Flexible Foodstuff Container With Closure

Abstract

A sealable container comprising: a base having a geometric shape; sides extending from the base and defining a mouth opposite the base, wherein cross-sections of the sides parallel to the base have a geometric shape; and a seal of the mouth comprising: a first zipper member and a second zipper member, wherein when the seal is closed to seal the mouth the first and second zipper members engage each other to make the seal and when the seal is open the first and second zipper members disengage to break the seal, wherein the base, sides and seal comprise silicone, wherein the base and at least a portion of the sides adjacent the base are of sufficient thickness and rigidity for the container to freely stand vertically on its base with the mouth at the top, and wherein the seal and at least a portion of the sides defining the mouth are sufficiently flexible to allow the seal and side portion to be deformed between open and closed mouth configurations.

Claims

1. A sealable container comprising: a base having a geometric shape; sides extending from the base and defining a mouth opposite the base, wherein cross-sections of the sides parallel to the base have a geometric shape; and a seal of the mouth comprising: a first zipper member and a second zipper member, wherein when the seal is closed to seal the mouth the first and second zipper members engage each other to make the seal and when the seal is open the first and second zipper members disengage to break the seal, wherein the base, sides and seal comprise silicone, wherein the base and at least a portion of the sides adjacent the base are of sufficient thickness and rigidity for the container to freely stand vertically on its base with the mouth at the top, and wherein the seal and at least a portion of the sides defining the mouth are sufficiently flexible to allow the seal and side portion to be deformed between open and closed mouth configurations.

2. A sealable container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silicone comprises platinum silicon.

3. A sealable container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of the sides defining the mouth comprise a zipper slot, and the seal comprise first and second zipper members joined in the zipper slot.

4. A sealable container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal is joined to the sides defining the mouth by a joint selected from adhesive, glue, tape, weld and bond.

5. A sealable container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal and sides defining the mouth are separately molded and wherein the seal is joined to the sides defining the mouth by silicone.

6.

7. A sealable container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal is joined to the sides defining the mouth by separately molding the seal and the sides defining the mouth and placing the seal and sides in contact when the silicone is not fully crosslinked.

8. A sealable container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal is joined to the sides defining the mouth by overmolding the seal with liquid silicone being molded to form the sides.

9. A sealable container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first zipper member comprises two hook retainers projecting in opposite directions outwardly from a center, wherein the second zipper member comprises two hook retainers projecting in opposite directions inwardly toward a center, wherein the hook retainers of the first and second zipper members engage when the seal is closed and disengage when the seal is open.

10. A sealable container, as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the first and second zipper members comprises at least one support cantilever that supports a hook retainer of the other zipper member.

11. A sealable container, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first zipper member further comprises a first support cantilever positioned outside of the two hook retainers relative to the first zipper center and a second support cantilever positioned outside of the two hook retainers relative to the first zipper center and opposite the first support cantilever, wherein the second zipper member further comprises a support cantilever positioned between the two hook retainers at the second zipper center.

12. A sealable container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base has a circular geometric shape and wherein at least one cross-section parallel to the base of the sides has a substantially circular geometric shape and at least one cross-section parallel to the base of the sides has a substantially elliptical geometric shape.

13. A sealable container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base has a geometric shape comprising two straight sides and two semicircular sides, wherein at least one cross-section parallel to the base of the sides comprises two substantially straight sides and two substantially semi-circular sides.

14. A sealable container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base and sides have thicknesses greater than 0.5 mm.

15. A sealable container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base and sides have thicknesses between 0.7 mm and 1.3 mm.

16. A sealable container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of each of the first and second zipper members of the seal is less than 5.0 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] A more complete understanding of the present embodiments may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features.

[0012] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate perspective views of a short container in an open configuration.

[0013] FIGS. 1C, 1D and 1E show end, side and bottom views, respectively, of the short container of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[0014] FIGS. 1F and 1G illustrate perspective views of a short container in a closed configuration.

[0015] FIGS. 1H, 1I and 1J show end, side and bottom views, respectively, of the short container of FIGS. 1F and 1G.

[0016] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate perspective views of a tumbler in an open configuration.

[0017] FIGS. 2C, 2D and 2E show end, side and bottom views, respectively, of the tumbler of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0018] FIGS. 2F and 2G illustrate perspective views of a tumbler in a closed configuration.

