U.S. patent application number 11/128451 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-16 for container kit with graspable lid.
Invention is credited to Steven J. Svitak.
Application Number | 20060255052 11/128451 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37418151 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060255052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Svitak; Steven J. |
November 16, 2006 |
Container kit with graspable lid
Abstract
A container assembly outfits a wide mouth container and thereby
enables a user to single-handedly grasp and transfer the container.
The container assembly comprises a lid portion and a content cover.
The lid portion comprises at least one rim-locking portion and at
least one hand-grippable flange. The rim-locking portion(s) are
inwardly adjacent to the hand-grippable flange(s). A spillage basin
may be formed inwardly adjacent to the rim-locking portion(s). The
content cover contacts and covers container contents. The content
cover also comprises a spillage basin and is displaceable
intermediate a rim portion and a bottom portion of the container,
and thus be said to ride upon the container contents as the volume
of container contents changes. The spillage basins collect and
retain spillage for easing spillage cleanup. The content cover is
outfitted with certain structure for easing removal of the content
cover and the container contents.
Inventors: |
Svitak; Steven J.; (Lisle,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Christopher J. Scott
P.O. Box 694
W Dundee
IL
60118
US
|
Family ID: |
37418151 |
Appl. No.: |
11/128451 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/780 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/245 20130101;
B65D 2543/00537 20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/00796
20130101; B65D 51/246 20130101; B65D 2543/00518 20130101; B65D
2543/00629 20130101; B65D 2543/0074 20130101; B65D 43/0208
20130101; B65D 2543/00685 20130101; B65D 2543/00555 20130101; B65D
2543/00842 20130101; B65D 2543/00027 20130101; B65D 2543/00296
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/780 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/18 20060101
B65D041/18 |
Claims
1. A coffee container assembly for enabling a user to manually and
single-handedly grasp a coffee container containing contact covered
coffee, the coffee container assembly comprising, in combination: a
coffee container, the coffee container comprising a rim portion, a
bottom portion, and a wall portion, the wall portion extending
intermediate the rim portion and the bottom portion, the wall
portion comprising an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface,
the wall portion being cylindrical in form, the inner wall surface
having a substantially uniform inner wall diameter and the outer
wall surface having a substantially uniform outer wall diameter,
the outer wall diameter being greater in magnitude than the inner
wall diameter, the rim portion comprising a superior rim end, an
inferior rim end, an inner rim surface, and an outer rim surface,
the inner rim surface having a substantially uniform inner rim
diameter and the outer rim surface having a substantially uniform
outer rim diameter, the inner rim diameter being lesser in
magnitude than the inner wall diameter and the outer rim diameter
being greater in magnitude than the outer wall diameter; a
container lid portion for removably covering the coffee container
and for enabling a user to manually and single-handedly grasp the
coffee container, the container lid portion comprising an inner lid
portion, an outer lid portion, two rim-locking portions, two
radially opposite, radially-extending hand-grippable flanges, and
an outer spillage basin, the rim-locking portions being radially
inwardly adjacent to the hand-grippable flanges, the rim-locking
portions comprising an outer lock diameter, the outer lock diameter
being greater in magnitude than the outer rim diameter, the outer
spillage basin being formed at the outer lid portion radially
inwardly adjacent to the rim-locking portions for pooling spillage;
and a coffee lid portion, the coffee lid portion for covering
coffee contained in the coffee container, the coffee lid portion
comprising an inferior lid surface, a superior lid surface, an
inner spillage basin, and a cover periphery, the cover periphery
having an inner lid diameter, the inner lid diameter being lesser
in magnitude than the inner rim diameter, the coffee lid portion
thus being movable intermediate the rim portion and bottom portion
adjacent the wall portion, the inferior lid surface for contacting
and covering the coffee, the inner spillage basin being formed at
the superior lid surface radially inwardly adjacent to the cover
periphery for pooling spillage, the superior lid surface comprising
inner lid removal means, the inner lid removal means for enabling a
user to remove the coffee lid portion from contacting and covering
the coffee thus enabling coffee removal from the coffee
container.
