U.S. patent application number 14/560896 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-26 for container protector.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dennis L. Miller. Invention is credited to Dennis L. Miller.
Application Number | 20150083740 14/560896 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52117164 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150083740 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; Dennis L. |
March 26, 2015 |
Container Protector
Abstract
In one embodiment of a container protector the container
protector comprises two opposing side skirts, two opposing end
skirts, and a interior lip connected to both side skirts and end
skirts. The container protector may also include one or more handle
extension to facilitate use with a container having one or more
handles. The container protector is designed to sealing fit around
the top periphery of a container with the interior lip extending
upward to prevent material within the container from flowing
outward therefrom during transitions. Such transitions may be
caused by heating, transportation, or other disturbances. The
precise dimensions of the container protector will vary from one
embodiment to the next, and the container protector may take any
shape depending on the container for which it is designed.
Inventors: |
Miller; Dennis L.;
(Davenport, IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Miller; Dennis L. |
Davenport |
IA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52117164 |
Appl. No.: |
14/560896 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13743507 |
Jan 17, 2013 |
8925759 |
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14560896 |
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13113759 |
May 23, 2011 |
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13743507 |
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61347254 |
May 21, 2010 |
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61373713 |
Aug 13, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/756 ;
53/485 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 7/16 20130101; B65D
25/2805 20130101; A47J 47/19 20130101; A47J 47/14 20130101; A47J
36/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/756 ;
53/485 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/28 20060101
B65D025/28; B65B 7/16 20060101 B65B007/16 |
Claims
1. A method for preventing a material within a container from
exiting said container, said method comprising the steps of: a.
positioning a container protector on said container; and, b.
adjusting said container protector such that said container
protector creates a hermetic seal around the peripheral opening of
said container, wherein said container protector includes an
interior lip extending upward from said peripheral opening of said
container.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said container protector
further comprises: a. two opposing side skirts; b. two opposing end
skirts, wherein said opposing end skirts are positioned between and
affixed to said opposing side skirts such that said opposing end
skirts and said opposing side skirts substantially form a
rectangle; and, c. an interior lip, wherein said interior lip is
positioned around the interior periphery of said rectangle formed
by said opposing end skirts and said opposing side skirts.
3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said container protector
is further defined as being configured to have a bottom portion
affixed between said opposing side skirts and said opposing end
skirts.
4. The method according to claim 2 wherein said container protector
is further defined as being configured to be securedly engaged with
the periphery of a rectangular-shaped container having a side wall
length of thirteen inches and an end wall length of nine
inches.
5. The method according to claim 2 wherein said container protector
is further defined as being configured to be securedly engaged with
the periphery of a rectangular-shaped container having a side wall
length of eleven inches and an end wall length of seven inches.
6. The method according to claim 2 wherein said container protector
is further defined as having a side skirt that is between 0.25 and
2.5 inches in height.
7. The method according to claim 2 wherein said container protector
is further defined as being configured to be securedly engaged with
the periphery of a square-shaped container having a side wall
length of nine inches and an end wall length of nine inches.
8. The method according to claim 2 wherein said container protector
is further defined as being configured to be securedly engaged with
the periphery of a square-shaped container having a side wall
length of eight inches and an end wall length of eight inches.
9. The method according to claim 2 wherein said two opposing side
skirts further comprise a ridge extending along the length
thereof.
10. The method according to claim 2 wherein said container
protector is further defined as being configured with two handle
extensions, wherein each said handle extension is positioned in
either said end skirt.
11. A container protector comprising: a. a side skirt, wherein said
side skirt is substantially circular in shape; and b. an interior
lip, wherein said interior lip is positioned around the interior
periphery of said side skirt.
12. The container protector according to claim 11 wherein said
container protector is further defined as being configured to have
a bottom portion affixed to an edge of said side skirt to form a
vessel.
13. The container protector according to claim 11 wherein said
container protector is further defined as being configured to be
securedly engaged with the periphery of a circular container having
a diameter of eight inches.
