U.S. patent application number 10/606248 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-26 for container including detachable cup and built-in warming tray.
This patent application is currently assigned to S.C. JOHNSON HOME STORAGE, INC.. Invention is credited to Carpiaux, Douglas, Cotterman, Jesse D., Roland, David, Schultz, Marissa A. K..
Application Number | 20040035867 10/606248 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31891298 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040035867 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schultz, Marissa A. K. ; et
al. |
February 26, 2004 |
Container including detachable cup and built-in warming tray
Abstract
A container includes a bowl, a lid for the bowl, and a cup that
is detachably securable to the underside of the lid. When the lid
is positioned so as to cover the bowl, the cup is securable within
the interior of the bowl, and when the lid is placed underneath the
bowl, the bowl is supported at a height above at least a portion of
the lid such that an air pocket is defined between the bowl and
that portion of the lid. When the container is heated in a
microwave, for example, the air pocket heats up to keep the
contents of the container warm.
Inventors: |
Schultz, Marissa A. K.;
(Racine, WI) ; Roland, David; (Cedarburg, WI)
; Carpiaux, Douglas; (Milwaukee, WI) ; Cotterman,
Jesse D.; (Grafton, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
1525 HOWE STREET
RACINE
WI
53403-2236
US
|
Assignee: |
S.C. JOHNSON HOME STORAGE,
INC.
RACINE
WI
|
Family ID: |
31891298 |
Appl. No.: |
10/606248 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60391576 |
Jun 27, 2002 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/212 ;
220/23.89; 220/522; 220/781; 220/793; 220/805 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00537
20130101; B65D 2543/00805 20130101; B65D 2543/00101 20130101; B65D
2543/00351 20130101; B65D 2543/00509 20130101; B65D 2543/00842
20130101; B65D 51/249 20130101; B65D 43/0204 20130101; B65D
2543/00694 20130101; B65D 2543/00555 20130101; B65D 81/3453
20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 51/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/212 ;
220/23.89; 220/522; 220/781; 220/793; 220/805 |
International
Class: |
B65D 051/28; B65D
021/02 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A container, comprising: a bowl; a lid for the bowl; and a cup
that is detachably securable to the underside of the lid, wherein,
when the lid is positioned so as to cover the bowl, the cup is
securable within the interior of the bowl, and when the lid is
placed underneath the bowl, the bowl is supported at a height above
at least a portion of the lid such that an air pocket is defined
between the bowl and that portion of the lid.
2. The container of claim 1, further comprising cup-securing means,
provided on the underside of the lid, for securing the cup to the
lid.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein the cup-securing means
comprises a stepped portion that protrudes from the underside of
the lid, and the cup includes a rim that is sized to fit snugly
around the stepped portion.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein, when the lid is placed upside
down, underneath the bowl, the stepped portion supports the bowl at
a height above at least a portion of the lid such that an air
pocket is defined between the bowl and that portion of the lid.
5. The container of claim 2, wherein the cup-securing means
comprises a recess formed in the underside of the lid, and the cup
includes a rim that is sized to fit snugly within the recess.
6. The container of claim 5, wherein the lid includes a stepped
portion protruding from the top of the lid, and when the lid is
placed upright, underneath the bowl, the stepped portion supports
the bowl at a height above at least a portion of the lid such that
an air pocket is defined between the bowl and that portion of the
lid.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the bowl includes a
substantially four-sided rim with a pair of snap tabs disposed at
opposite corners of the rim, and the lid includes corresponding
snap tabs that are engageable with the snap tabs on the rim of the
bowl to releasably secure the lid to the bowl.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein the bowl includes a
substantially four-sided rim that is wider on two opposite sides
than on the other two opposite sides.