[0019] FIGS. 2H, 2I and 2J show end, side and bottom views, respectively, of the tumbler of FIGS. 2F and 2G.

[0020] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate perspective views of a bowl in open and closed configurations, respectively.

[0021] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate perspective views of a tall container in open and closed configurations, respectively.

[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a tumbler in an open configuration.

[0023] FIGS. 6A and 6B show a cross-sectional end view of a portion of a tumbler, wherein enlarged views of the zipper members are shown in FIG. 6B.

[0024] FIG. 7A shows a zipper slot and a slot end in a side of a tumbler.

[0025] FIG. 7B shows a zipper member in the zipper slot and terminating at the slot end.

[0026] FIG. 7C shows a cross-sectional top view of a tumbler taken at the zipper members and zipper slot, wherein the zipper members terminate at a slot end.

[0027] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional top view of a tumbler taken at the zipper members and zipper slot, wherein the zipper members terminate in the slot tip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Preferred embodiments are best understood by reference to FIGS. 1-8 below in view of the following general discussion. The present disclosure may be more easily understood in the context of a high level description of certain embodiments.

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention provide a cup or a bowl that stands on its own and zips at the top like a re-sealable zipper storage bag. The cup or bowl may be made with silicone in one piece, be flexible, be food grade, and be dishwasher/microwave safe. The cup or bowl may be used as a dish/cup. The cup or bowl may be used as a storage container. In particular, the cup or bowl may be great for travel.

[0030] The material may be thicker at the base for stability. The top may be thinner and more flexible. The zipper may be a tongue and groove configuration wherein a male portion is mated with a female portion to make the seal. The zipper may be a dual zipper or triple zipper. A clasp may be assembled to the exterior of the zipper for sliding along the zipper to assist with the mouth and/or closing of the zipper.

[0031] In one embodiment, the zipper portion and the container portion may be molded as one unitary whole of the same material throughout. Alternatively, the zipper portion may be made from a harder durometer or different material inserted into the mold, so that it may be a dual-durometer or co-molded product.

[0032] In another embodiment, the zipper members may be separate pieces joined to a zipper slot of the container piece by glue, adhesive, tape, weld, bond, etc. Silicone adhesives are commercially available from LocTite, 3M and GE. Alternatively, because silicone bonds well to silicone, silicone may be used to join the zipper members to the container. According to one process, the zipper members and container may be made to adhere by placing them in contact when the silicone material is not fully crosslinked (cured) after being separately molded. In this case, it is preferable not to postbake the parts prior to performing the silicone adhesion step. Alternatively, the zipper members may first be separately molded and then placed inside the container mold so that when the container is molded, the zipper members become overmolded or encapsulated by the liquid silicone being injected in the mold to form the container, and thereby become joined to the container.

[0033] According to certain embodiments of the invention, one feature is to have a free standing container with a zipper seal of the mouth at the top, wherein the mouth remains open when unsealed. A benefit to users is that the mouth of the contain remains open in a free standing position, so users may pour or spoon contents into or out of the container without having to hold open the mouth of the container. To enable this feature, the container may be silicone molded in in an open position, so that the finished container naturally wants to assume an open position. The zipper members may be silicone molded in straight molds so that by themselves they naturally tend to assume straight positions. When the zipper members are then joined in the zipper slots of the container, the combination tends to cause the mouth of the container to naturally assume an open eye-shape when free-standing.

[0034] The figures show perspective, side and end views of separate cups, bowls or containers. Each cup, bowl or container is made of a flexible material that is sufficiently rigid in the base regions to stand on their own, but sufficiently flexible in the closure region to allow the mouths to transition between open and closed configurations.

[0035] FIGS. 1A-1J show perspective, side and end views of a short container. The short container 10 comprises a base 11 that is generally oval in shape. The short container 10 further comprises a mouth 12 at the top, wherein the mouth is generally circular when open and general linear when closed. The base 11 comprises a wall thickness and material composition that has sufficient stiffness or rigidity to resist deformation in response to applied forces. The mouth 12 comprises wall thicknesses and material compositions that are sufficiently flexible or pliable to allow the mouth 12 to be deformed between open and closed configurations. In one embodiment, the short container 10 may have wall thicknesses or rigidity that vary uniformly from the base 11 to the mouth 12, wherein the wall thicknesses are thicker or more rigid at the base 11 and thinner or less rigid at the mouth 12. The short container 10 may have a zipper slot 13 near the mouth 12 to seal the mouth in a closed configuration.