2. The container assembly of claim 1 wherein each rim-locking
portion comprises an axially extending inner rim flange, an axially
extending outer rim flange, and a flex portion, the inner rim
flange comprising a radially outwardly extending lock tab, the
outer rim flange comprising a radially inwardly extending lock tab,
the flex portion for flexing in superior adjacency to the superior
rim end, the inner rim flange extendable adjacent the inner rim
surface, the outwardly extending lock tab for engaging the inferior
rim end adjacent the inner rim surface, the outer rim flange
extendable adjacent the outer rim surface, the inwardly extending
lock tab for engaging the inferior rim end adjacent the outer rim
surface, the flex portion enabling the user to disengage the lock
tabs from the inferior rim end for removing the container lid
portion from the coffee container.
3. The container assembly of claim 2 wherein the coffee lid portion
comprises an air gap structure, the air gap structure being
radially outwardly adjacent to the inner spillage basin adjacent
the inferior lid suface.
4. The container assembly of claim 3 wherein the coffee lid portion
comprises coffee removal means for enabling the user to remove
coffee from the coffee container.
5. The container assembly of claim 4 wherein the coffee removal
means is defined by a coffee scoop cooperatively associated with
the lid removal means, the lid removal means for positioning the
coffee scoop when not removing coffee from the coffee
container.
6. A container assembly for enabling a user to manually grasp a
container containing contact-covered container contents, the
container assembly comprising, in combination: a container, the
container comprising a rim portion, a bottom portion, and a wall
portion, the wall portion extending intermediate the rim portion
and the bottom portion, the wall portion comprising an inner wall
surface and an outer wall surface, the rim portion comprising a
superior rim end, an inferior rim end, an inner rim surface, and an
outer rim surface; and a container lid, the container lid being
removably attachable to the container for selectively covering
container contents, the container lid comprising an inner lid
portion, an outer lid portion, at least one rim-locking portion,
and at least one hand-grippable flange, the rim-locking portion
being inwardly adjacent to the hand-grippable flange, the
rim-locking portion for removably locking the container lid to the
rim portion, the hand-grippable flange for enhancing a user's
ability to manually grasp the container.
7. The container assembly of claim 6 wherein the rim-locking
portion comprises an inner rim flange, an outer rim flange, and a
flex portion, the inner rim flange comprising an outwardly
extending lock tab, the outer rim flange comprising a inwardly
extending lock tab, the flex portion for flexing in superior
adjacency to the superior rim end, the inner rim flange extendable
adjacent the inner rim surface, the outwardly extending lock tab
for engaging the inferior rim end adjacent the inner rim surface,
the outer rim flange extendable adjacent the outer rim surface, the
inwardly extending lock tab for engaging the inferior rim end
adjacent the outer rim surface, the flex portion enabling the user
to disengage the lock tabs from the inferior rim end for removing
the container lid.
8. The container assembly of claim 7 comprising a content cover,
the content cover for contact-covering container contents, the
content cover comprising an inferior cover surface, a superior
cover surface, and a cover periphery, the cover periphery being
movable intermediate the rim portion and bottom portion adjacent
the wall portion.
9. The container assembly of claim 8 wherein the container lid
comprises an outer spillage basin and the content cover comprises
an inner spillage basin, the outer spillage basin being formed at
the outer lid portion inwardly adjacent to the rim-locking portion,
the inner spillage basin being formed at the superior cover surface
inwardly adjacent to the inner cover periphery, the outer and inner
spillage basins for pooling spillage.
10. The container assembly of claim 9 wherein the content cover
comprises an air gap structure, the air gap structure being
outwardly adjacent to the inner spillage basin adjacent the
inferior cover surface.
11. The container assembly of claim 10 wherein the superior cover
surface comprises cover removal means, the cover removal means for
enabling removal of the content cover from contact-covering
container contents for enabling container contents removal from the
container.
12. The container assembly of claim 11 wherein the content cover
comprises content removal means for enabling the user to remove
container contents from the container.
13. The container assembly of claim 12 wherein the content removal
means is defined by a content removal tool cooperatively associated
with the cover removal means, the cover removal means for
positioning the content removal tool when not removing container
contents from the container.
