the bag closed.  
   
   
       21 . A method for packaging animal treats, comprising: 
 providing a coffee cup;    at least partially filling the coffee cup with animal treats; and    substantially closing the coffee cup with a lid.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 sealing the coffee cup with a seal attached to a rim of the coffee cup.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein sealing the coffee cup includes adhering the seal to the rim.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein sealing the coffee cup includes heat shrinking the seal.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 bagging the animal treats.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the bagging includes sealing the bag thereby enclosing the dog treats.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein substantially closing the coffee cup with a lid includes snapping the lid on the coffee cup.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the providing a coffee cup includes providing a disposable paper coffee cup.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 21  wherein substantially closing the coffee cup with a lid includes capping the coffee cup with a disposable plastic lid.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the animal treats include dog treats.