9. A container, comprising: a bowl, including a base, a rim, and at
least one upstanding sidewall; a lid for the bowl, the lid
including a central panel, a peripheral sealing lip, and a
cup-securing structure; and a cup that is detachably securable to
the cup-securing structure, wherein, when the lid is positioned so
as to cover the bowl, the cup is securable within the interior of
the bowl, and when the lid is placed underneath the bowl, the bowl
is supported at a height above the central panel of the lid such
that an air pocket is defined between the base of the bowl and the
central panel of the lid.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the cup-securing structure
comprises a stepped portion that protrudes from the underside of
the lid, and the cup includes a rim that is sized to fit snugly
around the stepped portion.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein, when the lid is placed
upside down, underneath the bowl, the stepped portion supports the
bowl at a height above the central panel of the lid such that an
air pocket is defined between the base of the bowl and the central
panel of the lid.
12. The container of claim 9, wherein the cup-securing structure
comprises a recess formed in the underside of the lid, and the cup
includes a rim that is sized to fit snugly within the recess.
13. The container of claim 12, wherein the lid includes a stepped
portion protruding from the top of the lid, and when the lid is
placed upright, underneath the bowl, the stepped portion supports
the bowl at a height above the central panel of the lid such that
an air pocket is defined between the base of the bowl and the
central panel of the lid.
14. The container of claim 9, wherein the rim of the bowl is
substantially four-sided and includes a pair of snap tabs disposed
at opposite corners of the rim, and the lid includes corresponding
snap tabs that are engageable with the snap tabs on the rim of the
bowl to releasably secure the lid to the bowl.
15. The container of claim 9, wherein the rim of the bowl is
substantially four-sided, with two opposite sides being wider than
the other two opposite sides.
16. A container for separately storing at least two food items, the
container comprising: a bowl, including a base, a rim, and at least
one upstanding sidewall; a lid for the bowl, the lid including a
central panel, a peripheral sealing lip, and a stepped portion
protruding from the underside of the lid; and a cup, including a
rim that is sized to fit snugly around the stepped portion of the
lid to detachably secure to cup to the lid, wherein, when the lid
is positioned so as to cover the bowl, the cup is securable within
the interior of the bowl, and when the lid is placed upside down,
underneath the bowl, the stepped portion of the lid supports the
base of the bowl at a height above the central panel of the lid
such that an air pocket is defined between the base of the bowl and
the central panel of the lid.
17. The container of claim 16, wherein the rim of the bowl is
substantially four-sided and includes a pair of snap tabs disposed
at opposite corners of the rim, and the lid includes corresponding
snap tabs that are engageable with the snap tabs on the rim of the
bowl to releasably secure the lid to the bowl.
18. The container of claim 16, wherein the rim of the bowl is
substantially four-sided, with two opposite sides being wider than
the other two opposite sides.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/391,576, filed Jun. 27, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a container, and,
in particular, to a container including a cup that is detachably
securable within the container and a lid that can be utilized as a
warming tray when the container is heated.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Containers, such as the type used to store food items and
the like, are well known in the art. Recently, there has been
considerable competition in the container industry to develop new
and innovative containers that satisfy the ever-evolving desires of
consumers. Today's consumers demand, for example, containers that
are economical, easy to handle, stackable, aesthetically pleasing,
and/or capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, such as those
associated with freezing and microwaving.
[0006] Another desirable feature, which, prior to the present
invention, was largely unaddressed in the container art, is the
capability of separately storing different food items within a
single container. For example, salad tends to lose its crispness if
dressing is applied too long before consumption. Preferably, the
dressing should be applied just prior to consumption. Before the
present invention, however, this required one to carry two separate
containers--one for the salad, and another one for the dressing.
This, of course, is less convenient that having everything in a
single container, particularly when away from home.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a versatile container that
addresses a number of consumer desires, such as those noted
above.
[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, a container
includes a bowl, a lid for the bowl, and a cup that is detachably
securable to the underside of the lid. When the lid is positioned
so as to cover the bowl, the cup is securable within the interior
of the bowl, and when the lid is placed underneath the bowl, the
bowl is supported at a height above at least a portion of the lid
such that an air pocket is defined between the bowl and that
portion of the lid.