14. A container kit for outfitting a container, the container
comprising a rim portion, a bottom portion, and a wall portion, the
rim portion comprising an inner rim surface and an outer rim
surface, the container kit comprising: a container lid for
removably covering the container, the container lid comprising an
inferior lid portion, a superior lid portion, at least one
rim-locking portion, and at least one hand-grippable flange, the
rim-locking portion being inwardly adjacent to the hand-grippable
flange, the rim-locking portion for removably locking the container
lid to the rim portion, the hand-grippable flange for enhancing a
user's ability to manually grasp the container.
15. The container kit of claim 14 wherein the rim-locking portion
comprises an inner rim flange, an outer rim flange, and a flex
portion, the inner rim flange comprising an outwardly extending
lock tab, the outer rim flange comprising a inwardly extending lock
tab, the flex portion for flexing in superior adjacency to a
superior rim end of the rim portion, the inner rim flange extending
perpendicular to the inferior lid surface, the outwardly extending
lock tab for engaging an inferior rim end of the rim portion
adjacent the inner rim surface, the outer rim flange extending
perpendicular to the inferior lid surface, the inwardly extending
lock tab for engaging the inferior rim end adjacent the outer rim
surface, the flex portion enabling the user to disengage the lock
tabs from the inferior rim end for removing the container lid from
the container.
16. The container kit of claim 14 comprising a content cover, the
content cover for contact-covering container contents, the content
cover comprising an inferior cover surface, a superior cover
surface, and a cover periphery, the cover periphery being movable
intermediate the rim portion and bottom portion adjacent the wall
portion.
17. The container kit of claim 16 wherein the container lid
comprises an outer spillage basin and the content cover comprises
an inner spillage basin, the outer spillage basin being formed at
the superior lid portion inwardly adjacent to the rim-locking
portion, the inner spillage basin being formed at the superior
cover surface inwardly adjacent to the cover periphery, the outer
and inner spillage basins for pooling spillage.
18. The container kit of claim 17 wherein the content cover
comprises an air gap structure, the air gap structure being
outwardly adjacent to the inner spillage basin adjacent the
inferior cover surface.
19. The container kit of claim 16 wherein the superior cover
surface comprises cover removal means, the cover removal means for
enabling the user to remove the content cover from contact-covering
the container contents thus enabling container contents removal
from the container.
20. The container kit of claim 19 comprising content removal means,
the content removal means for enabling the user to remove container
contents from the container.
21. The container kit of claim 20 wherein the content removal means
is defined by a content removal tool cooperatively associated with
the cover removal means, the cover removal means for retaining the
content removal tool when not removing container contents from the
container.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a container
assembly and kit. More particularly, the present invention relates
to a container assembly and kit for outfitting difficult-to-grasp
containers for enabling users to more easily manually grasp and
handle the containers and further for hindering molecular
interactions between various container contents.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] At the turn of the twentieth century, roasted coffee began
to be packaged in vacuum tins or cans. Since that time, coffee tins
or cans continue to be widely used for storage of coffee as well as
other contents. Coffee consumers often store the canned coffee in
refrigerated storage means and the like in an effort to maintain
the freshness of the coffee grounds. The coffee cans or containers,
having large diameters or wide mouths, are often difficult to grasp
and/or transfer from place to place single handedly. Further,
repeated exposure of the canned coffee to air results in a
quickened rate of coffee oxidation, thereby increasing the
staleness of the coffee and the general displeasure of the coffee
consumer. Despite the noted drawbacks of the traditional vacuum
packed coffee can system, vacuum tinned coffee cans continue to be
a popular means of storing and shipping coffee to consumers for
consumption.
[0005] Container assemblies, whether for storing coffee or other
contents, are well developed and continue to be the focus of
ongoing development. Among the myriad prior art container assembly
teachings, several appear to be notable in terms of their
respective pertinence to the disclosures presented in this
specificiation. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,671 ('671 Patent),
which issued to Hayes, discloses a Closure for a Wide Mouth
Container. The '671 Patent teaches a snap-on closure for wide mouth
containers having an integral hinged lid, which can be lifted, as
by the thumb, to provide access for spooning contents out of the
mouth. The lid closes on a top flange, which is presented by either
the closure or the container. The closure has a skirt and snaps
onto the container below the top flange or to an attachment bead on
the container.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,603 ('603 Patent), which issued to
Schormair et al., discloses a Pressure Lid Container. The '603
Patent teaches a pressure lid can or container with at least one
part body member and a lid member, which together with the closure
side end of the body member forms a tight closure, in which a lever
gap is left free between the body member and the lid member to be
levered up and in which the lid member has an all-round resilient
engagement lip, which engages from the inside under pretension in a
closure crease of the body member adapted to the engagement lip
shape in which instead of the engagement lip of the lid member
engaging in a separately produced closure crease, it resiliently
engages below an inwardly rolled, upper circumferential edge bead
of the body element.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,009 ('009 Patent), which issued to King,
discloses Accessories to Enhance the Recyclability of Metal Cans.
