FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM

Abstract

The present patent of invention relates to a food storage container and organizing container system (1), particularly for perishable breakfast foods such as ham, cheese, whipped cream, jelly, fruit, and foods in bulk, among others. Preferably, said food storage container and organizing container system (1) has been designed to be stored in refrigerators (not depicted) and used as a tray for serving foods in a lovely and practical way. Said food storage container and organizing container system comprises a base (2) with a single body to accommodate containers (3) in which food portions are stored, said base (2) being closed by a lid (4). Said lid (4) is attached to the base (2) to separate foods stored inside the respective containers (3). Additionally, particularly, lid (4) may be attached to the bottom of base (2) to keep an organized environment as well as to provide proper support and avoid unintentional movements when using the food storage container and organizing container system to serve foods.

Claims

1. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM characterized in that food storage container and organizing container system (1) comprises a base (2) with a single body that holds containers (3); a lid (4) attached to the base (2) to separate respective containers (3); base (2) is made up by a structural body provided with a plurality of partitions (22), an external wall (24), a peripheral rim (26), upper bearing surfaces (20) and a plurality of compartments (25) configured to hold containers (3); the lid (4) comprises a peripheral rim (41) followed by a projection (44) and at least one anatomical handle area (43).

2. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that base (2) comprises a ledge (21) extending along its entire periphery.

3. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 2, characterized in that ledge (21) of base (2) has a rounded geometry substantially perpendicular to the external wall (24) so as to form an anatomical handle area.

4. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that base (2) bearing surfaces (20) are enlarged to define a space between the containers (3) and form heat exchange areas (27) between the containers (3) and the partitions (22).

5. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that base (2) is hollow on its bottom side.

6. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that base (2) comprises at least one longitudinal opening (28) arranged on the external wall (24).

7. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that base (2) is partially closed on its bottom side and fitted with conveniently distributed openings to allow circulation of refrigerated air.

8. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that containers (3) comprise a geometry which is concordant with the geometry of partitions (22).

9. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that containers (3) are provided with a rim (30) on their upper portion that rests on the upper bearing surfaces (20) when the containers (3) are placed inside the compartments (25).

10. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that containers (3) comprise rounded corners (31) on their lower inner side.

11. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that containers (3) comprise markings (11) to identify their volume.

12. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that containers (3) are of the food capsule form to be fitted into the compartments (25).

13. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that containers (3) comprise equivalent geometries in which the larger container (G) equals two medium-sized containers (M) and two medium-sized containers (M) or one large container (G) equals four small-sized containers (P).

14. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that peripheral rim (41) of lid (4) is provided with an inner bearing surface (41a) with concordant geometry and sizes which are minimally larger than the external geometry of the peripheral rim (26) of base (2) so as to enable proper attachment of said lid (4) when closing the food storage and organizing container system (1).

15. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises sealing means applied to the container (3) rims (30).

16. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises sealing means applied to the base (2) surfaces (20).

17. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that lid (4) comprises a ledge (42) extending along its entire periphery.

18. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that anatomical handle areas (43) are arranged on opposite sides of lid (4).

19. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that lid (4) comprises markings (10) to indicate opening areas of food storage and organizing container system (1).

20. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND ORGANIZING CONTAINER SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises locking means to lock lid (4) to the base (2) by mechanical interference, wherein peripheral rim (26) of base (2) comprises at least one groove (201) and the lid (4) projection (44) comprises at least one protrusion (401) so as to define locking means between the lid (4) and the base (2), wherein lid (4) comprises thickness reduced areas on the areas where mechanical interference locking means between the lid (4) and the base (2) takes place, wherein lid (4) can be attached to the bottom of base (2) so as to a create support base, wherein projection (44) of lid (4) is provided with a convenient and minimally smaller external geometry to be connected to the bottom of base (2) through the external wall (24) with minimally larger internal dimensions wherein lid (4) comprises at least one extra gripping element (46) arranged on the upper surface (45) that can be conveniently fixed or injected to the lid (4), and lid (4) comprises at least one groove (45a) which receives an extra gripping element (46).

