Improved apparatus and method for a push up cereal cup

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments relate generally to an improved system and method of using a push up cereal cup or box (PUCC). The system includes a top and bottom compartment that contains at least one liquid and at least one foodstuff. The device allows consumption of a mixture of liquid and foodstuff, such as cereal and milk, without the use of any utensils.

1 . A push up cereal box system, comprising:
 at least one bottom compartment defining a first outlet;   at least one top compartment defining a second outlet;   the compartments containing either at least one liquid or at least one foodstuff, and the bottom and top compartments are attached and not in fluid communication with each other;   a tube connected to the bottom compartment and having an user access port; the tube connected to the bottom compartment through the first outlet;   a portioned cup having holes disposed in the tube, the cup having access to the top compartment through the second outlet;   an external moveable finger switch for controlling the flow of the liquid and foodstuff; the switch further controlling internal snap fits to control the flow of liquid;   an internal moveable tray in the top compartment and connected to the external moveable finger switch, the switch connected to the internal cereal base for moving the internal cereal base and controlling the amount of flow of foodstuff to the cup;   a cover disposed over the access port and removable and when the system is tilted horizontally or remains vertical and the finger switch moved to an on position, foodstuff fills the cup and the liquid flows through the cup and through the access port to a user without the use of any utensil.   
     
     
         2 . The push up cereal box of  claim 1  wherein the attachment of the bottom compartment to the top compartment is either removable or fixably attached. 
     
     
         3 . The push up cereal box of  claim 1 , further comprising the top compartment contains a foodstuff, and the bottom compartment contains a liquid. 
     
     
         4 . The push up cereal box of  claim 3 , further comprising the foodstuff is cereal and the liquid is milk. 
     
     
         5 . The push up cereal box of  claim 1  further comprising the top container contains a liquid and the bottom container contains a foodstuff. 
     
     
         6 . The push up cereal box of  claim 1 , further comprising the liquid includes at least one of the following: milk, hot water, cold water, juice, coffee, tea, sports drink, soda, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The push up cereal box of  claim 1 , further comprising the foodstuff includes at least one of the following: cereal; oatmeal; processed fruit; baby food; granola; tea leaves; ground coffee; food; and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The push up cereal box of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment of the bottom and top compartments is accomplished by hot gluing, snap fits, ultrasonic welding and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The push up cereal box of  claim 1 , further comprising a mesh cup located near the outlet for holding the foodstuff from the internal cereal base. 
     
     
         10 . A method of using a push up cereal box system, comprising:
 connecting at least one bottom compartment with at least one top compartment to form a cereal box system, the top compartment having an outlet; the top and bottom compartments containing either a liquid or foodstuff;   moving a finger switch on the cereal box system to control a portioned amount of foodstuff; and   wherein the moveable finger switch is connecting the top and bottom portions, and the finger switch is connected to an internal cereal base for moving the internal cereal base and controlling the amount of flow of foodstuff through the outlet to a user without the use of any utensil; and   tilting horizontally or leaving vertical the cereal box system while the finger switch is moved to an on position to increase flow of a liquid inside the cereal box system through the foodstuff to provide a controlled amount of a foodstuff and liquid mixture to the user.   
     
     
         11 . A push up cereal box system, comprising:
 at least one bottom compartment defining a first outlet;   at least one top compartment defining a second outlet; the top compartment connected to the bottom compartment;   the compartments containing at least either one liquid or at least one foodstuff, and the compartments are not in fluid communication with each other;   an external moveable finger switch for controlling the flow of the liquid and foodstuff; the switch further controlling internal snap fits to control the flow of liquid; a cover disposed over the access port and removable such that when the system is tilted horizontally or when vertical and the finger switch moved to an on position, foodstuff fills the cup in a specific portion and the liquid flows through the cup and through the access port to a user without the use of any utensil.   
     
     
         12 . A push up cereal box system, of  claim 11 , wherein the finger switch is on the top compartment. 
     
     
         13 . A push up cereal box system, of  claim 11 , wherein the finger switch is on the bottom compartment. 
     
     
         14 . A push up cereal box system, of  claim 11 , wherein the finger switch is disposed along both the top compartment and the bottom compartment. 
     
     
         15 . A push up cereal box system, of  claim 11 , wherein the finger switch has a bellow like configuration. 
     
     
         16 . A push up cereal box system, of  claim 11 , wherein the top compartment has a bellow like configuration. 
     
     
         17 . A push up cereal box system, of  claim 11 , wherein the bottom compartment a bellow like configuration. 
     
     
         18 . A push up cereal box system, of  claim 11 , wherein the finger switch and at least either the top compartment or the bottom compartment has a bellow like configuration. 
     
     
         19 . A push up cereal box system, of  claim 11 , wherein the at least either the top compartment or the bottom compartment has a sleeve like configuration. 
     
     
         20 . A push up cereal box system, of  claim 11 , wherein the at least either the top compartment or the bottom compartment has a sleeve like configuration that provides for multiple compartments.