[0009] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a
container including (i) a bowl, including a base, a rim, and at
least one upstanding sidewall; (ii) a lid for the bowl, the lid
including a central panel, a peripheral sealing lip, and a
cup-securing structure; and (iii) a cup that is detachably
securable to the cup-securing structure. When the lid is positioned
so as to cover the bowl, the cup is securable within the interior
of the bowl, and when the lid is placed underneath the bowl, the
bowl is supported at a height above the central panel of the lid
such that an air pocket is defined between the base of the bowl and
the central panel of the lid.
[0010] In still another aspect, the present invention relates to a
container for separately storing at least two food items. The
container includes (i) a bowl, including a base, a rim, and at
least one upstanding sidewall; (ii) a lid for the bowl, the lid
including a central panel, a peripheral sealing lip, and a stepped
portion protruding from the underside of the lid; and (iii) a cup,
including a rim that is sized to fit snugly around the stepped
portion of the lid to detachably secure to cup to the lid. When the
lid is positioned so as to cover the bowl, the cup is securable
within the interior of the bowl, and when the lid is placed upside
down, underneath the bowl, the stepped portion of the lid supports
the base of the bowl at a height above the central panel of the lid
such that an air pocket is defined between the base of the bowl and
the central panel of the lid.
[0011] A better understanding of these and other features and
advantages of the invention may be had by reference to the drawings
and to the accompanying description, in which preferred embodiments
of the invention are illustrated and described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to a
first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the container shown in
FIG. 1, with the lid removed and the cup detached from the lid.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of the container shown in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the container shown in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line
A-A in FIG. 3.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container shown in FIG.
1, with the lid removed and the bowl resting on the lid.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of the container shown in FIG. 6.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line
B-B in FIG. 7.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a container according to
another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the container shown
in FIG. 9, with the lid removed and the cup detached from the
lid.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a top view of the container shown in FIG. 9.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a side view of the container shown in FIG. 9.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line
C-C in FIG. 11.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the container shown in FIG.
9, with the lid removed and the bowl resting on the lid.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a side view of the container shown in FIG.
14.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line
D-D in FIG. 15.
[0028] Throughout the figures, like or corresponding reference
numerals have been used for like or corresponding parts.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] A container 100 according to a first preferred embodiment of
the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-8.
[0030] The container 100 includes a bowl 200, a lid 300, and a cup
400. The cup 400 is detachably securable to the underside of the
lid 300, so that when the lid 300 is placed on the bowl 200, the
cup 400 may be secured within the interior of the bowl 200. In this
way, the contents of the cup 400 and the bowl 200 may be stored
separately from each other, with the lid 300 serving as a lid for
both the bowl 200 and the cup 400 therein. For example, salad could
be stored in the bowl and dressing could be stored in the cup.
Other possible uses for the cup include holding condiments,
pickles, grated cheese, dips, sauces, money, and the like.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bowl 200 includes a base 210,
upstanding sidewalls 220, and a rim 230. In the preferred
embodiment shown, the bowl 200 is generally four-sided. Bowls
having other shapes could be used as well, such as, for example,
bowls with circular, oval, or polygonally-shaped bases and/or
rims.
[0032] Preferably, the bowl rim 230 is wider on two opposite sides
240 than it is on the other two opposite sides 250. The wide rim
makes the bowl 200 easier to grasp, particularly when the contents
of the bowl 200 are hot.
[0033] Snap tabs 260 are provided at opposite corners of the bowl
200. The snap tabs 260 help to secure the lid 300 to the bowl, as
discussed below. Fewer or more snap tabs can be provided, or their
location can be varied, as desired.
[0034] The lid 300 includes a central panel 310 and a peripheral
sealing lip 320. As shown in FIG. 5, the sealing lip 320 is
substantially U-shaped and fits snugly over the rim 230 of the bowl
200, preferably forming an airtight seal between the lid 300 and
the bowl 200.