21-26. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a food storage container and organizing container system (1) with a base (2), containers (3) and a lid (4) in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of a mounted food storage container and organizing container system (1) with the lid (4) positioned on its top portion in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a lower perspective view of a food storage container and organizing container system (1) highlighting the containers (3) placed in the base (2) in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0031] FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the base (2), in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0032] FIG. 4A is an expanded partial view of the detail (A) of FIG. 4, in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0033] FIG. 5 is a lower perspective view of the base (2), in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0034] FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of the lid (4), in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0035] FIG. 6A is an expanded partial view of the detail (B) of FIG. 6, in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0036] FIG. 7 is a perspective lower view of the lid (4), in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0037] FIG. 7A is an expanded partial view of the detail (C) of FIG. 7, in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0038] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a mounted food storage container system (1), and with the lid (4) positioned on its top portion, in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0039] FIG. 8A is an expanded partial cross sectional view of the detail (D) of FIG. 8, in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0040] FIG. 9 is an expanded perspective view of a food storage container and organizing container system (1) with the lid (4) located on the bottom of base (2), in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0041] FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view of a mounted food storage container and organizing container system (1), with the lid (4) located on the bottom of base (2), in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0042] FIG. 11 is a lower perspective view of a mounted food storage container and organizing container system (1), with the lid (4) located on the bottom of base (2), in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0043] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of a mounted food storage container and organizing container system (1), with the lid (4) located on its bottom, in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 12A is an expanded partial cross sectional view of the detail (E) of FIG. 12, in a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0045] FIG. 13 is an upper perspective view of a mounted food storage container and organizing container system (1), with the lid (4) located on the bottom of base (2), in another embodiment of the invention; and

[0046] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the containers (3) stacked to one another.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] As illustrated by the accompanying figures, the food storage container and organizing container system (1) comprises components, fitted together, and preferably manufactured by injection molding process using thermoplastic material, proper for the direct contact with foods, said material being free of heavy metals in compliance with the European directive RoHS (Restriction of Certain Hazardous Substances).

[0048] The food storage container and organizing container system (1) can also be manufactured in translucent material that, advantageously, allows viewing of foods stored inside containers (3), thus avoiding losses due to spoilt food.

[0049] It will be understood that the food storage container and organizing container system (1) may comprise different sizes and have proper geometry and configuration, preferably to be used in different sized refrigerators (not depicted) without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0050] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the food storage container and organizing container system (1) comprises a base (2) with a single body to hold containers (3), which are closed by a lid (4) that can be attached to the base (2) to separate respective containers (3) in which food portions are stored.

[0051] Base (2), as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 4A and 5, is made up by a structural body provided with an external wall (24) associated with a plurality of partitions (22) conveniently arranged so as to form a plurality of compartments (25) to hold the containers (3). Said base (2) further comprises a peripheral rim (26) extending, preferably, along the entire periphery of base (2). The peripheral rim (26) and the partitions (22) are delimited by enlarged borders so as to form upper bearing surfaces (20).

[0052] Preferably, base (2) comprises a ledge (21) extending along its entire periphery having, preferably, a geometry which is rounded and substantially perpendicular to the external wall (24) so as to define an anatomic handle area.

[0053] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 13, containers (3) may comprise varied geometries and sizes depending on the arrangement of partitions (22) and the sizes of the food storage container and organizing container system (1), said containers (3) may be manufactured in varied materials convenient to be used in high temperature environments such as microwave ovens without losing their mechanical properties.

[0054] Optionally, containers (3) may be of the food capsule form, which allows food manufacturers themselves to design packages with a proper geometry to be fitted into the compartments (25) of the food storage container and organizing container system (1), thus further enhancing its practicality.

[0055] According to FIGS. 8, 8A, 12 and 12A, containers (3) are provided with a rim (30) on their upper portion that rests on the upper bearing surfaces (20) when containers (3) are placed inside the compartments (25). Said containers (3) further comprise, preferably, rounded corners (31) on their lower inner side for easy cleaning.

[0056] Optionally, food storage container and organizing container system (1) may comprise sealing means (not depicted), such as a thermoplastic or silicone elastomer film, among other similar materials, applied to the container (3) rims (30) to efficiently insulate the foods inside the containers (3) when the lid (4) is closed.

[0057] Alternatively, sealing means (not depicted) may be directly applied to the upper bearing surfaces (20) of base (2) between the containers (3) so as to compensate thickness of the container (3) rims (30) thus enabling contact with lid (4) to provide efficient insulation.

[0058] It will be understood that other known means may be used to insulate foods, for instance, the components of the food container and organizing container system may be manufactured in specific thermoplastic material with a lower hardness that, when fitted together, enable surfaces to be isolated under pressure with greater efficiency.

