U.S. patent application number 12/910916 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-26 for corn holder storage system.
Invention is credited to Evan Abel, Anthony Di Bitonto, Hideaki Matsui, Nicholas Oxley.
Application Number | 20120097575 12/910916 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45972053 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120097575 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abel; Evan ; et al. |
April 26, 2012 |
CORN HOLDER STORAGE SYSTEM
Abstract
A corn holder storage unit for retaining one or more corn
holders in a safe, sanitary, and convenient manner is disclosed.
One or more members defining a cavity and having at least one
opening is adapted to accept and retain one or more corn holders,
and preferably each member is adapted to retain a pair of corn
holders along the member axis. Where the corn holder storage unit
is configured to retain a pair of corn holders, the distance
between opposing ends of the member should be at least two times
the length of the corn holder operative end. Preferably a
peripheral structure encloses the one or more members, and
cooperation between the member and the peripheral structure
prevents the holder from passing through the cavity and from being
dislodged from the corn holder storage unit by providing an
abutment rim and a variety of retaining fits. In an embodiment, a
corn holder storage system is provided, wherein a plurality of
tubes is enclosed by a peripheral structure, each of the tubes
having two opposing open ends for retaining a plurality of corn
holders and concealing the corn holder operative ends.
Inventors: |
Abel; Evan; (Rockaway Park,
NY) ; Di Bitonto; Anthony; (Brooklyn, NY) ;
Matsui; Hideaki; (New York, NY) ; Oxley;
Nicholas; (New York, NY) |
Family ID: |
45972053 |
Appl. No.: |
12/910916 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/576 ;
206/553; 294/5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/303
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/576 ; 294/5;
206/553 |
International
Class: |
B65D 71/00 20060101
B65D071/00; A47G 29/00 20060101 A47G029/00; A47G 21/00 20060101
A47G021/00 |
Claims
1. A corn holder storage unit, comprising: at least one tube having
a first end configured to receive an operative end of a first corn
holder and to retainably engage a grasping end of the first corn
holder.
2. The corn holder storage unit of claim 1, wherein the at least
one tube further comprises a second end configured to receive an
operative end of a second corn holder and to retainably engage a
grasping portion of the second corn holder.
3. The corn holder storage unit of claim 2, wherein the first end
and the second end are spaced apart from each other by a distance
sufficient to prevent the operative end of the first corn holder
from interfering with the operative end of the second corn holder
when the first and second corn holder are retainably engaged in the
corn holder storage unit.
4. The corn holder storage unit of claim 3, wherein the at least
one tube further comprises a central cross-member extending from an
inner surface of the at least one tube between the first and the
second end.
5. The corn holder storage unit of claim 4, further comprising a
first cylindrical wall extending from the central cross-member
toward the first end, the first cylindrical wall disposed to
receive the operative end of the first corn holder.
6. The corn holder storage unit of claim 5, further comprising a
second cylindrical wall extending from the central cross-member
toward the second end, the second cylindrical wall disposed to
receive the operative end of the second corn holder.
7. The corn holder storage unit of claim 4, wherein the central
cross-member constitutes a substantially planar rib bisecting the
at least one tube.
8. The corn holder storage unit of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of the tubes arranged in parallel for receiving a
plurality of the corn holders.
9. The corn holder storage unit of claim 8, wherein the tubes are
releasably coupled to each other.
10. The corn holder storage unit of claim 8, wherein axes of the
tubes are substantially parallel to each other and the tubes are
coupled to each other.
11. The corn holder storage unit of claim 1, further comprising a
peripheral structure enclosing the tubes.
12. The corn holder storage unit of claim 11, wherein an abutment
structure is disposed within the peripheral structure to abut the
operative end of the corn holder to maintain the corn holder's
position with respect to the first end and the peripheral
structure.
13. The corn holder storage unit of claim 11, wherein the abutment
structure is an abutment rim of the wall.
14. The corn holder storage unit of claim 1, wherein the at least
one tube is adapted to retain a pair of corn holders along an axis
of the at least one tube.
15. The corn holder storage unit of claim 1, wherein the at least
one tube is adapted to retain the corn holder by a snap fit.
16. The corn holder storage unit of claim 1, wherein the at least
one tube is adapted to frictionally retain the corn holder.
17. The corn holder storage unit of claim 1, wherein the at least
one tube is adapted to magnetically retain the corn holder.
18. The corn holder storage unit of claim 1, wherein the at least
one tube is adapted to threadably retain the corn holder.