[0036] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the short container 10 in an open configuration wherein the view is looking down through the mouth into the interior of the short container 10. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the short container 10 in an open configuration wherein the view is looking up toward the base 11. FIG. 1C is an end view of the short container 10 in an open configuration, wherein the view from each end is identical. FIG. 1D is a side view of the short container 10 in an open configuration, wherein the views from both the front and back are identical. FIG. 1E is a bottom view of the short container 10 in an open configuration.

[0037] FIG. 1F is a perspective view of the short container 10 in a closed configuration wherein the view is looking down at the closed mouth 12 of the short container 10. FIG. 1G is a perspective view of the short container 10 in a closed configuration wherein the view is looking up toward the base 11. FIG. 1H is an end view of the short container 10 in a closed configuration, wherein the view from each end is identical. FIG. 1I is a side view of the short container 10 in a closed configuration, wherein the views from both the front and back are identical. FIG. 1J is a bottom view of the short container 10 in a closed configuration.

[0038] In alternative embodiments, the base 11 of the short container 10 may be any geometric shape, for example, square, rectangle, triangle, octagon, hexagon, oval, etc. Further, the mouth 12 may also be of any geometric shape. Still further, cross-sections of the short container 10 between the base 11 and the mouth 12 may be of any geometric shape. In some embodiments of the invention, the base 11, mouth 12, and cross-sections between the base 11 and mouth 12 all have the same geometric shape. In still other embodiments of the invention, the base 11, mouth 12, and cross-sections between the base 11 and mouth 12 have different geometric shapes.

[0039] FIGS. 2A-2J show perspective, side and end views of a tumbler. The tumbler 20 comprises a base 21 that is generally circular in shape. The tumbler 20 further comprises a mouth 22 at the top, wherein the mouth is generally circular when open and general linear when closed. The base 21 comprises a wall thickness and material composition that has sufficient stiffness or rigidity to resist deformation in response to applied forces. The mouth 22 comprises wall thicknesses and material compositions that are sufficiently flexible or pliable to allow the mouth 22 to be deformed between open and closed configurations. The tumbler 20 may have a zipper slot 23 near the mouth 22 to seal the mouth in a closed configuration. The tumbler 20 may have wall thicknesses and rigidity that vary uniformly from the base 21 to the mouth 22, wherein the wall thicknesses are thicker or more rigid at the base 21 and thinner or less rigid at the mouth 22.

[0040] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the tumbler 20 in an open configuration wherein the view is looking down through the mouth into the interior of the bowl 20. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the tumbler 20 in an open configuration wherein the view is looking up toward the base 21. FIG. 2C is an end view of the tumbler 20 in an open configuration, wherein the view from each end is identical. FIG. 2D is a side view of the tumbler 20 in an open configuration, wherein the views from both the front and back are identical. FIG. 2E is a bottom view of the tumbler 20 in an open configuration.

[0041] FIG. 2F is a perspective view of the tumbler 20 in a closed configuration wherein the view is looking down at the closed mouth 22 of the tumbler 20. FIG. 2G is a perspective view of the tumbler 20 in a closed configuration wherein the view is looking up toward the base 21. FIG. 2H is an end view of the tumbler 20 in a closed configuration, wherein the view from each end is identical. FIG. 2I is a side view of the tumbler 20 in a closed configuration, wherein the views from both the front and back are identical. FIG. 2J is a bottom view of the tumbler 20 in a closed configuration.

[0042] In alternative embodiments, the base 21 of the tumbler 20 may be any geometric shape, for example, square, rectangle, triangle, octagon, hexagon, oval, etc. Further, the mouth 22 may also be of any geometric shape. Still further, cross-sections of the tumbler 20 between the base 21 and the mouth 22 may be of any geometric shape. In some embodiments of the invention, the base 21, mouth 22, and cross-sections between the base 21 and mouth 22 all have the same geometric shape. In still other embodiments of the invention, the base 21, mouth 22, and cross-sections between the base 21 and mouth 22 have different geometric shapes.

[0043] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the bowl 30 in an open configuration wherein the view is looking down through the mouth 32 into the interior of the bowl 30. A zipper slot 33 is just inside the mouth 32. The bowl 30 stands vertically upright on a base 31. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the bowl 30 in a closed configuration wherein the view is looking down at the closed mouth 32 of the bowl 30.