The '009 Patent teaches a coffee can accessory comprising a handle
having an upper and lower end and a grippable portion disposed
between them. A lid is hingedly attached to the upper end of the
handle, the lid having an upper and lower surface, the lower
surface having at least one continuous lip suitable to engage the
an upper apex bead of the coffee can (or the like). Additionally,
the lid has a cutout through which a paint brush may pas which is
particularly configured so as to enable a paint brush to hang
suspended in the can from the lid. The can may be secured to the
handle by a variety of mechanisms.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,544 ('544 Patent), which issued to
Bolton et al., discloses an Easy Open Ventable Closure for Sealed
Particulate Package. The '544 Patent teaches a container for
packaging a particular product under pressure or vacuum conditions
with an easy opening closure structure which allows venting prior
to uncovering of the product opening. In one form, an easy peel
flexible lid covers a shelf area and a product opening in the top
of the can. Peeling back the lid first uncovers the vent opening,
permitting the flow of gases but preventing the flow of particulate
product, and then uncovers the product opening.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,974 ('974 Patent), which issued to
Murdick et al., discloses a Can for Powder Products having Scoop
Retaining Means. The '974 Patent teaches a lid for a container
designed to contain powder or granular materials. The lid comprises
a lip on an interior or bottom surface of the lid for selectively
attaching a scoop. The lip is resiliently deformable when an edge
of the scoop is pressed against it. This deforming creates an
interference fit, thereby securing the scoop to the undersurface of
the lid. When the scoop is to be used, it can be easily removed
from the lid without the need for rooting and searching within the
container for the lid.
[0010] It will thus be seen from an inspection of the foregoing as
well as other teachings commonly known in the art that the prior
art does not teach an coffee can assembly or container assembly or
kit that outfits a wide mouth or large diameter coffee can or
container for easing transferability of the container and further
for slowing oxidation of container contents. The prior art thus
perceives a need for a coffee can assembly or container assembly or
kit that outfits a wide mouth or large diameter coffee can or
container for easing transferability of the container and further
for slowing oxidation of container contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a means for outfitting wide mouth coffee containers and the
like so that users thereof may more easily grasp the containers for
transferability. It is noted in this regard, that users must often
utilize two hands to transfer a wide mouth coffee container. It is
thus contemplated that a simple kit for outfitting the coffee
container or similar other container for enabling a user to
single-handedly transfer the outfitted container would be
beneficial to the state of the art.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
means for slowing the oxidation of container contents and thereby
prolong the shelf life of the container contents. It is noted in
this regard, that coffee consumers are often desirous of prolonging
the shelf life or maintaining the freshness of coffee bought in
relatively large, wide mouth coffee containers. It is thus
contemplated that reducing the surface contact area of container
contents (for example, coffee) with air surrounding the container
contents provides a simple means for hindering the oxidation
process and thus may effect a longer shelf life of container
contents.
[0013] To achieve these and other readily apparent objectives, the
present invention provides a container assembly and/or kit for
enabling a user to manually and single-handedly grasp a relatively
large diameter or wide mouth container. The container assembly
essentially comprises, in combination a container, a lid portion,
and a content cover. It is contemplated that the container is a
typical off-the-shelf coffee container or coffee can of the type
commonly used to store pre-ground coffee grounds. In any event, it
is contemplated that the assembly of the present invention is
designed for outfitting a container comprising a rim portion, a
bottom portion, and a wall portion.
[0014] The lid portion is designed for removably covering the
container and also for simultaneously enabling a user to manually
and single-handedly grasp the. The lid portion comprises an inner
lid portion, an outer lid portion, at least one rim-locking
portion, and at least one hand-grippable flange. Additionally, the
lid portion may comprise a spillage basin. The rim-locking
portion(s) are inwardly adjacent to the hand-grippable flange(s).