19. The corn holder storage unit of claim 1, wherein the tubes are
releasably coupled to each other.
20. A corn holder storage system comprising: a corn holder
including a body having a grasping end and an operative end, a pin
extending from the operative end, and a screw structure extending
from the operative end; a corn holder storage unit including a
member defining a cavity and having an open end adapted to retain
the operative end of the corn holder.
21. The corn holder storage system of claim 20, wherein the member
includes two open ends adapted to simultaneously retain the
operative ends of a pair of opposing corn holders along a shared
axis.
22. The corn holder storage system of claim 20, wherein the member
comprises a central stabilizer disposed between the two open
ends.
23. The corn holder storage system of claim 20, wherein the unit
further comprises a peripheral structure enclosing the member.
24. The corn holder storage system of claim 23, wherein an abutment
structure is disposed within the peripheral structure to abut the
operative end to prevent the corn holder from passing through the
cavity.
25. The corn holder storage system of claim 23, wherein the member
is adapted to abut the operative end to prevent the corn holder
from passing through the cavity.
26. The corn holder storage system of claim 20, wherein the member
is adapted to retain the corn holder by a snap fit
27. The corn holder storage system of claim 20, wherein the member
is adapted to frictionally retain the corn holder.
28. The corn holder storage system of claim 20, wherein the member
is adapted to magnetically retain the corn holder.
29. The corn holder storage system of claim 20, wherein the member
is adapted to threadably retain the corn holder.
30. The corn holder storage system of claim 20, wherein more than
one member is coupled adjacent to each other.
31. The corn holder storage system of claim 30, wherein the members
are releasably coupled.
32. A combination corn holder and corn holder storage unit
comprising: a plurality of corn holders, each corn holder
comprising a body having a grasping end and an operative end, a pin
extending from the operative end, and a helical screw extending
from the operative end; a corn holder storage unit comprising a
plurality of members, each member defining a cavity and having a
first end, a second end, and an axis, wherein the first end is open
and adapted to conceal the operative end of a corn holder along the
axis and the second end is open and adapted to conceal the
operative end of a corn holder along the axis.
33. The combination of claim 32, wherein the plurality of members
each further comprise a stabilizing structure within the cavity
between the first end and the second end.
34. The combination of claim 32, wherein the unit further comprises
a peripheral structure enclosing the plurality of members.
35. The combination of claim 34, wherein the plurality of members
are disposed within the peripheral structure to abut the operative
ends of the plurality of corn holders.
36. The combination of claim 32, wherein the plurality of members
are adapted to retain the plurality of corn holders by a snap
fit.
37. The combination of claim 32, wherein the plurality of members
are adapted to frictionally retain the plurality of corn
holders.
38. The combination of claim 32, wherein the plurality of members
are adapted to magnetically retain the plurality of corn
holders.
39. The combination of claim 32, wherein the plurality of members
are adapted to threadably retain the plurality of corn holders.
40. A corn holder storage system comprising: a plurality of corn
holders, each corn holder including a body having a bulbous
grasping end, a base, and an operative end, a pin and a helical
screw extending from the operative end; a corn holder storage unit
including four tubes enclosed by a peripheral structure having a
plurality of retaining protrusions formed thereon, each tube having
opposing open ends, each open end terminating in an abutment rim,
an axis, and a centralized stabilizing structure disposed on an
inner surface, the tubes being coupled and adjacent to each other;
wherein each of the tubes is adapted to accept the operative ends
of opposing corn holders along the axis and simultaneously retain
each base of opposing corn holders between the abutment rim and the
plurality of retaining protrusions, the centralized stabilizing
structure adapted to accept each operative end.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a corn holder storage
system. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a corn
holder storage unit which retains the operative ends of corn
holders to prevent accidental contact with or premature wear of the
prongs and provides a system for keeping corn holders together when
stored in utensil drawers, dishwashers, and other locations in
which corn holders may be customarily placed and misplaced.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Corn holders are common kitchen utensils to aid the user in
grasping and manipulating foodstuffs with ease and in a sanitary
manner. Corn holders are frequently stored loose in utensil
drawers, risking both the seeker's safety and patience. In
particular, corn holders are designed with sharp ends of sufficient
length to spear and maintain the hold of a corncob. Such ends pose
a significant risk to the fingers of unsuspecting persons seeking
either the corn holder or an unrelated utensil in a utensil drawer
or dishwasher basket. Given the generally diminutive nature of corn
holders, unpaired corn holders can take minutes of digging through
an otherwise crowded utensil drawer until an appropriate pair can
be found. Even further, the points of corn holders can become worn
and dull from repeated contact with other utensils.