[0044] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a tall container 40 in an open configuration wherein the view is looking down through the mouth 42 into the interior of the tall container 40. The tall container 40 stands vertically on its base 41 with the mouth 42 at the top. A zipper slot 43 is just inside the mouth 42. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the tall container 40 in a closed configuration wherein the view is looking down at the closed mouth 42 of the tall container 40.

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a tumbler 50. The tumbler 50 comprises a base 51 that is circular in shape. The tumbler 50 further comprises a mouth 52 at the top, wherein the mouth 52 is generally circular when open and generally linear when closed. The tumbler 50 further comprises a rim 54 between the base 51 and the mouth 52. The tumbler 50 comprises a lower wall 55 between the base 51 and the rim 54 having a thickness and material composition that has sufficient stiffness or rigidity to resist deformation in response to applied forces, so that the tumbler 50 may freely stand vertically on its base 51. Further, the tumbler 50 has an upper wall 56 between the base 51 and the rim 54 having a wall thickness and material composition sufficiently flexible or pliable to allow the mouth 52 to be deformed between open and closed configurations. In one embodiment, the circumference of the upper wall 56 above the rim 54 may be larger than the circumference of the lower wall 55 below the rim 54, so that the upper wall 56 may be rolled or folded down over the exterior of the lower wall 55 below the rim 54. In a rolled or folded down configuration, the bowl 50 may more fully function as a traditional bowl. To seal the bowl 50, the upper wall 56 may be unrolled or unfolded to an extended position, as shown in FIG. 5, and a zipper in the zipper slot 53 may be zipped to form a seal. Embodiments of a container, cup or bowl may be similar to the tumbler 50 shown in FIG. 5.

[0046] Some embodiments of the invention, made of silicone, have base and sidewall thicknesses greater than 0.5 mm. Other embodiments of the invention, made of silicone, have base and sidewall thicknesses between about 0.7 mm and about 1.3 mm. Still further embodiments of the invention, made of silicone, have base and sidewall thicknesses of about 1.0 mm.

[0047] The tumblers, cups or bowls may be made of silicone material that is either transparent or opaque and made to be any color. The silicone may be of a quality and composition appropriate for applications in contact with foodstuffs. In particular, methyl-vinyl-polsiloxane obtained by a process of cross-linking with platinum may be an appropriate silicone. Numeric markers may be added to indicate volumetric measurements within the cups, bowls or tumblers.

[0048] FIG. 6A shows a cross-sectional end view of an upper portion of a tumbler 60. An outward hook zipper member 64 is in the left zipper slot 63. An inward hook zipper member 67 is in the right zipper slot 63. The inward and outward hook zipper members 64 and 67 may be secured in the zipper slot 63 by any means known to persons of skill, such as gluing, bonding, fusing, etc. or simply molding the zipper members with the tumbler 60 as a unitary whole.

[0049] FIG. 6B shows enlarged views of the outward hook zipper member 64 and inward hook zipper member 67 of FIG. 6A. The outward hook zipper member 64 has a base 65 that is positioned in the zipper slot 63. From a central portion of the base 65, two hooks 66 extend toward an interior of the tumbler 60. Each hook 66 has a hook cantilever 67 and a hook retainer 68, wherein the hook cantilevers 67 extend substantially perpendicular from the base 65, and the hook retainers 68 extend from the distal ends of the hook cantilevers 67 substantially parallel to the base 65. The outward hook zipper member 64 is called outward hook because the hook retainers 68 extend in opposite directions from each other outward from a center or middle of the member. The outward hook zipper member 64 further comprises two support cantilevers 69 extending from opposite ends of the base 65.

[0050] FIG. 6B further illustrates that the inward hook zipper member 74 has a base 75 that is positioned in the zipper slot 63 opposite the outward hook zipper member 64. From the opposite end portions of the base 75, two hooks 76 extend toward an interior of the tumbler 60. Each hook 76 has a hook cantilever 77 and a hook retainer 78, wherein the hook cantilevers 77 extend substantially perpendicular from the base 75, and the hook retainers 78 extend from the distal ends of the hook cantilevers 77 substantially parallel to the base 75. The inward hook zipper member 74 is called inward hook because the hook retainers 78 extend in opposite directions toward each other and inward toward a center or middle of the member. The inward hook zipper member 74 further comprises a support cantilever 79 extending from a central portion of the base 75.