The spillage basin is formed at the outer lid portion inwardly
adjacent to the rim-locking portion(s) for pooling spillage.
[0015] The content cover is designed for contacting and covering
container contents (for example, coffee). In this regard, it is
contemplated that coffee and/or other foodstuffs contained in
containers often become stale through chemical interactions between
the coffee and/or other foodstuffs and the air at the surface of
the contained container contents (e.g. coffee and/or other
foodstuffs). The content cover thus comes into contact with the
container contents as a means to slow chemical exchanges at the
interface between the container contents and the air above the
container contents.
[0016] The content cover comprises an inferior lid surface, a
superior lid surface, a spillage basin, and a cover periphery. The
content cover is movable or displaceable intermediate the rim
portion and the bottom portion adjacent the wall portion 13. In
other words, as container contents are removed from the container,
the volume thereof decreases and the content cover, being in
contact-cover with the container contents becomes otherwise
displaced from its original state. The content cover may thus be
said to travel or ride upon the container contents.
[0017] Other objects of the present invention, as well as
particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be
elucidated or become apparent from, the following description and
the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Other features of my invention will become more evident from
a consideration of the following brief description of my patent
drawings, as follows:
[0019] FIG. 1 exploded perspective view of the container assembly
with a wall portion of the container shown in phantom to show the
coffee lid portion.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view of the
container lid portion as sectioned from FIG. 1 showing a user's
hand grasping a hand-grippable flange of the container lid
portion.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view of the
coffee lid portion as sectioned from FIG. 1 showing the inferior
cover surface contact-covering the container contents.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0022] Referring now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of
the present invention concerns a coffee container assembly and/or
kit for enabling a user to manually and single-handedly grasp a
relatively large diameter, wide mouth cylindrical coffee container.
The coffee container assembly thus preferably comprises, in
combination, a coffee container 10 as illustrated and referenced in
FIG. 1; a container lid portion 30 as illustrated and referenced in
FIGS. 1 and 2; and a coffee lid portion 50 or content cover as
illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1 and 3. It is contemplated
that coffee container 10 is a typical off-the-shelf coffee
container or coffee can of the type commonly used to vacuum pack
and store pre-ground coffee grounds. In this regard, it will be
noted that a coffee container of this type typically comprises a
rim portion 11 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1 and 2; a
bottom portion 12 as illustrated and referenced in FIG. 1; and a
wall portion 13 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1-3.
[0023] It will be understood from a consideration of the noted
figures that wall portion 13 extends intermediate rim portion 11
and bottom portion 12 and comprises an inner wall surface 14 and an
outer wall surface 15 as referenced in FIGS. 2 and 3. From a
general inspection of FIG. 1, it will be seen that wall portion 13
is preferably of a cylindrical form and thus inner wall surface 14
inherently has a substantially uniform inner wall diameter (not
specifically referenced) and outer wall surface 15 inherently has a
substantially uniform outer wall diameter (not specifically
referenced). In this regard, it will be understood that wall
portion 13 has a given thickness and thus the difference between
the outer wall diameter and the inner wall diameter is roughly
twice the thickness of wall portion 13. It will thus be readily
understood that the outer wall diameter is greater in magnitude
than the inner wall diameter.
[0024] Rim portion 11 preferably comprises a superior rim end 16,
an inferior rim end 17, an inner rim surface 18, and an outer rim
surface 19 all as referenced in FIG. 2. Being integrally formed to
cylindrical wall portion 13, rim portion 11 is generally circular
in transverse cross section or also cylindrical in form. In this
regard, it will be noted that inner rim surface 18 inherently has a
substantially uniform inner rim diameter (not specifically
referenced) and outer rim surface 19 inherently has a substantially
uniform outer rim diameter (not specifically referenced). It will
be further understood that rim portion 11 has a given thickness and
thus the difference between the outer rim diameter and the inner
rim diameter is roughly twice the thickness of rim portion 11. It
will thus be readily understood that the outer rim diameter is
greater in magnitude than the inner rim diameter. Further, it will
be noted that the inner rim diameter is lesser in magnitude than
the inner wall diameter and the outer rim diameter is greater in
magnitude than the outer wall diameter.
