Abstract
A food storage container system which includes one or more food storage container assemblies. Each food storage container assembly has a container body and a lid designed and configured to work in functional combination to promote food storage means and with the lid containing timing means for tracking time elapsing during use (when storing food). The food storage container assemblies may be made of glass, plastic or other suitably equivalent material that is food- and dishwasher-safe. The lid of the container will be slidable into the base with an indented handle for sliding in and out of the body. The invention will contain an attachable timer that will slid into frond of container and be locked with a snapable button. The timer may comprise a display screen that shows a digital or non-digital display of time.
Claims
1. A food storage device comprising: a container; a lid slidable coupled to the container and sealing the container; an indented handle formed on the lid; a display holder formed on a front surface of the container; and a digital display slidable within the display holder, the digital display inserted and locked into the display holder when using the device and removable when the device is stored or being washed, wherein the digital display shows what content is stored in the device and a countdown timer showing when the content should not be eaten, wherein the digital display sends wireless signals to remotely indicate edibility of the content stored in the device.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the digital display comprises input buttons to enter a type of food to be stored in the device.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the digital display comprises input buttons to enter a date when a food item is stored in the device and an expiration date when the food item stored is to be discarded.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the digital display comprises status lights.
5. The food storage device of claim 1, wherein the digital display indicated a current temperature of the container.
6. The food storage device of claim 1, wherein the digital display illuminates different colors to indicate edibility of the content stored in the device.
7. The food storage device of claim 6, wherein the digital display illuminates green when there is 48 hours or more of edibility, yellow when there is less than 48 hours of edibility and red when there is less than 24 hours of edibility.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, food storage container system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food storage container system during an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.
(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a cuboid version of a food storage assembly (container and lid) of the food storage container system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating one perspective of how the timer inserts into the front of the container system according to embodiment of present invention. Allowing the containers to be stackable.
(5) FIG. 4 shows another option for inserting the timer into the lid rather than the front of the body.
(6) FIG. 5 shows how the timer could be built into the lid and waterproof rather than attachable.
(7) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view illustrating a display on a container assembly of the food storage container system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
(8) FIG. 7 shows an alternate approach to the timer. On the display the consumer would be able to select the amount of days and hours they wish to keep their comestibles. Example 3 days, 0 hours. It may or may not contain the temperature. It may or may not include the food label. This display may be used in “in use” drawing for FIG. 1.
(9) FIG. 8 shows is a perspective view of the timer for the food storage container system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
(10) FIG. 9 shows is a perspective view of the timer for the food storage container system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
(11) FIG. 10 shows an example of the timer displaying lights,
(12) FIG. 11 shows how the timer may enter from the side rather than the top.
(13) FIG. 12 shows the that the container may be square.
(14) FIG. 13 shows the container may be rectangular.
(15) FIG. 14 shows the container may be circular.
(16) FIG. 15 shows the container may be triangular.
(17) FIG. 16 shows that lid may slide in from the front of the container.
(18) FIG. 17 shows that container may slide in from the back of the container.
(19) FIG. 18 shows that the lid may slide in from the side of the container.
(20) FIG. 19A shows one embodiment of a digital label screen on the display. It will have its own power button along with controls to scroll backwards or forwards. The digital screen for the label may include an unlimited amount of food choices/groups along with individual phrases including “Use First” or “Take Out”. It will have it's own power button on either side and have it's own arrow controls to scroll through the food choices, set of arrows could be on either side of the food label.
(21) FIG. 19B shows one embodiment of the digital label screen on the display.
(22) FIG. 20A-C shows examples of same of the readings that may appear when the timer reaches zero.
(23) FIG. 21A-B shows how the display may slide in from the side of the housing,
(24) FIG. 22 shows how the display may slide in from the top of the housing.
(25) FIG. 23 shows the lights coordinating to the time lapse. There may be three, one green, one yellow, and one red.
(26) FIG. 24 shows there may be only one light that changes from green, to yellow, to red as the time progresses.
