LEAK-PROOF PORTABLE FOOD AND BEVERAGE STORAGE CONTAINER

Abstract

The present invention provides a leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) comprising a box body (200) defining a storage cavity, a lid (400), a ring (600), and a locking mechanism (800). The lid (400) has a groove (410) arranged along edges (420) of the lid (400) and the ring (600) is disposed within the groove (410). The locking mechanism (800) is operationally coupled to the box body (200) and includes a plurality of flaps (810) and a band (820). The plurality of flaps (810) are hingedly connected to the edges (420) and the band (820) is arranged around a rim of the box body (200). Further, the plurality of flaps (810) snap-fits with the band (820) such that the lid (400) is securely fixed to the box body (200) and the ring (600) creates an air-tight seal between the lid (400) and the box body (200).

Claims

1. A leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000), comprising: a box body (200) defining a storage cavity; a lid (400) having a groove (410) arranged along edges (420) of said lid (400); a ring (600) disposed within said groove (410) of said lid (400); and a locking mechanism (800) operationally coupled to said box body (200), said locking mechanism (800) having a plurality of flaps (810) hingedly connected to said edges (420) of said lid (400), and a band (820) arranged around a rim of said box body (200); wherein said plurality of flaps (810) snap-fits with said band (820) such that said lid (400) is securely fixed to said box body (200); wherein said ring (600) creates an air-tight seal between said lid (400) and said box body (200) upon engagement of said plurality of flaps (810) with said band (820).

2. The leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said groove (410) is arranged along said edges (420) of said lid (400) at an inner surface (430) of said lid (400).

3. The leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of flaps (810) is detachable.

4. The leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ring (600) is a silicone gasket.

5. The leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said band (820) and said plurality of flaps (810) are made up of a plastic material.

6. The leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said box body (200) and said lid (400) are made up of a metal or an alloy.

7. The leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said box body (200) and said lid (400) are made up of stainless steel.

8. The leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said edges (420) of said lid (400) are configured to be covered with a plastic material through injection molding.

9. The leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said box body (200) and said lid (400) are made up of stainless steel present in a range of 20% to 98% by weight and plastic material present in a range of 2% to 80% by weight.

10. The leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said box body (200) and said lid (400) are made up of stainless steel present in a range of 70% to 90% by weight and plastic material present in a range of 30% to 10% by weight.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed that the advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description of expressly disclosed exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings and detailed description which follow are intended to be merely illustrative of the expressly disclosed exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. In the drawings:

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a front planar view of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container wherein a back planar view is identical to the front planar view of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a left planar view of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container wherein a right planar view is identical to the left planar view of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a top planar view of the lid of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom planar view of the lid of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container with a locking mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container with detachable plurality of flaps in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Call Out List

[0028]

TABLE-US-00001 Leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container 200 Box body 400 Lid 410 groove 420 edges 430 inner surface 600 Ring 800 Locking mechanism 810 plurality of flaps 820 band

[0029] The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in the structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present invention is not limited to a particular leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container as shown and described herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0030] The use of terms including, comprising, or having and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

[0031] Further, the terms, an and a herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0032] Referring to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail. A leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000), as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a box body (200), a lid (400), a ring (600) and a locking mechanism (800). The leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) may be of various types including, but not limited to, nylon lunch boxes, stainless steel bento boxes, etc.

[0033] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the box body (200) defines a storage cavity for storing food items or beverages therein. The box body (200) is closed from bottom end and open from top end thus forming the storage cavity. The box body (200) is made up of a material selected from, but not limited to, a group consisting of metal, alloy or glass. Preferably, the box body (200) is made up of stainless steel.

[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a front planar view of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) wherein a back planar view is identical to the front planar view of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a left planar view of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) wherein a right planar view is identical to the left planar view of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate a top planar view and a bottom planar view of the lid (400), respectively. The lid (400) has a groove (410) which is arranged along edges (420) of the lid (400). In particular, the groove (410) is arranged along the edges (420) of the lid (400) at an inner surface (430) of the lid (400), as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Further, the lid (400) is made up of a metal or an alloy. Preferably, the lid (400) is made up of stainless steel.

