Abstract
A storage device (organizer) with a unique flat top lifting handle and having separate storage regions designed to accommodate common sandwich ingredients. Having a flat surface lifting handle enables other items to be placed on that surface thus saving space. The preferred embodiment of the invention has a middle compartment to hold bottles with an end compartment on either end—the walls of which also provide support for the bottles. One of the end compartments has a lid to ensure proper humidified environment to keep greens fresh and the other can accommodate a knife and a tray for extra storage. The middle compartment also has a single removable socket to fit two pump bottles for condiments. The device is intended for everyday use in a refrigerator and for easy transfer to a cooler. However, being a storage device, its use is not limited to food products or inside a refrigerator and maybe used outside the refrigerator as well wherever space saving is desired.
Claims
1. A storage organizer wherein the organizer comprises: a carry handle with a first elongated end and a second elongated end, a bottom shelf configured to hold bottles, a first compartment that attaches the first elongated end of the carry handle at a topside of the storage organizer to a first end of the bottom shelf directly below the carry handle, and a second compartment that attaches the second elongated end of the carry handle at the topside of the organizer to a second end of the bottom shelf directly below the carry handle, thereby providing support for the bottles placed between the first and second compartments when being held, wherein; a) the carry handle has a flat surface on a top side that includes an enlarged middle portion configured to provide support for items placed on the carry handle; b) at least one of the first and second compartments has openings configured to let air in and is covered by a removable lid that can be opened and closed to maintain a humidified environment inside the at least one of the first and second compartments; c) a slot configured to carry a bread knife or a slicing knife is provided on board the storage organizer such that a sharp edge of the bread knife or the slicing knife is protected by the first and second compartments.
2. The storage organizer of claim 1, comprising; a storage tray with a hem disposed on an end of the storage tray, and the storage tray is configured to be removably attached to at least one of the first compartment or the second compartment.
3. The storage organizer of claim 1, comprising; a socket holder configured to hold pump bottles on the bottom shelf, wherein; the socket holder has snap clips that snap into a first set of slots on the bottom shelf when the pump bottles are in use, and the storage organizer having a second set of slots for storage of the socket holder on the storage organizer when the pump bottles are not in use.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The figures depicted show the overall design and appearance and are examples of various embodiments. Not every manufacturing detail maybe displayed here.
(2) FIG. 1 depicts an isometric view of the device showing its key elements and the various regions for storage.
(3) FIG. 2 shows a top view and an elevation that better illustrates the flat-top handle. It also shows the pump bottles in the preferred embodiment.
(4) FIG. 3 is a configuration that shows the lid in the open position along with the tray sitting at the bottom instead of being elevated. It also shows the location where the pump-bottle socket snaps into the base of the device.
(5) FIG. 4 depicts the preferred embodiment with the pump bottles in their sockets and the tray at the bottom along with the knife storage slot.
(6) FIG. 5 shows the alternate location for the Pump Bottle Socket (when pump bottles are not used)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(7) In the ensuing description of the invention, numerous details concerning the possible ways in which the device could be used are laid out with emphasis on storing sandwich ingredients. They are intended to provide a thorough understanding of its versatility and by no means limit the scope of the invention. It will be evident to one skilled in the art that the invention can be used in ways that do not include all of those details.
(8) The invention will now be described with reference to the appending figures. FIG. 1 shows the device with the following key elements—a frame comprising a flat top handle 1, a vertical post 2, storage compartments 3 and 5 at each end, storage region 4 at the bottom, and a removable tray 7 shown in its raised position. The frame could be molded from plastic such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or Polypropylene (PP) but not limited to those materials. Other possible materials could be wood, any polymer used for manufacturing common household goods, metal alloys, rigid foam or any such material that has equivalent strength. The frame members will need to have a solid core if made of wood or foam to provide the necessary strength. The top surface is supported by the vertical post 2 on one end and by the walls of storage compartment 5 on the other end. A single vertical post as shown and located towards the middle and on the inner wall of compartment 3 and not the outer wall permits easy access to items placed inside the compartment. It is to be noted that the vertical post also serves as part of the wall for compartment 3.
(9) FIG. 2 shows a top view and an elevation of the preferred embodiment with two pump bottles 16 added. The flat top profile of frame as shown in the top view is designed such that it functions as a carry handle for the device to be grabbed easily and yet offering a flat surface of sufficient area to support other objects placed on it while inside a refrigerator or a cooler and still providing easy access to the contents below. The handle profile shown has an enlarged area 12 in the center region which when combined with the elongated sections at each end provide a stable surface for placement of other food containers. It should be noted that this center region is designed to be large enough for support and yet made not too large such that it would restrict easy access to the bottles when reaching from above. The handle has chamfered bottom edges to facilitate access to the storage region 4. It should be understood that the product is not limited by the profile shown here and the elements described above dictate its form. The flat top handle that doubles as a storage surface for items to be placed on it remains a unique feature of the device. The pre-configured pump bottles are designed to remain below the plane of the flat top surface. One may place condiment bottles that are taller in the same space at the expense of losing some storage for items placed on the handle.