(27) FIG. 25A-B shows that there may be a snap-able button that locks in the lid. It may be any shape including circular, square, or rectangular.
(28) FIG. 26 shows that the timer on the display screen may have an option where it shows the time that has lapsed, along with the time remaining.
(29) FIG. 27A-B shows the timer may include a button on any side of the timer that will change the screen view from time “lapse” to time “remaining”.
(30) FIG. 28 shows that the display may be battery powered and contain a battery compartment that can be accessed from the back of the display. There may be a small release on the side that will open up the compartment. This compartment is shown as rectangular but may be any shape depending on the battery type.
(31) FIG. 29 shows that the display may be battery powered and contain a battery compartment that can be accessed from the back of the display. The door of the battery compartment may be assessible by pressing the button and this will cause the door to release and grant access to the batteries. This compartment is shown as circular but may be any shape depending on the battery type.
(32) FIG. 30 shows that the display may be rechargeable. It may be have a vertical housing base with multiple different slots for displays to charge more than one at a time.
(33) FIG. 31 shows that the display may be rechargeable. It may be have a horizontal housing base with multiple different slots for displays to charge more than one at a time.
(34) FIG. 32 shows that the housing charger may be vertical and charge only a single display at a time.
(35) FIG. 33 shows that the housing charger may be horizontal and charge only a single display at a time.
(36) FIG. 34 shows that the display screen may give an alert such as “low battery, power low, plug me in or charge me”.
(37) FIG. 35 Shows that the battery display screen may be digital. If digital it will have ‘bars’ that indicate it's battery life.
(38) FIG. 36 shows that the indicators for battery life may be color dots signifying battery life. It may change from green, yellow, or red depending on how much charge is left.
(39) FIG. 37 shows that the battery may just a symbol up top and there may be a single light that changes colors to indicate battery life.
(40) FIG. 38 shows a high level view of the display. Has the timer that may or may not include the temperature. Illustrates the power button that could be on either side of the timer. Shows the control arrows to set the time for desired time frame. It also shows the food label which has it's own power button that may be on either side and it's control arrows to scroll forward or backwards to select the desired entry.
(41) FIG. 39 shows that in addition or instead of having the display on the front of the container, it could be inserted into the lid.
(42) The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(43) The present invention is directed to containers for safe food storage. In one embodiment of the present invention, food storage container systems may comprise food storage container assemblies having cuboid shapes. In an alternate embodiment the shape of the food storage container assemblies may comprise a cylindrical shape. Other shapes may be used; however the cuboid and cylindrical versions have been shown herein for enablement purposes and the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to those described.
(44) Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a perspective view of a food storage container system during an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is designed for use with refrigerators and freezers and other means for maintaining cool temperatures for food. The product acts as a food containment means by effectively sealing the food stored within from the ambient environment. Certain embodiments may comprise gaskets or other sealing means. Other embodiments may comprise means to evacuate air from the food storage container assembly.
(45) FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the food storage assembly (container and lid) of the food storage container system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lid may comprise an indent that can act as a handle to push and pull out the lid. Or an external handle entirely. The lid is able to be sealingly coupled to the container. The lid may slide in relation to the container in certain embodiments rather than latching to the top edge. The cuboid version is shown in the present figure.
(46) FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating how the display with timer slides into front of the container. There are two rails on the front of the container that allow the display to slid into place. It is held into place with a snap button that can be pushed to release the display.
(47) The present invention acts as a food storage containment means designed to track how long food has been stored. A timer may count up to the desired time or down, depending on userpreference. The timer and label are sealed such that they are dishwasher-safe. The timer may comprise lighting means such that the face and or indicia displayed thereon may be colored. For example when there remains 72 hours or greater on the timer, the display screen will be green, when 48 hours or less the timer will turn yellow, when time reaches 24 hours or less the timer will turn red. After that time the color may turn red as an indicator that the food is no longer suitable for consumption. This relative timing may be based off of what food is stored therein and how the food was prepared etc.