[0003] Existing corn holder management units include corn holders
capable of receiving the pins of an opposing holder. Such holder
designs are, however, unsanitary as small bits of food can become
trapped within the pin receiving bores, and are nearly impossible
to dislodge. Additionally, self-storage corn holder designs do not
accommodate various designs of holder prongs. For example, in the
existing self-storing corn holders, the opposing corn holder must
have prongs spaced and sized precisely to fit into the prong bores
of the opposing holder. Additionally, existing corn holder storage
systems cannot accommodate updated corn holder designs, such as
those having a pin and helical screw for better connection with the
cob.
[0004] Accordingly, a manner for retaining the sharp ends of a
variety of designs of corn holders such that the corn holders are
stored in pairs to prevent injury in a manner easy to use,
manufacture, and maintain in a sanitary condition, is
necessary.
[0005] The present invention is intended to address these and other
possible problems associated with existing corn holder storage
units.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] There is disclosed herein an improved corn holder storage
unit which avoids the disadvantages of prior units while affording
additional structural and operating advantages. An embodiment of
the present invention includes a corn holder storage unit including
at least one tube having a first end configured to receive an
operative end of a corn holder. The first end further retainably
engages a grasping end of the first corn holder. The at least one
tube may further include a second end for receiving an operative
end of a second corn holder and to retainably engage a grasping
portion of the second corn holder. In an embodiment, the corn
holder storage unit is constructed such that the distance between
the first end and second end is sufficient to prevent the operative
end of the first corn holder from interfering with the operative
end of the second corn holder when the first and second corn holder
are retainably engaged in the corn holder storage unit.
[0007] Even further, a plurality of tubes may be provided and
arranged in parallel for receiving a plurality of the corn holders.
The tubes may be releasably coupled to each other, and in an
embodiment the axes of the tubes are substantially parallel to each
other when the tubes are coupled to each other. An additional
aspect of an embodiment may include a peripheral structure
enclosing the tubes, and an abutment structure may be provided
within the peripheral structure to abut the operative end of the
corn holder to maintain the corn holder's position with respect to
the first end and the peripheral structure. In an embodiment, the
abutment structure is an abutment rim of the wall. Additionally, in
an embodiment, the at least one tube is adapted to retain a pair of
corn holders along an axis of the at least one tube.
[0008] A further embodiment provides for a corn holder storage unit
consists of a plurality of tubes, each of the tubes including a
wall, a first end, a second end, and an axis, the first end being
open to retain an operative end of the corn holder. When coupled to
each other, the axes of the tubes are substantially parallel to
each other. It is an aspect of at least one embodiment of the
presently disclosed unit that both the first end and the second end
are open such that the tube may retain a pair of holders along the
axis. Another aspect of an embodiment includes a peripheral
structure to enclose one or more tubes. An embodiment of the unit
includes an abutment structure disposed within the peripheral
structure to abut an operative end of the corn holder.
[0009] An alternate embodiment discloses a corn holder storage
system in which one or more member defines a cavity for retaining
the operative end of a holder in an open end of the member. In an
embodiment, the operative ends of two opposing holders are retained
by the member along a shared axis. An aspect of an embodiment of
this system adapts the member to abut the operative end of the corn
holder to prevent the corn holder from passing through the cavity.
Yet another embodiment disclosed is a combination corn holder and
corn holder storage unit consisting of a plurality of corn holders
and a unit comprising a plurality of members, each member having
two open ends adapted to conceal the operative end of a pair of
corn holders. According to additional aspects of these embodiments,
the members may be adapted to retain the holders by various
member/holder retention constructions, including a snap fit,
friction fit, magnetic retention, and threaded fit, by example.
Additionally, aspects of these embodiments further include a
central cross-member extending from the inner surface of at least
one tube or member between the first and second end. The central
cross-member may be constructed with opposing cylindrical walls
extending toward each of the first and second end of the tube for
receiving the operative ends of first and second corn holders.