[0025] Container lid portion 30 is designed for removably covering
coffee container 10 and further for enabling a user to manually and
single-handedly grasp coffee container 10 as generally depicted in
FIG. 2. In this regard, it will be noted that container lid portion
30 preferably comprises an inner or inferior lid portion 31 as
referenced in FIG. 2; an outer or superior lid portion 32 as
referenced in FIG. 2; two rim-locking portions 33, one of which is
illustrated and referenced in FIG. 2; and two radially opposite,
radially-extending hand-grippable flanges 34, both of which are
illustrated and referenced in FIG. 1, and one of which is
illustrated and referenced in FIG. 2. Additionally, container lid
portion 30 may preferably comprise an outer spillage basin 35 as
illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be seen from a
general inspection of FIG. 2 that rim-locking portions 33 are
preferably radially inwardly adjacent to hand-grippable flanges 34,
but further preferably comprise an outer lock diameter (the
diameter or dimension that terminates at the hand-grippable
flange(s) 34), the outer lock diameter being greater in magnitude
than the outer rim diameter.
[0026] Outer spillage basin 35 is preferably formed at outer lid
portion 32 radially inwardly adjacent to rim-locking portions 33
for pooling spillage. In other words, it is contemplated that the
coffee container assembly or kit of the present invention is
primarily intended for storage of coffee or other container
contents. During periods of storage, other foodstuffs and the like
may also be stored in adjacency to the coffee container assembly
and/or kit. Should other foodstuffs and the like be spilled, it is
contemplated that outer spillage basin 35 is designed to collect
and pool the spillage for easing clean-up of the spillage. Outer
spillage basin 35 is thus essentially a depression formed in
container lid portion 30 inwardly adjacent to the outer edges of
container lid portion 30 and thus functions to pool spillage
centrally relative to the outer edges of container lid portion
30.
[0027] Each rim-locking portion 33 preferably comprises an axially
extending inner rim flange 36, an axially extending outer rim
flange 37, and a flex portion 38 all as illustrated and referenced
in FIG. 2. Inner rim flange 36 preferably comprises a radially
outwardly extending lock tab 39 and outer rim flange 37 preferably
comprises a radially inwardly extending lock tab 40 both of which
are further illustrated and referenced in FIG. 2. Flex portion 38
is designed so as to be spatially located in superior adjacency to
superior rim end 16 as generally depicted in FIG. 2. Inner rim
flange 36 extends adjacent inner rim surface 18, the outwardly
extending lock tab 39 for engaging inferior rim end 17 adjacent
inner rim surface 18. Outer rim flange 37 extends adjacent outer
rim surface 19, the inwardly extending lock tab 40 for engaging
inferior rim end 17 adjacent outer rim surface 19. Flex portion 38
is flexible and thus enables the user to disengage lock tabs 39 and
40 from inferior rim end 17 for removing container lid portion 30
from coffee container 10.
[0028] Coffee lid portion 50 or the content cover is designed for
covering coffee or container contents contained in coffee container
10. In this regard, it is contemplated that coffee and/or other
foodstuffs contained in containers often become stale through
chemical interactions between the coffee and/or other foodstuffs
and the air at the surface of the container contents (e.g. coffee
and/or other foodstuffs). Anything left out in the air for an
extended period will (unless it is sealed up in some way) exchange
moisture and other volatiles with the air. Many foodstuff flavors
come from volatile organic compounds. Thus, if freely exposed to
air, the volatility of the organic compounds will cause the organic
compounds to evaporate into the air, thereby leaving or passing
from the substrate in which they were originally situated. This
alters the taste of foodstuffs and often leaves the foodstuffs
stale.
[0029] Coffee lid portion 50 thus comes into contact with the
coffee 70 or other foodstuffs or container contents contained in
coffee container 10 as a means to slow chemical exchanges at the
interface between the container contents and the air above the
container contents. In this regard, it is contemplated that coffee
lid portion 50 contacts and covers the coffee 70 or container
contents and thus may be said to "contact-cover" the coffee 70 or
container contents.
