U.S. patent application number 12/418566 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-17 for storage container with collapsible lid and utensil.
Invention is credited to Gareth Brown, Dean Chapman, Paul Goetz, Edward Kilduff.
Application Number | 20090308870 12/418566 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41413420 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090308870 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chapman; Dean ; et
al. |
December 17, 2009 |
Storage Container with Collapsible Lid and Utensil
Abstract
A storage container with collapsible lid and utensil. The
present invention consists of a base having a flexible and
collapsible silicone lid or hood. This hood or lid allows for easy
opening and closing without popping off or unscrewing. This hood or
lid also ensures that when closed the food inside is fully covered
from spills and splashes. Additionally as the flexible hood or lid
remains permanently attached to the base of the container, it
cannot be misplaced.
Inventors: |
Chapman; Dean; (Montclair,
NJ) ; Brown; Gareth; (Jersey City, NJ) ;
Kilduff; Edward; (New York, NY) ; Goetz; Paul;
(New York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WHITE-WELKER & WELKER, LLC
P.O. BOX 199
CLEAR SPRING
MD
21722-0199
US
|
Family ID: |
41413420 |
Appl. No.: |
12/418566 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61061638 |
Jun 15, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/212 ;
220/350; 220/735 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 43/281
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/212 ;
220/735; 220/350 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/12 20060101
B65D051/12; B65D 25/20 20060101 B65D025/20; B65D 25/48 20060101
B65D025/48 |
Claims
1. A storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and
non-collapsible states, said container comprising: (a) a container
body comprising a continuous side wall, a bottom panel enclosing
one end of said container body, said side wall and said bottom
panel together forming a container structure having one closed end
and one open end; (b) a lid for selectively converting said
container to a closed container; and (c) said lid comprising a
bottom wall, a top wall, and a planar opening; (d) closure means
where said top wall of the lid is inwardly foldable toward said
bottom wall, such that said container is collapsible in a direction
normal to said container body and said bottom panel closing the
planar opening while being substantially self-supporting while said
top wall is in its unfolded orientation; and (e) attachment means
for securing said lid to said open end of the container body.
2. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible states of claim 1 wherein the lid is attached
to the container body.
3. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible states of claim 2 wherein the lid is removably
attached to the container body.
4. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible states of claim 1 wherein said closure means is
activatable by an externally applied compressive force exerted in a
direction substantially parallel to said opening plane.
5. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible state of claim 1 wherein said container
structure has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape
6. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible state of claim 1 wherein said container
structure has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape
7. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible state of claim 1 further comprising: (f)
attachment means for securing a ladle to the container body.
8. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible state of claim 7 wherein the ladle: is shaped
with a concave top that forms a scooping area; the bottom of the
scoop forms a convex surface offset from the inner surface; along
the apex of the convex surface a recessed groove is molded into the
scoop; said recess thins the scoop material along the scoop's
center; inside the flexible scoop a piece of strong inflexible
material 30 shaped to support the rear half of the flexible scoop;
said support also flows into the handle and acts to connect the
handle and scoop forming a functioning tool said support is molded
so that inside the scoop its support extends to just short of the
recess in the flexible material; and closure means where when force
is applied to the front edge of the flexible scoop, said scoop is
pushed back toward the handle, the front half of the scoop will
deform and fold into the supported back half of the scoop while
being substantially self-supporting while said front half of the
scoop is in its unfolded orientation.
9. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible state of claim 8 wherein said scooping area of
the ladle is shaped such that there is a small pouring spout at
either side.
10. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible state of claim 1 further comprising: (g)
sealing means where an air tight seal between the edges of the top
wall and bottom wall of the collapsing lid edges of the top wall
and bottom wall are provided with means to ensure a sealed
intersection.
11. A storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and
non-collapsible states, said container comprising: (a) a container
body comprising a continuous side wall, a bottom panel enclosing
one end of said container body, said side wall and said bottom
panel together forming a container structure having one closed end
and one open end; (b) a lid for selectively converting said
container to a closed container; and (c) said lid comprising a
bottom wall, a top wall, and a planar opening; (d) said lid formed
as one piece with the container body; and (e) closure means where
said top wall of the lid is inwardly foldable toward said bottom
wall, such that said container is collapsible in a direction normal
to said container body and said bottom panel closing the planar
opening while being substantially self-supporting while said top
wall is in its unfolded orientation.
12. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible states of claim 11 wherein the lid is attached
to the container body.
13. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible states of claim 12 wherein the lid is removably
attached to the container body.
14. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible states of claim 11 wherein said closure means
is activatable by an externally applied compressive force exerted
in a direction substantially parallel to said opening plane.
15. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible state of claim 11 wherein said container
structure has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape
16. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible state of claim 11 wherein said container
structure has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape
17. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible state of claim 11 further comprising: (f)
attachment means for securing a ladle to the container body.
18. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible state of claim 17 wherein the ladle: is shaped
with a concave top that forms a scooping area; the bottom of the
scoop forms a convex surface offset from the inner surface; along
the apex of the convex surface a recessed groove is molded into the
scoop; said recess thins the scoop material along the scoop's
center; inside the flexible scoop a piece of strong inflexible
material 30 shaped to support the rear half of the flexible scoop;
said support also flows into the handle and acts to connect the
handle and scoop forming a functioning tool said support is molded
so that inside the scoop its support extends to just short of the
recess in the flexible material; and closure means where when force
is applied to the front edge of the flexible scoop, said scoop is
pushed back toward the handle, the front half of the scoop will
deform and fold into the supported back half of the scoop while
being substantially self-supporting while said front half of the
scoop is in its unfolded orientation.
19. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible state of claim 18 wherein said scooping area of
the ladle is shaped such that there is a small pouring spout at
either side.
20. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible
and non-collapsible state of claim 11 further comprising: (g)
sealing means where an air tight seal between the edges of the top
wall and bottom wall of the collapsing lid edges of the top wall
and bottom wall are provided with means to ensure a sealed
intersection.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/061,638, entitled "Folding Ladle
Utensil", filed on Jun. 15, 2008.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates generally to kitchen tools.
More specifically, the present invention relates to utensils for
storing cooking necessities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Most utensils for storing cooking necessities like sugar,
spices, sprinkles have some short coming when it comes to covering
the food inside when not immediately needed for cooking. These
utensils, often referred to as "Salt Pigs" are, for example, often
open mouthed without a cover making it possible to spill or splash
liquids into the opening and spoiling the contents. While some
models have a hood to prevent this type of mishap, none of the
existing salt pigs have the ability to completely cover their
contents.
[0006] The other types of containers such as spice jars and larger
storage canisters typically have a sealing covered lid that either
screws or pops onto the top of the container. This lid solves the
problem of covering and protecting the food inside, but it creates
a different problem. Now every time you want to use the food inside
the container you must remove the lid and keep track of it while
you use the food inside the container, so that the container can be
resealed after use. This creates a situation where the food stored
inside the container is not easily accessible and slows down the
cooking or preparation process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention addresses the shortcomings in the
prior art by having a flexible and collapsible silicone hood. This
hood allows for easy opening and closing without popping off or
unscrewing a lid. It also ensures that when closed the food inside
is fully covered from spills and splashes. Additionally as the
flexible hood remains permanently attached to the base of our
invention it cannot be misplaced. All of this combines to create a
food storage container that is both very accessible for use while
cooking but that also fully protects the food making it far
superior to the existing products.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and
form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention
and, together with the description, further serve to explain the
principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the
pertinent art to make and use the invention.
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the storage
container with collapsible lid and utensil where the lid is in an
uncollapsed, open position;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the storage
container with collapsible lid and utensil where the lid is in a
collapsed, closed position;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a side plan view of the storage container
with collapsible lid and utensil where the lid is in an
uncollapsed, open position;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a side plan view of the storage container
with collapsible lid and utensil where the lid is in a collapsed,
closed position;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of the storage
container with collapsible lid and utensil where the lid is in an
uncollapsed, open position;
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan view of the storage container
with collapsible lid and utensil where the lid is in an
uncollapsed, open position;
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom plan view of the storage
container with collapsible lid and utensil where the lid is in an
uncollapsed, open position;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a first orthogonal view of the utensil of the
present invention in a first position where the scoop is in an
extended position;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a second orthogonal view of the utensil of the
present invention in a first position where the scoop is in an
extended position;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a first perspective view of the utensil of the
present invention in a first position where the scoop is in an
extended position; and
[0019] FIG. 11 is a second perspective view of the utensil of the
present invention in a first position where the scoop is in an
extended position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] In the following detailed description of the invention of
exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent like elements),
which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of
illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention
may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical,
mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by
the appended claims.
[0021] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.
However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
structures and techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art
have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the
invention.
[0022] Referring to the figures, it is possible to see the various
major elements constituting the apparatus of the present invention.
