Multi-function wipe container with integrated knife or straightedge cleaning lid
20250042603 ยท 2025-02-06
Inventors
Cpc classification
B65D5/727
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a novel and innovative knife cleaning solution or system. The disclosed system pertains to a specialized lid designed for wipes' containers, specifically catering to the needs of chefs and home cooks for safe and on-the-spot knife cleaning. The lid offers a unique and versatile layout, enabling efficient knife cleaning while also containing the waste generated during the process. Additionally, the lid is adaptable and can be used with various types of wipes packaging, enhancing its usability and convenience.
Claims
1. A method of knife or straight edge sanitation comprising: opening a lid by lifting a cover plate 2200 away from an annular base using a tab of the cover plate; pulling a sanitation wipe through an annulus of the annular base; laying out the sanitation wipe over the upper surface of the cover plate and the underside of a cleaning plate; opening a mouth of the cleaning plate to expose at least one tooth of the cleaning plate; securing the wipe by closing the cleaning plate's mouth; placing a knife or straight edge on the cover plate such that the blade spans outer ovular projections of the cover plate; closing the cleaning plate relative to the cover plate such that knife is held between said cleaning and cover plates and such that the knife interfaces said outer ovular projections and at least one inner ovular projection of the cleaning plate; pulling the knife out from between the cleaning and cover plates; opening the mouth of the cleaning plate; discarding the wipe with food residue or waste of the knife disposed within the wipe.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of disengaging a latch of the cover plate from a corresponding catch on the rim of the annular base.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of securing the wipe by closing the cleaning plate's mouth is accomplished via hinging a tab of the cleaning plate relative to the at least one tooth of the cleaning plate.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of closing the cleaning plate relative to the cover plate accomplishes a further step of folding the wipe over the knife.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of closing the cleaning plate relative to the cover plate precedes a further step of allowing the inner and outer ovular projections to adapt to slanted surfaces of the knife or straight edge.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of pulling the knife out from between the cleaning and cover plates accomplishes the further step of wiping off food residue or waste from the blade onto the wipe, and sanitizing the knife or straight edge using the cleaning and sanitization solution in the wipes.
7. An apparatus for knife or straight edge sanitation, comprising: a container with an annular base (2100) and a cover plate (2200) hingedly connected to the annular base; a cleaning plate (2300) hingedly connected to the cover plate; a tab (2260) on the cover plate for lifting and opening the lid; an annulus through the annular base for dispensing a sanitation wipe; a mouth (2310) on the cleaning plate with at least one tooth (2311) for securing a sanitation wipe; outer ovular projections (2240) on the cover plate for supporting the knife or straight edge; inner ovular projections on the cleaning plate for abutting the knife or straight edge through a sanitation wipe when the mouth secures the sanitation wipe and when the cleaning plate is closed relative to the cover plate; wherein the inner and outer ovular projections are constructed of malleable material for adapting the inner and outer ovular projections to slanted surfaces of the knife or straight edge through the sanitation wipe when the mouth secures the sanitation wipe and when the cleaning plate is closed relative to the cover plate; wherein pulling the knife or straight edge out from between the cleaning and cover plates when the mouth secures the sanitation wipe and when the cleaning plate is closed relative to the cover plate results in contaminants on the knife or straight edge being retained on the wipe.
8. A package or container of wipes, said package comprising: a cover plate attached to the package or container of wipes; a cleaning plate hingedly connected to the cover plate such a surface of the cleaning plate and a surface of the cover plate are adjacent to one another when the cleaning plate and cover plate are set in a closed configuration.
9. The package or container of wipes of claim 8 where a wipe from the container of wipes is folded and disposed between the cleaning plate and the cover plate in a closed configuration.
10. The package or container of wipes of claim 9 wherein a knife or straight edge is disposed within a fold of the folded wipe disposed between the cleaning plate and the cover plate in the closed configuration.
11. The package or container of wipes of claim 9 wherein food contaminants from the knife are disposed within the fold of the folded wipe disposed between the cleaning plate and the cover plate in the closed configuration.
12. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of pulling the knife out from between the cleaning and cover plates accomplishes the further step of protecting at least one finger from the blade of the knife.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of protecting at least one finger from the blade of the knife is accomplished via holding the finger against the upper surface of the cleaning plate.