[0030] The coffee lid portion 50 or content cover is thus designed
for "contact-covering" container contents and preferably comprises
an inferior lid surface 51 (or inferior cover surface) as
referenced in FIG. 3; a superior lid surface 52 (or superior cover
surface) as referenced in FIG. 3; an inner spillage basin 53 as
illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1 and 3; and a continuous
circular inner lid edge or cover periphery 54 as illustrated and
referenced in FIGS. 1 and 3. The diameter from radially opposite
portions of cover periphery 54 (i.e. the inner lid diameter) is
lesser in magnitude than the inner rim diameter. Thus, coffee lid
portion 50 is movable or displaceable intermediate rim portion 11
and bottom portion 12 adjacent wall portion 13.
[0031] In other words, as coffee 70 or container contents are
removed from coffee container 10, the volume thereof decreases and
coffee lid portion 50, being in contact-cover with the coffee 70 or
container contents becomes otherwise displaced from its original
pre-content-removal state. Coffee lid portion 50 may thus be said
to travel, ride or float upon the coffee 70 or container contents.
From an inspection of FIG. 3, it will be seen that inferior lid
surface 51 specifically contacts and covers the coffee 70 or
container contents.
[0032] Inner spillage basin 53 is preferably formed at the superior
lid surface 52 radially inwardly adjacent to cover periphery 54 for
pooling spillage substantially as earlier specified. Notably,
superior lid surface 52 further preferably comprises inner lid
removal means for enabling a user to remove coffee lid portion 50
from contacting and covering the coffee 70 thus enabling coffee
removal from coffee container 10. It is contemplated that the lid
removal means may preferably be defined by an upwardly extending
knob or projection 55 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1 and
3. Projection 55 is preferably integrally formed to superior lid
surface 52 of coffee lid portion 50 as may be seen from a general
inspection of FIG. 3.
[0033] Coffee lid portion 50 may further preferably comprise coffee
or content removal means for enabling the user to more easily
remove coffee 70 or other container contents from coffee container
10. In this regard, it is contemplated that the coffee removal
means may be defined by a coffee scoop 57 or similar other content
removal tool as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1 and 3. It
will be seen from an inspection of the noted figures that coffee
scoop 57 or coffee removal means is cooperatively associated with
the lid removal means or projection 55. It is contemplated in this
last regard, that the lid removal means are designed to position
coffee scoop 57 when not removing coffee 70 from coffee container
10. In other words, the lid removal means may comprise means for
selectively retaining the coffee removal means.
[0034] For example, if coffee lid portion 50 were injection molded
as a single unit (container lid portion 30 and coffee lid portion
50 each being preferably constructed from injection molded
plastic), it is contemplated that the coffee removal means could
also be injection molded and integrally formed to projection 55 at
a breakaway or cutaway tab 58 as illustrated and referenced in FIG.
3. FIG. 3 comprises reference numeral 57(a), which numeral
otherwise references coffee scoop 57 in broken lines as having been
broken away from tab 58. Further, it is contemplated that coffee
scoop 57 could be structurally outfitted with projection-receiving
means for locating coffee scoop adjacent projection 55 when coffee
scoop 57 is not being utilized for coffee removal.
[0035] Coffee lid portion 50 further preferably comprises an air
gap structure 56 as generally depicted in FIG. 3. Air gap structure
56 is spatially located radially outwardly adjacent to inner
spillage basin 53 adjacent inferior lid surface 51. In other words,
if an otherwise planar coffee lid portion is altered to include
inner spillage basin 53, a depression is formed for pooling
spillage (as earlier specified). Inferior lid surface 51
contact-covers the coffee 70 or other container contents and air
gap structure 56 is formed in superior adjacency to the coffee 70
or other container contents. Air gap structure 56 functions to
remove or eliminate or weaken a vacuum-type seal otherwise present
if a planar coffee lid portion were to be exchanged with coffee lid
portion 50. In other words, without air gap structure 56, the
coffee lid portion 50 is more difficult (i.e. requires more force)
to remove. The gap intermediate cover periphery 54 and wall portion
13 functions to allow air to pass intermediate cover periphery 54
and wall portion 13 to further enable the user to more easily (i.e.
less forcefully) remove coffee lid portion 50 from contact-cover of
the coffee 70 or other container contents.
