Method and apparatus for storing food products

Abstract

A doughnut-shaped container for food such as cotton candy is disclosed. The cotton candy is inserted into the container using a mechanized process, but can also be manually inserted. A customer removes a specially fitted top lid to access the food.

1 . A disposable food container, comprising: 
 upper and lower portions which combine to form a hollow doughnut-shaped device;    said lower portion containing an outstanding edge extending from a top edge of said lower portion, wherein said outstanding edge protrudes in the same direction which is beveled inwardly to be narrower than said top edge;    said upper portion containing a recessed edge extending from a bottom edge of said upper portion, wherein said recessed edge protrudes in the same direction but is beveled outwardly to be narrower than said bottom edge;    wherein said upper portion can be removedly attached to said lower portion; and    wherein said upper portion remains in place through the urging of said outstanding edge against an interior surface of said upper portion.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of ridges or striations in an outward facing edge of said upper and lower portions positioned on opposite sides of said upper and lower portions respectively, for enabling a user to grasp and rotate said upper and lower portions in opposite directions.    
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said upper and lower portions of said container consist of clear or colored plastic.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 wherein said container is manufactured using glow-in-the-dark plastic; or    wherein said container is painted, coated, or treated to make it glow in the dark.    
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said food product is treated with a harmless, inert, digestible chemical which produces a glow-in-the-dark effect.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 exit and entry apertures located on said lower portion;    wherein said entry aperture is large enough in diameter to accept a charge of processed food;    wherein said exit aperture is small enough in diameter to pass air but prevent the escape of processed food; and    wherein after said container is filled, both apertures can be resealed.    
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 wherein said container includes an isolated dessicant for purposes of food quality and preservation.    
   
   
       8 . A method of filling a food container, comprising: 
 collecting a mass of processed food in a vessel;    connecting said vessel to a plurality of said containers; and    transferring said food from said vessel into said containers.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the above steps of connecting and transferring further comprise: 
 holding said vessel and said container under vacuum during the transfer of said food from said vessel;    wherein said container is permanently sealed while still under vacuum.    
   
   
       10 . A method of stacking and displaying said food containers, comprising: 
 stacking a plurality of said containers on a pole;    wherein said pole is positioned through the hole in said containers, thereby deterring shoplifting and allowing said containers to be more easily inventoried while on display.