14. The container protector according to claim 11 wherein said
container protector is further defined as being constructed of a
rubber silicone material.
15. The container protector according to claim 11 wherein said side
skirt further comprises a ridge formed therein.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority from and is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/743,507 filed
on Jan. 17, 2013, which application claimed priority from and was a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/113,759
filed on May 23, 2011, which application claimed priority from
provisional U.S. Pat. App. Nos. 61/347,254 filed on May 21, 2010
and 61/373,713 filed on Aug. 13, 2010, all of which are
incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to containers and lids
therefore, and more specifically, to the prevention of spills
during cooking or other transitions.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0003] No federal funds were used to develop or create the
invention disclosed and described in the patent application.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
[0004] Not Applicable
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] In order that the advantages of the invention will be
readily understood, a more particular description of the invention
briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding
that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the
invention and are not therefore to be considered limited of its
scope, the invention will be described and explained with
additional specificity and detail through the use of the
accompanying drawings.
[0006] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a first embodiment of
the container protector engaged with a container.
[0007] FIG. 1A provides a cross-sectional view of the first and
second embodiment of the container protector engaged with a
container adjacent a container end wall.
[0008] FIG. 1B provides a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of
the container protector having a ridge formed therein.
[0009] FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of a second embodiment of
the container protector engaged with a container.
[0010] FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a third embodiment of
the container protector engaged with a container.
[0011] FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of another embodiment of
the container protector.
[0012] FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of an illustrative
embodiment of the container protector system.
[0013] FIG. 6 provides a side view of the illustrative embodiment
of the container protector system.
[0014] FIG. 7 provides a cross-sectional view of the illustrative
embodiment of the container protector system.
[0015] FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of an illustrative
embodiment of a container protector that may be used with the
container protector system.
TABLE-US-00001 DETAILED DESCRIPTION - LISTING OF ELEMENTS ELEMENT
DESCRIPTION ELEMENT # Container protector 10 Container 20 Container
side wall 22 Side wall lip 22a Container end wall 24 Container
handle 24a Interior lip 30 Bottom surface 30b Main body 31 Groove
31b Side skirt 32 End skirt 34 Handle extension 34a Ridge 36
Container protector with bottom 40 Container Protector System 100
Container 120 Bottom portion 121 First side wall portion 122 Second
side wall portion 122a Container ridge 124
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Before the various embodiments of the present invention are
explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of construction and
the arrangements of components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being
carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
phraseology and terminology used herein with reference to device or
element orientation (such as, for example, terms like "front",
"back", "up", "down", "top", "bottom", and the like) are only used
to simplify description of the present invention, and do not alone
indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have
a particular orientation. In addition, terms such as "first",
"second", and "third" are used herein and in the appended claims
for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or
imply relative importance or significance. As used herein, the term
"rectangle" is meant to include any quadrilateral having four right
angles.
[0017] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views, FIG. 1 provide a perspective view of a first
embodiment of the container protector 10 engaged with a container
20. The embodiment of the container protector 10 shown in FIG. 1 is
configured to engage a container 20 that is rectangular in shape.
Such containers 20 typically include two opposing container side
walls 22 connected to two opposing container end walls 24 in one
integral structure. Container handles 24a may be fashioned in the
container end walls 24 to facilitate repositioning of the container
20 during use or otherwise moving the container 20.
[0018] The first embodiment of the container protector 10 includes
two opposing side skirts 32 configured to seal against the
container side walls 22. Two opposing end skirts 34 are configured
to seal against the container end walls 34. The side skirts 32 are
affixed to the end skirts 34 so that the shape of the container
protector 10 is substantially the same as the shape of the
container 20. Handle extensions 34a may be included in the end
skirts 34 to seal against the container handle 24a in containers 20
that are configured with container handles 24a. However, container
protectors 10 configured for use with containers 20 not having
container handles 24a may be constructed without handle extensions
34a.