[0036] It is further contemplated that the present invention
teaches a container kit for outfitting an otherwise
difficult-to-grasp container, the container (e.g. coffee container
10) essentially comprising rim portion 11, bottom portion 12, and
wall portion 13. Rim portion 11 essentially comprises inner rim
surface 18 and outer rim surface 19. The container kit comprises a
container lid (for example, container lid portion 30) for removably
covering the container, the container lid comprising an inferior
lid portion (for example, inner lid portion 31), a superior lid
portion (for example, outer lid portion 32), at least one
rim-locking portion 33, and at least one hand-grippable flange 34.
The rim-locking portion 33 is preferably inwardly adjacent to the
hand-grippable flange 34. Hand grippable flange 34 enables the user
to provide a bending moment and flex portion 38 enables lock tabs
39 and 40 to release rim portion 11 thereby facilitating removal of
the container lid or container lid portion 30 from the container or
coffee container 10. In this last regard, it will be recalled that
rim-locking portion 33 is designed for removably locking the
container lid to rim portion 11 and hand-grippable flange 34 is
designed for enhancing a user's ability to manually grasp the
otherwise difficult-to-grasp container.
[0037] Rim-locking portion 33 preferably comprises inner rim flange
36, outer rim flange 37, and flex portion 38. Inner rim flange 36
comprises outwardly extending lock tab 39 and outer rim flange 37
comprises inwardly extending lock tab 40. Flex portion 38 is
spatially located in superior adjacency to the superior rim end of
rim portion 11, inner rim flange 36 extending perpendicular to the
inferior lid surface or inner lid portion 31. The outwardly
extending lock tab 39 engages an inferior rim end of rim portion 11
adjacent inner rim surface 18. The outer rim flange 37 extends
perpendicular to the inferior lid surface or inner lid portion 31
and the inwardly extending lock tab 40 is designed for engaging the
inferior rim end adjacent outer rim surface 19. Again, flex portion
38 enables the user to disengage lock tabs 39 and 40 from the
inferior rim end for removing the container lid from the
container.
[0038] While the above description contains much specificity, this
specificity should not be construed as limitations on the scope of
the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention.
For example, as is described hereinabove the present invention
contemplates a container assembly for enabling a user to manually
grasp a container containing contact-covered container contents,
the container assembly comprising, in combination, a container, a
container lid, and a content cover. The container comprises a rim
portion, a bottom portion, and a wall portion. The wall portion
extends intermediate the rim portion and the bottom portion and
itself comprising an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface.
The rim portion comprises a superior rim end, an inferior rim end,
an inner rim surface, and an outer rim surface.
[0039] The container lid is removably attachable to the container
for selectively covering the contact-covered container contents
(for example, coffee). The container lid comprises an inner lid
portion, an outer lid portion, at least one rim-locking portion,
and at least one hand-grippable flange. In this regard, it is
contemplated that the preferred embodiment incorporates two
radially opposite flanges. However, it is conceivable that a single
continuous peripheral flange could enable the user to grasp the
container no matter how the container is positioned in its storage
location. In this event, it is further contemplated that the
rim-locking portion would be structurally located inwardly adjacent
to the hand-grippable flange and thus also be a continuous
peripheral rim-locking portion for removably locking the container
lid to the rim portion.
[0040] The content cover is designed for contact-covering the
container contents, such as coffee and comprises an inferior cover
surface, a superior cover surface, and an inner cover periphery.
The inner cover periphery is movable or displaceable intermediate
the rim portion and bottom portion adjacent the wall portion. The
superior cover surface may comprise cover removal means, such as
projection 55 or a finger- or digit-receiving aperture (not
specifically illustrated). In any event, the cover removal means
are designed for enabling a user to remove the content cover from
contact-covering the container contents for further enabling
container contents removal from the container.
[0041] The content cover may further comprise content removal means
for enabling the user to remove container contents from the
container. The content removal means may be defined by a content
removal tool (for example, a scoop) cooperatively associated with
the cover removal means, the cover removal means for positioning
the content removal tool when not removing container contents from
the container.
[0042] Accordingly, although the invention has been described by
reference to a preferred embodiment and at least one alternative
embodiment, it is not intended that the novel assembly be limited
thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included
as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing
disclosure, the following claims and the appended drawings.
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