These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more
readily from the following description and the appended
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the
subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of
which, when considered in connection with the following
description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its
construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be
readily understood and appreciated.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the presently
disclosed corn holder storage unit;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the corn
holder storage unit shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross section along the line X-X of the
embodiment of the corn holder storage unit shown in FIGS. 1 and
2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
presently disclosed corn holder storage system;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the corn
holder storage system shown in FIG. 4 having the corn holders
disengaged from the corn holder storage unit and depicting a snap
fit construction for retaining the corn holders;
[0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross section of the corn
holder storage system of FIG. 5 depicting the snap fit
construction;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the corn holder storage system depicting a friction fit
construction for retaining the corn holders;
[0018] FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial cross section of the
alternative embodiment of the corn holder storage system of FIG. 7
depicting the friction fit construction for retaining the corn
holders;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the corn holder storage system depicting a threaded fit
construction for retaining the corn holders;
[0020] FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial cross section of another
alternative embodiment of the corn holder storage system of FIG. 9
depicting the threaded fit construction for retaining the corn
holders;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the corn holder storage system depicting a magnetic fit
construction for retaining the corn holders;
[0022] FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial cross section of another
alternative embodiment of the corn holder storage system of FIG. 11
depicting the magnetic fit construction for retaining the corn
holders;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a side view of yet another alternative embodiment
of the corn holder storage unit, depicting a construction in which
multiple members may be coupled to other members;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a perspective partial cross section of an
additional alternative embodiment of the corn holder storage system
incorporating a central stabilizer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with
the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered
as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments
illustrated.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1-14, there are illustrated several views
and embodiments of a corn holder storage unit 30. Generally, the
corn holder storage unit 30 comprises one or more members 32 having
a wall 34 defining a cavity 36. A person having ordinary skill in
the art would understand that, while the members 32 may be tubes as
illustrated in the figures, the members 32 may be of any shape able
to accommodate a correspondingly shaped corn holder. For example,
the member 32 defining a cavity 36 could be in the shape of a
triangular prism to accommodate a corn holder having a triangular
base (not shown), a rectangular prism to accommodate a corn holder
having a square base (not shown), or any other shape capable of
accepting and retaining one or more corn holders, as will be
described. For purposes of simplicity, the terms "members" and
"tubes" are to be understood as describing the element
corresponding to reference number 32, but the members, as
described, need not be tubes.
[0027] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the wall 34 of the member
32 terminates at a first end 38 and an opposing second end 40,
either or both of which may be open to permit access to the cavity
36. While the terms "first end" and "second end" may be described
in various examples as being open, it is to be understood that the
terms need not relate to the member in any particular orientation.
In a preferred embodiment, both the first end 38 and the second end
40 are open to simultaneously accept and retain an opposing pair 13
of corn holders, as illustrated in FIG. 4. That a member 32 may
accept and retain a corn holder pair 13 is one of the many
advantages of the present corn holder storage unit 30 over existing
devices. Where the corn holder storage unit 30 is configured to
retain a pair 13 of corn holders, individually corresponding to
reference number 10, the member 32 may be of sufficient distance D
to prevent the operative end 18, and particularly the pin 20 and
screw structure 22, of the first corn holder 10 from interfering
with the operative end 18 of the second corn holder 10, as best
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6. In some instances, the distance D
must be at least two times the length L of the operative end 18, as
noted in FIG. 12.
[0028] One having ordinary skill in the art would understand,
however, that the distance D may be significantly greater than two
times the length L of the operative end 18. Additionally, where the
corn holder storage unit 30 is configured to accept only one corn
holder 10 with respect to each member 32, the distance D may be at
least the length L of the operative end 18, though the distance D
could be even shorter than the length L where contact with the
points of the pin 20 or screw structure 22 is not of concern. The
corn holder storage unit's 30 ability to maintain as many corn
holders 10 together as there are open ends multiplied by members 32
decreases the frequency of a user digging though a crowded utensil
drawer or dishwasher basket to obtain a pair or several pairs of
corn holders.
[0029] The member 32 further comprises an axis C, as best
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 9. When the corn holder storage unit 30
comprises a plurality of members 32, each member's axis C is
preferably parallel to each other member's axis C, so to facilitate
a compact design for the corn holder storage unit 30 while
accommodating several corn holder pairs 13. Accordingly, a corn
holder storage unit 30 having, for example, four members 32 may be
constructed such that each of the four members 32 is adjacent and
coupled to other members 32, each axis C of the members 32 being
parallel to each other axis C, and each of the first ends 38 and
second ends 40 being open. In such a construction, the corn holder
storage unit 30 is thereby configured to accept and retain up to
eight individual corn holders 10, such as the unit illustrated in
FIG. 4. Alternatively, the corn holder storage unit 30 may be
configured such that either the first end 38 or the second end 40
is open, thereby receiving corn holders 10 only on the open end, or
the members 32 may alternate in terms of the first end 38 or second
end 40 being open. Additionally, while multiple members 32 are
illustrated, it is to be understood that the corn holder storage
unit 30 may consist of an individual member 32 to retain one corn
holder pair 13 or an individual corn holder 10. Because the corn
holder storage unit 30 can be manufactured to accommodate a variety
of corn holder designs and sizes, the unit 30 may be sold to
consumers independent of the corn holders 10. Alternately, the corn
holder storage unit 30 may be sold as a system or combination with
the corn holders 10, as described below.