[0051] With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the zipper members mate to seal the tumbler 60 by interlocking the hook retainers. In particular, the hooks 66 of the outward hook zipper member 64 are inserted into the respective corresponding spaces between the hooks 76 and the support cantilever 79 of the inward hook zipper member 74. Simultaneously, the hooks 76 of the inward hook zipper member 74 are inserted into the respective corresponding spaces between the hooks 66 and the support cantilevers 69. The hooks 66 and 76 are inserted into the spaces until the hook retainers 68 engage behind the hook retainers 78 and vise versa. The hook retainers 78 are supported to remain engaged with each other by the support cantilevers 69 and 79. In particular, the support cantilevers 69 press against the back sides of the hook retainers 78 to support the hook retainers 78 in engagement with the hook retainers 68. Similarly, the support cantilever 79 extends between the hooks 66 to provide support to the back sides of the hook retainers 68 to support the hook retainers 68 in engagement with the hook retainers 78. The support cantilever 79 has angled side-walls so as to wedge between the hooks 66.

[0052] Because the zipper members are made of a resilient material, i.e., platinum silicone, the hooks and supports may squeeze and bend into position for sealing engagement when the mouth 62 of the tumbler 60 is closed. The resilient material further provides sufficient rigidity to maintain the seal when the mouth 62 of the tumbler 60 is closed. Still further, the resilient material is sufficiently flexible to allow the zipper members to be pulled apart to break the seal and open the mouth 62. The closure and opening force may be such that closure and opening may be performed by hand.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the zipper members have certain dimensions. The width of the zipper slot 63 and the bases 65 and 75 of the zipper members 64 and 74 may be about 9.0 mm. The heights of the hooks 66 and 76, from the bottom of the bases 65 and 75 to the most distal ends of the hook retainers 68 and 78, may be about 4.0 mm, so that the combined thickness of a zipper slot, base and hook is less than 5.0 mm. The width of the hook retainers 68 and 78 may be about 1.7 mm.

[0054] FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of one side panel of a tumbler, wherein a cross-section is taken on the left at a center of a side of the tumbler and the other cross-section is taken on the right at an end of the tumbler. The zipper slot 83 does not have a zipper member in it, for illustration purposed. The zipper slot 83 has a slot end 85.

[0055] FIG. 7B shows a perspective view of the panel of the tumbler shown in FIG. 7A, except that an outward hook zipper member 84 is in the zipper slot 83. The zipper member 84 butts against the slot end 85 and is secured to it similar to the base of the zipper member being secured in the zipper slot 83. The slot end 85 is formed by a tip 86, shown in cross-section in FIG. 7B.

[0056] FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional top view of the tumbler shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The inward hook zipper member 74 is positioned in the zipper slot 83 of one side of the tumbler 60. The outward hook zipper member 64 is positioned in the zipper slot 83 of the other side of the tumbler 60. The tumbler 60 has relatively thick tips 86 at opposite ends of the mouth 62. The tips 86 form the slot ends 85. Further, the tips 86 provide handles for a user to hold the tumbler 60 while closing the zipper members 64 and 74 together. The zipper members terminate at the slot ends 85 and are secured to the slot ends 85 to completely seal the mouth 62 of the tumbler 60 when closed. The zipper members 64 and 74 cross over each other at the slot ends 85 so that the hooks 66 and 76 are completely engaged at the slot ends 85, even when the mouth 62 of the tumbler 60 is open as shown in FIG. 7C. To close the mouth 62, a user simply squeezes the sides of the mouth 62 together and pinches the zipper members 64 and 74 together until the hooks 66 and 76 are completely engaged.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional top view of a tumbler 60. The inward hook zipper member 74 is positioned in the zipper slot 83 of one side of the tumbler 60. The outward hook zipper member 64 is positioned in the zipper slot 83 of the other side of the tumbler 60. A tip 86 is formed at each end of the mouth. The wall thicknesses in the region of the tip is approximately the same as the side walls forming the mouth 62 and the zipper slot 63. The zipper members 64 and 74 extend all the way to the tips 86 and cross over each other at the tips 86. The ends of the zipper members are angled at about 45 degrees, so that when the zipper members are closed together, they seal the zipper at the tips 86

[0058] Although the disclosed embodiments are described in detail in the present disclosure, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made to the embodiments without departing from their spirit and scope.