[0019] It is contemplated that the container protector 10 will be
constructed of a pliable and/or semi-pliable material and
configured so that the container protector 10 stretches by a
certain amount when engaged with the container 20, thereby creating
a hermetic seal between the container 20 and the container
protector 10. That is, the elastic or semi-elastic nature of the
container protector 10 allows it to expand so that it is secured to
the container 20. Accordingly, in many applications the periphery
of the container protector 10 will be less than the periphery of
the container 20 for which it is designed. During use, attachment
of the container protector 10 to the container 20 will require the
user to stretch the container protector 10 over the container 20,
thereby ensuring the container protector 10 is adequately secured
to the container 20 and that an adequate seal is created between
the container protector 10 and container 20.
[0020] An interior lip 30 may be connected to both the opposing
side skirts 32 and the opposing end skirts 34. The interior lip 30
is configured to extend inward from the periphery of the container
20, which is best shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, which provide different
cross-sectional views of the container protector 10 engaged with a
container 20.
[0021] A cross-sectional view of a portion of the container
protector 10 and container 20 adjacent a container handle 24a and a
handle extension 34a is shown in FIG. 1A. A cross-sectional view of
a portion of the container protector 10 and container 20 along a
container side wall 22 and side skirt 32 is shown in FIG. 1B. As
shown in these various figures, the interior lip 30 extends upward
beyond the periphery of the container 20 and inward therefrom. This
extension of the interior lip 30 combined with the sealing
engagement between the end skirts 34 and container end walls 24,
the handle extensions 34a and container handles 24a, and the side
skirts 32 and container side walls 22 serves to functionally
increase the volume of the container 20. Accordingly, if material
is positioned in the container 20 and the container 20 is
subsequently heated, which may expand the material in the container
20, the container protector 10 may prevent the material from
flowing out of the container 20. One example of such a situation is
during cooking, especially baking scenarios. It is contemplated
that the first embodiment of the container protector 10 will be
sized to seal a nine-inch-by-thirteen-inch,
seven-inch-by-eleven-inch, or other rectangular-shaped container
20. The container 20 may or may not include container handles 24a,
and the container protector 10 may be formed accordingly (i.e.,
with or without handle extensions 34a).
[0022] A second embodiment of the container protector 10 is shown
in FIG. 2, wherein the container protector 10 is configured to seal
against a square-shaped container 20. The container protector 10 in
the second embodiment functions identically to that of the first
embodiment. However, in the second embodiment of the container
protector 10 the container protector 10 is sized to seal an
eight-inch-by-eight-inch, nine-inch-by-nine-inch, or other
square-shaped container 20. As with the first embodiment, in the
second embodiment the container 20 may or may not include container
handles 24a, and the container protector 10 may be formed
accordingly (i.e., with or without handle extensions 34a).
[0023] A third embodiment of the container protector 10 is shown in
FIG. 3, wherein the container protector 10 is configured to seal
against a circular-shaped container 20. The container protector 10
in the third embodiment functions identically to that of the first
and second embodiments. However, in the third embodiment of the
container protector 10 the container protector 10 is sized to seal
circular-shaped container 20. As with the first and second
embodiments, in the third embodiment the container 20 may or may
not include container handles 24a, and the container protector 10
may be formed accordingly (i.e., with or without handle extensions
34a).
[0024] A container protector with bottom 40 is shown in FIG. 4. The
container protector with bottom 40 functions identically to the
other embodiments of the container protector 10 disclosed herein.
However, the container protector with bottom 40 includes a bottom
portion 38 connecting the side skirts 32 and end skirts 34 so that
the container protector with bottom 40 forms a type of vessel with
substantially the same shape as the container 20 for which the
container protector 10 is designed. The bottom portion 38 may be
configured to either allow for or inhibit accumulation of baked-on
materials between the container protector with bottom 40 and the
container 20, thereby enhancing removal of food particles after
use.