The present invention is storage container 10 with collapsible lid
11 and utensil 12. The present invention consists of a base 13
having a flexible and collapsible silicone lid or hood 11. This
hood or lid 11 allows for easy opening and closing without popping
off or unscrewing. This hood or lid 11 also ensures that when
closed the food inside is fully covered from spills and splashes.
Additionally as the flexible hood or lid 11 remains permanently
attached to the base 13 of the container 10, it cannot be
misplaced.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the storage container 10 with a
collapsible lid 11 having collapsible and non-collapsible states is
comprised of a container body 13 consisting of a continuous side
wall 15, a bottom panel 14 enclosing one end of said container body
13, said side wall 15 and said bottom panel 14 together form a
container structure having one closed end and one open end. The
hood or lid 11 selectively converts said container from an open
container to a closed container. The hood or lid 11 is comprised of
a bottom wall 16, a top wall 17, and a planar opening 18. Closure
means are provided where said top wall 17 of the lid 11 is inwardly
foldable toward said bottom wall 16, such that said container 11 is
collapsible in a direction normal to said container body 13 and
said bottom panel 14 closing the planar opening 18 while being
substantially self-supporting while said top wall 17 is in its
unfolded orientation. An attachment means for securing said lid 11
to said open end of the container body 13 in a fixed and/or
removable manner is also taught where the device is created in two
or more pieces. In FIGS. 1-7, the present invention is shown in a
substantially circular cross-sectional shape, but it would be
obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to make the invention
with a container and/or lid of various shapes known in the
container industry, but not limited to those with substantially
rectangular cross-sectional shapes.
[0024] In another embodiment, the base 13, lid 11, or both is also
provided with an attachment means 19 for securing a ladle 20 to the
container body 13 or lid 11. The folding ladle's primary function
is similar to many other ladles found in the market today, it can
be used to scoop a standard size portion of liquid or powered
solids from one storage container to another. The flexible scoop
21, like the flexible and closable lid 11, allows the large
scooping scoop 21 of the ladle 20 to fold in half for more compact
storage. Once folded, the ladle 20 will hold this smaller position
indefinitely until it is snapped back to its open position. This is
achieved through the special shape of the ladle's scoop 21.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 8-11, the scoop 21 is shaped with a
concave top that forms a scooping area 22. This area 22 is shaped
such that there is a small pouring spout 23 and 24 at either side.
The bottom of the scoop 25 forms a convex surface offset from the
inner surface. Along the apex of the convex surface a recessed
groove 26 is molded into the scoop 21. This recess 26 thins the
scoop material along the scoop's center.
[0026] Inside the flexible scoop 21 a piece of strong inflexible
material 30 is shaped to support the rear half 27 of the flexible
scoop. This support 30 also flows into the handle 28 and acts to
connect the handle 28 and scoop 21 forming a functioning tool. The
support 30 is molded so that inside the scoop its support extends
to just short of the recess 26 in the flexible material.
[0027] Because of this support structure 30, when force is applied
to the front edge of the flexible scoop 20, pushing the scoop back
toward the handle 28, the front half of the scoop 31 will deform,
and fold into the supported back half 27. Once the front edge of
the scoop moves far enough past the center of the scoop (apex of
the concave surface) the recess 26 in its outside face folds over
and snaps the front half of the scoop 31 against, and inside the
back half 27. Because of the recess 26 shape the scoop will not
unfold until an opposite force is applied to move the front edge of
the scoop back to its open position. When snapped into the closed
position the size of the tool is greatly reduced in size and it
fits more easily into drawers for storage or when attached to the
storage container 10 of the present invention reduces the shelf
space or footprint of the combined device.
[0028] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention,
closure means to seal the contents inside and keep them fresh are
provided. In this embodiment the top wall 17 of the lid 11 is
inwardly foldable toward said bottom wall 16, such that said
container 11 is collapsible in a direction normal to said container
body 13 and said bottom panel 14 closing the planar opening 18
while being substantially self-supporting while said top wall 17 is
in its unfolded orientation as previously disclosed. Additionally,
to enable an air tight seal between the top and bottom flaps of the
collapsing lid the edges of the top and bottom flaps are provides
with means to ensure a sealed intersection. This sealed
intersection of the edges functions to seal the contents inside and
keep them fresh. Functionally, the sealing means could be similarly
to a ZIPLOCK bag, sealing the edges across the opening when the lid
is in the closed position.
[0029] Furthermore, other areas of art may benefit from this method
and adjustments to the design are anticipated. Thus, the scope of
the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their
legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
* * * * *