[0035] In the preferred embodiment shown, the central panel 310 is
raised slightly relative to the sealing lip 320. This allows the
container 100 to accommodate items that are slightly taller than
the bowl 200 itself, such as a large piece of fruit, for example.
Alternatively, the central panel 310 may be level with or lower
than the sealing lip 320.
[0036] Snap tabs 330 at opposite corners of the lid 300 releasably
engage with the snap tabs 260 on the bowl 200. The snap tabs 260,
330 are easily unfastened with just the thumb and index finger of a
single hand in order to remove the lid 300 from the bowl 200.
[0037] The lid 300 also includes cup-securing means for detachably
securing the cup 400 to the underside of the lid 300. In the
preferred embodiment shown, the cup-securing means comprises a
cylindrical stepped portion 350 that protrudes from the underside
of the lid 300. As shown in FIG. 5, the cup 400 has a rim 410 that
is sized to fit snugly around the stepped portion 350, thereby
securing the cup 400 to the underside of the lid 300.
[0038] An advantageous feature of this preferred embodiment is that
the lid 300 can also be used as a warming tray for the contents of
the container 100. Prior to heating the contents of the container
100 in a microwave, for example, the lid 300 can be removed from
the bowl 200 and placed upside down, underneath the bowl 200, in
the manner illustrated in FIGS. 6-8. In this preferred embodiment,
the base 210 of the bowl 200 is supported on the stepped portion
350 of the lid 300 at a height above the central panel 310 of the
lid 300, thereby defining an air pocket between the bowl 200 and
the lid 300. When the container 100 is microwaved, the air pocket
heats up. After microwaving, the hot air pocket helps to keep the
contents of the container 100 warm. Meanwhile, the lid 300 catches
any condensation that may drip from the bowl 200 during the heating
and subsequent cooling processes.
[0039] In another preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-16, the
cup-securing means comprises a recess 360' formed in the underside
of the central panel 310' of the lid 300'. In this embodiment, the
rim 410' of the cup 400' is sized to fit snugly within the recess
360', as shown in FIG. 13.
[0040] In this embodiment, the lid 300' can be utilized as a
warming tray in an upright (as opposed to upside down)
configuration, such as illustrated in FIGS. 14-16. In this case,
the base 210' of the bowl 200' is supported atop a stepped portion
350' protruding from the lid 300' above the recess 360'.
[0041] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous other
structures can be utilized for securing the cup to the lid. For
example, stepped portions or recesses having different shapes can
be used. Such stepped portions and/or recesses also may be
threaded, in which case the rim of the cup may also be threaded.
Alternatively, the lid and/or the rim of the cup can be provided
with a reusable adhesive layer. Still another alternative is to
provide hooks on the underside of the lid for releasably engaging
the cup rim. These and other alternative cup-securing structures
are envisioned within the scope of the present invention.
[0042] Preferably, the bowl, lid, and cup are made of
polypropylene. Alternatively, these components can be made of
polyethylene, polystyrene, CPET, polycarbonate, and/or other
plastic materials. Metal and ceramic materials could also be used,
although such materials are generally not suitable for
microwaving.
[0043] The embodiments discussed above are representative of
preferred embodiments of the present invention and are provided for
illustrative purposes only. They are not intended to limit the
scope of the invention. Although specific shapes, configurations,
materials, etc. have been shown and described, such are not
limiting. Modifications and variations are contemplated within the
scope of the present invention, which is intended to be limited
only by the scope of the accompanying claims.
[0044] Industrial Applicability
[0045] This invention relates to a container of the type used to
store food items and the like. The container includes a bowl, a lid
for the bowl, and a cup that is detachably securable to the
underside of the lid. When the lid is positioned so as to cover the
bowl, the cup is securable within the interior of the bowl, with
the contents of the cup being stored separately from the contents
of the bowl. When microwaving the container, for example, the lid
can be placed underneath the bowl to serve as a warming tray for
keeping the contents of the bowl warm.
* * * * *