[0025] As is apparent in light of the present disclosure, when the
container protector 10 is fully engaged with a container 20 for
which the container protector 10 was designed, a seal is formed
along the entire periphery of the container 20. This seal allows
the interior lip 30 of the container protector 10 to act as an
extension of the container 10, thereby effectively increasing the
volume of the container 20. Accordingly, if the material positioned
within the container 10 expands during cooking, baking, or during
any other transitory condition put upon the material and/or
container 20, the container protector 10 prevents the material from
exiting the container 20.
[0026] The optimal dimensions of the height of the side skirt 32,
and skirt 34, and interior lip 30 will depend on several factors,
including but not limited to the specific application for the
container protector 10 and the height of the container side and end
walls 22, 24. However, it is contemplated that for most
applications the height of the side skirt and end skirt 34 will be
between 0.25 and 2.5 inches, and the height of the interior lip 30
will be between 0.1 and 2.5 inches. The thickness of the interior
lip 30, side skirt 32, end skirt 34, and handle extension 34a will
vary from one embodiment of the container protector 10 to the next,
but for many applications a thickness between 0.1 and 0.7 inches
will suffice. The length of the side skirts 32 and end skirts will
vary depending on the size and configuration of the container 20
for which the container protector 10 is designed.
[0027] An illustrative embodiment of a container protector system
100 is shown in perspective in FIG. 5 and from a first side in FIG.
6. In this embodiment, the container protector system 100 may
generally comprise a container 120 and a container protector 10.
Although the container 120 pictured in this embodiment shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6-8 is circular in shape, the particular
shape/dimensions of the container protector system 100, container
120, and/or container protector 10 are in no way limiting to the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 5-8, the container protector system 100
may be configured to prevent and/or mitigate egress of contents
placed in a container 120 during cooking The embodiment of a
container 120 shown in FIGS. 5-7 may generally include a first side
wall portion 122 angled upward from a bottom portion 121. A second
side wall portion 122a may extend from the first side wall portion
122, as best shown in FIG. 7 (which provides a cross-sectional view
of the illustrative embodiment of a container protector system
100). A container ridge 124 may extend radially outward from the
second side wall portion 122a. In cooperation with the container
protector 10, the container ridge 124 may provide a barrier to
egress of contents positioned within the container 120, which
cooperation is described in detail below.
[0029] The embodiment of a container protector 10 shown in FIGS.
5-8 may include an interior lip 30 extending upward from a main
body 31, which is best shown in FIG. 7. The main body 31 may be
formed with a groove 31b therein. The groove 31b may interface the
container ridge 124 on both the upper and lower side thereof, as
clearly shown in FIG. 7. The interface between the container
protector 10 and the container 120 about the container ridge 124
and groove 31b, respectively, may allow the container protector
system 100 to prevent and/or mitigate egress of contents from the
container 120.
[0030] The various elements of the container protector 10 and/or
container protector system 100 may be integrally formed as one
unit, or the various elements may be separately formed and later
affixed to one another. The container protector 10 and/or container
protector system 100 may be formed of any material known to those
of ordinary skill in the art that is suitable for the application
for which the container protector 10 and/or container protector
system 100 is used. Such materials include but are not limited to
rubber, silicon, other polymers, or combinations thereof. It is
contemplated that for some applications the container protector may
be constructed of a silicone rubber material that is heat resistant
up to 480 F, but the temperature that the material of construction
will withstand in no way limits the scope of the container
protector 10 and/or container protector system 100. The silicon
rubber material is typically used in the construction of other
types of bakeware due to its superior durability.
[0031] Other methods of using the container protector 10 and/or
container protector system 100 and embodiments thereof will become
apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the present
disclosure. Accordingly, the methods and embodiments pictured and
described herein are for illustrative purposes only.
[0032] It should be noted that the container protector 10 and/or
container protector system 100 is not limited to the specific
embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended to apply
to all similar apparatuses and methods for preventing a material
positioned in a container from overflowing the container.
Modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will
occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit
and scope of the container protector 10 and/or container protector
system 100.
* * * * *