[0059] Configuration of said containers (3), as illustrated in FIG. 14, makes it easier to store and organize them inside kitchen cabinets, as well as favorable aesthetics in such a way that the geometry of the larger container (G) equals two medium-sized containers (M) and, at the same time, the geometry of two medium-sized containers (M) or one large container (G) equals four small-sized containers (P).

[0060] As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 4A, 8 and 8A, the upper bearing surfaces (20) with enlarged borders define a space between the containers (3) to form heat exchange areas (27) whereby the air flow in low temperatures helps refrigerate foods, thus significantly increasing refrigeration efficiency of the foods stored inside the containers (3).

[0061] Preferably, base (2) is hollow on its bottom side so as to allow entrance and circulation of refrigerated air between the containers (3) when said base (2) is stored within a refrigerator using wire shelving.

[0062] Preferably, base (2) comprises at least one longitudinal opening (28) arranged on the external wall (24) to allow air flow when food storage container and organizing container system (1) is placed on a refrigerator shelf (not depicted) with a fully closed surface such as a flat plate glass.

[0063] It will be understood that the base (2) may be partially closed on its bottom side and provided with evenly distributed openings so as to allow entrance of refrigerated air into the food storage container and organizing container system (1) thus refrigerating the foods stored inside the containers (3) without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0064] As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 6A, 7, and 7A, lid (4) is provided with a substantially flat overall geometry and comprises a peripheral rim (41) provided with an inner bearing surface (41a) followed by a projection (44). Preferably, lid (4) comprises a ledge (42) extending along its entire periphery.

[0065] Lid (4) may comprise at least one anatomic handle area (43) along its periphery. Preferably, anatomic handle areas (43) are arranged on opposite sides of lid (4) to help open the food storage container and organizing container system (1).

[0066] As illustrated in FIGS. 7, 7A, 8 and 8A, inner bearing surface (41a) is provided with concordant geometry and sizes which are minimally larger than the external geometry of peripheral rim (26) of base (2) to enable lid (4) to be properly attached and close food storage container and organizing container system (1).

[0067] As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 4A, 7 and 7A, peripheral rim (26) of base (2) comprises at least one groove (201) while lid (4) projection (44) comprises at least one protrusion (401). Said groove (201) on the peripheral rim (26) is concordant with the protrusion (401) on the projection (44) so as to define mechanical interference locking means between the lid (4) and the base (2).

[0068] Optionally, lid (4) may comprise reduced thickness areas especially on the areas where mechanical interference locking means between the lid (4) and the base (2) takes place, thus facilitating the bending of the material and easily and lightly locking and unlocking lid (4).

[0069] As illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, lid (4) may be attached to the bottom of base (2) to create a support structure for the base (2) thus making it easier to handle the food storage container and organizing container system (1) and preventing its unintentional movement.

[0070] As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 12A in a particular embodiment of the invention, said projection (44) is also provided with a convenient and minimally smaller external geometry to be connected to the bottom of base (2) through the external wall (24) with minimally larger internal dimensions. Advantageously, lid (4) remains associated with the food storage container and organizing container system (1) so as to keep an organized environment as well as to provide proper support and avoid unintentional movements when using the storage container and organizing container system to serve foods.

[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 6, lid (4), preferably, may be provided with at least one extra gripping element on its upper surface (45) to promote friction with the contact surface when using the food storage container and organizing container system (1) thus preventing unintentional movements therein. Said extra gripping element may be conveniently fixed or injected to the lid (4).

[0072] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6A, lid (4), in a preferred embodiment of the invention, may comprise at least one groove (45a) located on the lid (4) upper surface (45), which is provided with an extra gripping element (46) inserted by mechanical interference.

[0073] Preferably, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, food storage container and organizing container system (1) may comprise markings (10) on its lid (4) to indicate the proper place to open the food storage container and organizing container system (1). Additionally, containers (3) may comprise markings (11) on their underside to identify the volume thus helping users to buy and replace foods in the containers (3).

[0074] FIG. 13 illustrates, as an example, another embodiment of the invention whereby the food storage container and organizing container system (1) is provided with a differentiated arrangement for the compartments (25) in the base (2) which allows proper positioning of a plurality of containers (3).

[0075] A person skilled in the art will promptly infer, from the description and the drawings depicted, various ways of carrying out the invention without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.