14. The lid of claim 11 wherein a finger is held against a top surface of the cleaning plate.
15. The lid of claim 8 wherein a latch of the cover plate is coupled to a catch of the base.
16. The lid of claim 8 where the base is annular.
17. The lid of claim 8 wherein the base is rectangular
18. The method of claim 1 where the base is annular.
19. The method of claim 1 where the base is rectangular.
20. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a finger is held against an upper surface of the cleaning plate to protect the finger from a knife.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Other objectives of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the invention has been shown and described. The way these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which:
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[0056] In the figures, the following reference numerals represent the corresponding component of the disclosed technology. [0057] 1000Wipes' container [0058] 1100Top rim of the wipes' container [0059] 2000Straightedge-cleaning lid [0060] 2100Annular base of the lid [0061] 2110Annulus of the annular base [0062] 2120Catch on the rim of the annular base [0063] 2150Hinge connecting the base and cover plate [0064] 2200Cover plate of the lid [0065] 2210Annular projection on the lower surface of the cover plate [0066] 2220Latch on the lower surface of the cover plate [0067] 2230Catches on the upper surface of the cover plate [0068] 2240Outer ovular projections on the upper surface of the cover plate [0069] 2250Hinge connecting the cover plate and cleaning plate [0070] 2260Tab for gripping the cover plate [0071] 2270catch surface [0072] 2300Cleaning plate of the lid [0073] 2310Mouth on the cleaning plate [0074] 2311Teeth on the mouth of the cleaning plate [0075] 2312Tab for gripping the cleaning plate [0076] 2313Hinge connecting the tab and teeth on the mouth [0077] 2314latch for mouth that catches the catch surface of the cover plate. [0078] 2320Latches on the lower surface of the cleaning plate [0079] 2330Inner ovular projections on the lower surface of the cleaning plate [0080] 3000Wipes [0081] 4000User [0082] 5000Knife or straight edge to be cleaned
[0083] It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale but are representative.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0084] Disclosed is a quick, on-the-spot, and safe method for cleaning knives between different food cuts. By combining a wipe container with a specially designed lid, the need for traditional cleaning methods is eliminated and the risk of injuries associated with handling knives directly may be mitigated. The layout of a lid for a wipes container or packaging is a key to the proposed lid's functionality. The lid suitably features an annular base that attaches securely to the top rim of the wipe container, enabling easy access to the wipes. A cover plate is hingedly connected to the base, providing a protective seal to close the container and safeguard the wipes from moisture, moisture-loss, and contaminants. Additionally, a cleaning plate is integrated into the cover plate, creating a convenient and safe platform for cleaning knives. The more specific details and utilities of the disclosure are described with reference to the attached figures.
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[0086] Annular Base (2100): The annular base securely attaches to the top rim 1100 of the wipes' container 1000. This attachment enables the controlled dispensing of individual wipes through the annulus of the base 2100.
[0087] Cover Plate (2200): The cover plate 2200 is hingedly connected to the annular base 2100. The plate 2200 serves as a protective cover, concealing the annulus of the base 2100 when closed, thereby safeguarding the wipes disposed within the container 1000.
[0088] Cleaning Plate (2300): The cleaning plate 2300 is also hingedly connected, but to the cover plate 2200. The plate 2300 cooperates with the cover plate to create opposing surfaces for knife wiping and sanitation.
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[0091] Additionally shown in
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[0097] The lid's 2000 unique layout, featuring a dual-hinged lid, annular base, cover plate, and cleaning plate, offers an all-in-one solution for knife sanitation. Its innovative features and portability make it a convenient and effective tool for chefs and home cooks to maintain a hygienic and safe cooking environment. The apparatus's compatibility with various packaging styles, as represented in the reference numerals and components, further emphasizes its versatility and potential in the culinary industry.
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[0099] In
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[0102] In use, the device has the following method:
[0103] Step 1Refer to
[0104] Step 2refer to
[0105] Step 3referring to
[0106] Step 4Refer to
[0107] Step 5Refer to
[0108] Step 6step 6 is wiping off residue (Refer to
[0109] Step 7Refer to
[0110] The disclosed straightedge-cleaning lid 2000 has a utility that is a versatile solution for knife sanitation, ensuring safety and hygiene during culinary tasks. The lid 200 can be readily adapted and used with different wipes packaging options, offering a portable and efficient apparatus for all-in-one knife sanitation needs. For instance,
[0111] Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects, and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. For example, the disclosed lid may be adapted for use in any of the packing identified in the following documents: [0112] U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,659 (issued 1976 Sep. 28) by Ross discloses a bulk package for substantially wet sheets and dispensing devices therefor. [0113] U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,754 (issued 1980 Jan. 29) by Jilius discloses a collapsible recloseable dispenser packet with two-part resealable closure. [0114] U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,680 (issued 1991 Aug. 20) by Wilson et al. discloses a dispensing container. [0115] U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,912 (issued 1997 Dec. 23) by Ishikawa et al. discloses a container for wetted tissues. [0116] U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,690 (issued 2000 Jul. 25) by Bitowft et al. discloses a wet-wipe container having a hinged cover. [0117] U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,298 (issued 2002 May 28) by Zaidman discloses a dispensing cover. [0118] U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,292 (issued 2005 Oct. 4) by Bando et al. discloses a container with hinged lid. [0119] U.S. Pat. No. 8,893,911 (issued 2014 Nov. 25) by Damaghi et al. discloses a dispenser lid and container including the same. [0120] U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/334,998 (issued 2019 Jul. 2) by Rubo et al. discloses a flexible container and reusable closure element. [0121] U.S. Des. Pat. No. D414637 (issued 1999 Oct. 5) by Amundson et al. discloses a container for wipes. [0122] U.S. Des. Pat. No. D545097 (issued 2007 Jun. 26) by Schlaupitz et al. discloses a container for wipes. [0123] U.S. Des. Pat. No. D967706 (issued 2022 Oct. 25) by Dern et al. discloses a container lid. [0124] U.S. Pub. App. No. US 20060054517 (published 2006 Mar. 16) by Albert discloses a wipe storage system. See front page: [0125] U.S. Pub. App. No. US 20080099596 (published 2008 May 1) by DeMaso et al. discloses oval wipes. container. [0126] U.S. Pub. App. No. US 20050039293 (published 2005 Feb. 24) by McReynolds et al. discloses a dispenser assembly for dispensing liquid onto a removable sheet contained by an implement. [0127] U.S. Pub. App. No. US 20080179326 (published 2008 Jul. 31) by Krauth et al. discloses a push button dispensing lid.
Thus, the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.
[0128] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term including should be read as meaning including, without limitation or the like; the term example is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof: the terms a or an should be read as meaning at least one, one or more, or the like; and adjectives such as conventional, traditional, normal, standard, known, and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.
[0129] The presence of broadening words and phrases such as one or more, at least, but not limited to, or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use of the term assembly does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, might be combined in a single package or separately maintained and might further be distributed across multiple locations.
[0130] Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts, and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.
[0131] All original claims submitted with this specification are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.