[0030] In an embodiment there is disclosed a corn holder storage
system, most clearly illustrated FIGS. 4 and 5. In this embodiment
the members 32, either individually or as coupled to constitute the
corn holder storage unit 30, are configured to accept, retain, and
conceal an operative end 18 of one or more corn holders 10.
Specifically with regard to the corn holder 10, as seen in FIGS. 4
and 5, an individual corn holder 10 may consist of a holder body 14
having a grasping end 16 and an operative end 18. More
particularly, the corn holder 10 may comprise a base 24 from which
a bulbous grasping end 16 extends in a first direction opposing an
operative 18 from which a traditional pin 20 extends. In an
embodiment, the operative end 18 additionally includes a screw
structure 22, particularly a helical screw 22, for maintaining a
more secure connection between the corn holder 10 and a corn cob
(not shown). It is this non-traditional corn holder design 10 that
highlights the ability of the presently disclosed corn holder
storage unit 30 to accommodate a variety of designs for operative
ends 18 of corn holders 10. While the corn holder storage unit 30
can accommodate such non-traditional designs 30, it can similarly
accommodate the more traditional parallel pin corn holders.
Further, while the corn holder storage unit 30 could be constructed
to accept the grasping end 16, it is preferable that the member 32
conceal the operative end 18 within the cavity 36 to avoid injury
to the user and damage to the pins 20 of the operative end 18 which
could otherwise result from being stored loose in a utensil
drawer.
[0031] In use, the combination of the one or more corn holders 10
with the corn holder storage unit 30 allows the user to keep
multiple holders 10 together in a single unit without requiring a
cumbersome device. Particularly, and as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and
5, the corn holders 10 are retained individually or in pairs 13
through the interaction between a peripheral structure 42 and the
individual members 32, the peripheral structure 42 adapted to
enclose the members 32. The peripheral structure 42 may extend the
distance D of the members 32, or the peripheral structure 42 may
extend beyond the distance D of the members, as illustrated in FIG.
3. In one embodiment, an abutment structure 44 may be disposed
within the peripheral structure 42 to abut an operative end 18 of
the corn holder 10 to maintain the position of the corn holder with
respect to the member 32 and the peripheral structure 42. In the
illustrated embodiment, the abutment structure 44 is specifically
an abutment rim 44 of the tube. 32. The abutment rim 44 may be on
either or both the first end 38 and the second end 40.
[0032] In coordination with the peripheral structure 42, the open
end of the member 32 may be adapted to accept the operative end 18
a holder 10 where the pin 20 and screw structure 22 is received
within the cavity 36 and concealed by the wall 34, but the grasping
end 16 is prevented from passing through the cavity 36 through
contact between the abutment rim 44 and the corn holder base 24.
More generally, the abutment structure may be a separate structure
from the member 32, such as an annular ring, protrusion, or other
structure known to persons having ordinary skill to be capable of
preventing the corn holder 10 from passing through the cavity 36
when disposed within the peripheral structure 42, as illustrated in
FIG. 4.
[0033] The corn holder 10 is prevented from becoming dislodged from
the member through a variety of constructions. In an embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 and 14, there is a plurality of retaining
protrusions 46 formed within the peripheral structure 42 to
facilitate a snap fit with the corn holder base 24. The retaining
protrusions 46 may be formed integrally with the peripheral
structure 42 or may be affixed to the peripheral structure 42
through mechanical or adhesive means. Alternatively, as illustrated
in FIGS. 7 and 8, the member 32 may be adapted to frictionally
retain the corn holder 10. A friction fit of the corn holder 10 by
the member 32 may be facilitated by constructing the system such
that there is very little clearance between the member 32 and the
corn holder operative end 18 or between the peripheral structure 42
and the corn holder base 24. The friction fit may additionally be
accomplished through application of a substance such as flexible
thermoplastic rubber to the inner surface of the peripheral
structure 42. Other manners of providing friction fits are
considered, including constructing the peripheral structure 42 of a
semi-rigid material such that the material may slightly flare when
the base 24 is inserted into the corn holder storage unit 30. Other
friction fit mechanisms can be understood by those having ordinary
skill in the art.