(10) Storage compartments 3 or 5 could be used for storing wrapped sliced meat or cheese, sweet pepper, a full tomato, onion, avocado and such. These compartments maybe formed by molded-in-plastic (of the same material as the frame) as in FIG. 1 or made of a different material than the frame and then secured with fasteners to the rest of the frame. Slots are provided for aeration and aesthetics and the design is not limited to those profiles and may appear without any cutouts as well. The elevated placement of the storage compartment 3 ensures that food placed in it—if they are not greens—do not get soggy from melted ice after long periods in the cooler when water collects at the bottom.
(11) FIG. 3 shows the storage compartment 5 (Herb Compartment) with its lid in the open position. Shown here is a hinged lid 6 with the pivoting axis at the bottom and with a hinge 13 on each side. The lid could be made to pivot at the top or the sides or even made to operate in a sliding or snap-on manner. The lid could be made of any suitable plastic that is clear, translucent, or solid in appearance. This compartment could be used for storing leafy vegetables such as all kinds of lettuce for sandwiches or for herbs such as basil or cilantro for quick access in a refrigerator. As commonly practiced, the vegetables need to be wrapped in wet paper towels to keep them fresh for the maximum amount of time. This device with its integrated Herb Compartment 5 offers both storage and easy access as well inside a refrigerator. The enclosed compartment greatly restricts air circulation around the leafy greens thus retaining the moisture for longer periods just as a crisper drawer functions in a refrigerator. Suitable openings to the compartment are provided for limited air circulation. The large radius provided on the inside edges of both storage compartments ensure easy retrieval of items. The lid has a slightly tapered profile on edge 17 to ensure easy slide fit into the underside of the flat top handle edge 18. The absence of any extra locking feature for the lid combined with the precise placement of its Center of Gravity ensuring it will fall freely towards the handle and not away when opened slightly and then released—remains a unique feature of this Herb Compartment. On the two sides of the lid, the extended sidewalls go over the storage compartment 5. The lid may also be configured with a snap fit arrangement with a latch and lock.
(12) Storage region 4 (see FIG. 3) also forms the base of the device and can be configured for use in more than one way. The side edges 8 are raised sufficiently to act as a ledge to keep items from falling off. FIG. 3 shows slots 9 that can be used to snap-fit a socket 15 meant for two pump bottles 16 as shown in FIG. 4. Ingredients such as mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, or oil could all be stored in pump bottles for easy dispensing directly on to bread. Largemouth pump bottles as shown are designed for easy filling of ingredients into the bottle. The pump bottle is held in place by the socket on one side, the ledge 8, and the wall of the end compartment 5. The same socket serves to keep both pump bottles in place. When the pump bottles are not used, the socket can remain on the device by snapping into slots 18 (see FIG. 5) that are away from the main storage area and this method of the socket to hold more than one bottle in place and to remain securely on the device away from its normal location when not used—is a unique feature of the device. The device may also have more than one socket to keep more such pump bottles in place.
(13) When pump bottles are not used, the entire region 4 (see FIG. 1) can be used to place any commercially available condiment bottles that are locked in by the end compartment walls on either end and by the ledge 8 on the sides. The region below the end compartments could be used for storage of ingredients used in small quantities such as spices.
(14) FIG. 4 shows the slot 21 used for storing a slicing knife or bread knife on board the device. The knife (not shown) could be inserted through the slot and the handle made to rest on the edge 22 of compartment 3. When inserted into the slot, only the handle portion of a slicing knife would be exposed inside compartment 3. The bottom of the slot 21 is located sufficiently low that the knife would rest at an angle with tip towards the bottom or the storage area 4 (see FIG. 3). Any sharp edge on the knife would further be shielded by the condiment bottles on the sides (not shown) and the inside wall of compartment 3. This is a safe way to store the knife with the sharp edge tucked in the middle region and not on the perimeter. FIG. 4 also shows the preferred embodiment with the pump bottles in place and the removable tray 7 shown here in the bottom position. The tray in the elevated position (shown in FIGS. 1 & 2) could be used for keeping partially cut pieces of tomato, onion, avocado etc. covered in plastic wrap. The extra storage below then could be used for small bottles of pesto or other such items. The tray configuration has a few unique features. The sheet metal version of the tray shown here has a raised rear edge with a hem that fits snugly into the top edge of storage compartment 3 (see FIG. 1). The frame post 2 locks it and keeps it from moving sideways. It is also designed with a slight angle (see FIG. 2 elevation) so that items placed on it will not fall off easily. In the event that for a period of time the user wants to discontinue the use of the tray for whatever reason, it can be lifted and placed at the base (see FIG. 3) thereby keeping it together with the device and not hindering the operation of the device in any manner. If the user prefers to use the entire base region 4 to store condiment bottles of different sizes only, then this arrangement of ‘tray at the bottom’ is desirable. This tray can also be of a different form (made of molded plastic with raised edges all around) with a similar but molded-in hook at the back to lock into the end compartment edge.