[0036] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the edges (420) of the lid (400) are configured to be covered with a plastic material through injection molding process. In particular, the edges (420) of the lid (400) are covered with the plastic material such that the substantial or maximum portion of the lid (400) is still constituted by the metal or the alloy. This configuration of the lid (400) being minimally covered with the plastic material allows the minimum contact of the food items or beverages placed within the box body (200) with the plastic material of the lid (400).

[0037] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the box body (200) and the lid (400) are made up of stainless steel present in a range of 20% to 98% by weight and plastic material present in a range of 2% to 80% by weight. Preferably, the box body (200) and the lid (400) are made up of stainless steel present in a range of 70% to 90% by weight and plastic material present in a range of 30% to 10% by weight.

[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) which shows the overall structure of leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The ring (600) is disposed within the groove (410) of the lid (400), as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. In particular, the ring (600) is, but not limited to, a silicone gasket.

[0039] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism (800) is operationally coupled to the box body (200). The locking mechanism (800) has a plurality of flaps (810) and a band (820), as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Further, the enlarged view of the locking mechanism (800) is also shown in FIG. 7. The plurality of flaps (810) are hingedly connected to the edges (420) of the lid (400). Further, the band (820) is arranged around a rim of the box body (200). Furthermore, the plurality of flaps (810) and the band (820) are made up of a plastic material. Preferably, the band (820) is made up of polypropylene.

[0040] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of flaps (810) snap-fits on an outer circumference of the band (820) such that the lid (400) is securely fixed to the box body (200), as shown in FIG. 7. The plurality of flaps (810) creates equal compression force from the edges (420) of the lid for locking of the plurality of flaps (810) with the band (820). This equal compression force protects the lid (400) in such a manner that the lid (400) does not get loose even if the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) is dropped on floor. Upon the locking or engagement of the plurality of flaps (810) with the band (820), the ring (600) creates an air-tight seal between the lid (400) and the box body (200) thus, making the portable food and beverage storage container (1000) leak-proof. In particular, silicone and polypropylene materials used in the ring (600) and the band (820) show similar behavior during thermal cycle which results in minimum or no gaps between the lid (400) and the box body (200) upon locking and makes the portable food and beverage storage container (1000) leak-proof over multiple years.

[0041] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the engagement or locking of the lid (400) with the box body (200) through the locking or engagement of the plurality of flaps (810) with the band (820) ensures minimum contact of the food items or beverages placed within the box body (200) with the plastic material of the edges (420) of the lid (400) thereby, ensuring the quality and taste of the food items or beverages. Further, the air-tight seal formed between the lid (400) and the box body (200) prevents the leakage of the food items or beverages from the box body (200) and ensures that the food items or beverages are kept warm or hot for a long period of time depending on the type of food items or beverages placed inside the box body (200).

[0042] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of flaps (810) is detachable. In other words, each of the plurality of flaps (810) is configured to detach from the edges (420) of the lid (400), as shown in FIG. 8. In particular, the edges (420) of the lid (400) are configured to have hinges to which the plurality of flaps (810) may be coupled by way of, but not limited to, snap-fitting, as shown in the enlarged view G in FIG. 8.

[0043] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the lid (400) of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) may be provided without the plurality of flaps (810). Further, this lid (400) may be snap-fitted directly with the box body (200) of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000).

[0044] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container (1000) may be customized in terms of shape, design, size etc. as per a user's requirement or desire.

[0045] Apart from what is disclosed above, the present invention also includes some additional benefits and advantages. Few of the additional benefits are mentioned below: [0046] The present invention provides the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container with minimal plastic material which prevents deterioration of the quality or taste of the food items or beverages by maintaining minimum contact with the plastic material. [0047] The leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container also prevents leakage of the food items or beverages while at the same time maintaining the quality and taste of the food items or beverages. [0048] The leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container which requires the reduced amount of plastic material for manufacturing thus, reduces the disposal of plastic waste in the environment. [0049] The leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container involves detachable and replaceable plurality of flaps which results in long term usage of the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container even upon breakage of the plurality of flaps, thus resulting in a cost-efficient product. [0050] The leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container has aesthetic appearance and may be customized as per the user's need or desire. [0051] Further, the leak-proof portable food and beverage storage container is sturdy, shock proof, dent proof and possess strong locking feature, dishwasher safe, BPA (bisphenol A) free, heavy metals free, and phthalates free.

[0052] The foregoing descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions, substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.