[0034] Even further, the corn holder storage system may include a
unit 30 that magnetically retains the corn holders 10 as
illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. This retention may be facilitated
by providing a retaining magnet 48 in at least a portion of the
peripheral structure 42, the member 32, or the corn holder 10.
Similarly, a magnetic material 26 or opposing magnet may be
embedded in or affixed to a portion of the peripheral structure 42,
the member 32, or the corn holder 10. Even further, the retaining
magnet 48 embedded in the peripheral structure 42 or the member 32
may be attracted to the pin 20 or screw structure 22 of the corn
holder operative end 18. Alternately, the corn holder storage unit
30 may threadably retain the corn holder. As illustrated in FIGS. 9
and 10, the peripheral structure 42 comprises a threaded receiving
portion 50 and the corn holder base 24 is constructed with an
accommodating threaded structure 27, as is understood by persons
having ordinary skill in the art. Other mechanisms for retaining
the corn holders 10 with respect to the peripheral structure 42
and/or the member 32 are obvious to persons having ordinary
skill.
[0035] Alternate embodiments of the corn holder storage unit 30 are
encompassed in the scope of the present disclosure. For example,
the members 32 may be releasably coupled to each other by means
known to persons having ordinary skill. One such construction, as
illustrated in FIG. 13, could include a protuberance 52 formed on
the surface on one member and a corresponding recess 54 on an
adjacent member, the protuberance 52 and recess 54 thereby
releasably coupling adjacent members.
[0036] Additionally, to further maintain the integrity of the unit
30 and the corn holder 10, and prevent contact by a user with the
pin 20, the unit 30 may further comprise a central cross-member or
central stabilizing structure 64, as illustrated in FIG. 14. The
central cross-member 64 may extend the inner surface 58 of the
member 32, the central cross-member 64 being disposed on the wall
34 in the member cavity 36 between the first end 38 and the second
end 40. One such construction disposes the cross-member 64 with
respect to the member 32 at a length L from the first end 38 and
the second end 40, to receive the operative end 18 of respective
corn holders 10. The cross-member 64 may approximately bisect the
member 32, but may additionally be placed at other points with
respect to the member 32, as dictated by whether the member 32 is
to accommodate one or two corn holders 10, whether the corn holders
10 are identical in shape and pin configuration, and other design
considerations. Further, the cross-member 64 may comprise first and
second cylindrical walls 60 extending from the cross-member towards
the first end 38 and the second end 40, respectively. Each of the
first and second cylindrical walls 60 may be adapted to receive the
operative ends 18, and specifically the pins 20, of the corn
holders 10. The first and/or second cylindrical walls 60 may
include internally beveled ends to guide and stabilize a corn
holder pin 20. The cross-member 64 may constitute a substantially
planar rib stabilizing the first and second cylindrical walls 60.
In combination, the first and second cylindrical walls 60 and the
cross-member 64 contribute to retention of the corn holders 10, may
accept a corn holder pair 13 along axis C, and decrease the
likelihood of warping of the member 32 or bending of the corn
holder operative end 18.
[0037] Another possible embodiment includes a corn holder storage
unit 30 having holes formed therein (not shown) to facilitate easy
cleaning of the unit 30. In this embodiment, the holes allow water
to pass through the members 32 of the unit 30 to remove food
particles so that the user can place the unit 30 in the dishwasher
without having to remove the corn holders. This design further
prevents injury to the user, retains all holders together, and
maintains the quality of the pins.
[0038] The corn holder storage unit 30 may be formed of a variety
of materials, including thermoplastic. The corn holder storage unit
30 is preferably injection molded, but may be formed through other
methods known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Similarly,
the members 32 and/or peripheral structure 42 may be rigid or
semi-rigid, or may even be collapsible, as dictated by
manufacturing and marketing constraints. The various components of
the corn holder storage unit 30 may be formed integrally with each
other, or may be formed as individual members and mechanically or
otherwise assembled.
[0039] The matter set forth in the foregoing description and
accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and
not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown
and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
broader aspects of applicant's contribution. The actual scope of
the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following
claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior
art.
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