(48) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view illustrating a display and indicia on a container assembly of the food storage container system according to an embodiment of the present invention. An option to have the display insert into lid rather than container.
(49) As shown (see Addendum one and two for further clarification) the device may contain an integral timer or a mounted timer (that can be added to the lid). The timer may comprise a display screen that shows a digital or non-digital display of time. Time displayed may be in time increments of years, months, days, hours, minutes, and/or seconds. The display screen may include a calendar where the consumer The display may also show temperature reading(s) in Fahrenheit, Celsius or other. Further, the display may show via a color-coded color (example green, yellow or red) as an indication of the time left where the comestible is ‘good’ (suitable) for consumption.
(50) The user may input the start-time when the food is first stored as well as what kind of food is stored (eg. poultry, red meat, fish, pasta, and the like). A label may be used for displaying indicia related to the stored item. In preferred embodiments the label and timer are located on or integral with the lid; however certain embodiments may be positioned such that the label and timer are located on or integral with the container. The timer and label are in electronic communication with the microchip and powering means. Sensors may be used to sense temperature and the like. The exact specifications, materials used, and method of use of the food storage container system may vary upon manufacturing.
(51) FIG. 5 Shows how the display could be built into the lid and be water proof. FIGS. 3-5 show different options for attaching display to embodied invention.
(52) FIG. 6 Shows The display of timer in detail. It entails a date in time, date out time, and time remaining or time that has lapsed in either hours and days and hours. The display will also include the temperature as well as possible a label allowing consumer to choose food type.
(53) FIG. 7 shows how consumer may be able to select a certain number of days with the up/down arrows, whereas FIG. 8 shows an option to just have a power button on the display that will count days beginning at day 1.
(54) Image 9 shows the light indicators that may be present on the display rather than having the digital screen light up. The lights will indicate to the consumer how long the food has been in the stored container.
(55) One of the main components of the container system is that the timing display can slid into the container as in FIG. 10. It will do this by having rails on the container and the display to connect the two.
(56) FIG. 12 shows that the lid of the container may have an indented handle that will allow for the consumer to easily side in and out of the container. It will then latch into place, sealing airtight.
(57) FIGS. 14 and 15 show how the container can take different shapes such as circular or triangular.
(58) There may be options for the lid to slid in from different angles of the container such as the side, front or back, see FIGS. 16-18.
(59) There may be an option on the display to have a digital component that shows the contents of the container. FIG. 19 shows how the arrows will be used to select from an unknown number of options.
(60) There is an option on the digital display where the days are counted for there to be a word indication that the food is now expired, see FIG. 20. FIGS. 21 & 22 display how the display may be inserted from multiple different angles.
(61) It is noted in FIGS. 23 & 24 how there can be numerous lights that each have their own color. For instance, the green lights up first, then the yellow followed by the red as time progresses. There is an option as well for one light that changes colors.
(62) It is important that the lid lock into place for freshness, FIG. 25 shows a lock and release button on the front of the container. This snaps into place when the lid is slid into place and when the button is pressed it allows the lid to unlock and slid off.
(63) FIG. 26 shows an option on the display to have the time remaining be in enlarged on the display screen and the time that has lapsed be in the upper corner for tracking.
(64) FIGS. 28 & 29 shows the back of the display and how to open the battery component for replacement or charging.
(65) Alternatively to having the display use replaceable batteries there is an option to have the display be chargeable. FIG. 30 shows a charging station for multiple display units that runs vertically. FIG. 31 shows the same concept only the charging station is horizontal. There is also an option to for the charging station to charge a single display rather than several. FIGS. 32 & 33 shows this both vertically and horizontally.
(66) It is important to be aware of the battery life. There are a few different options for this. The first is to display written words in the upper right-hand corner to indicate charging is needed see FIG. 34. There is also the option to show lines that indicate the battery life. Three lines is fully charged and one is low See FIG. 35. The last option is to have lights in the upper right-hand corner that indicate battery life. The green light is fully charged, the yellow light is sufficient, and the red is low battery, see FIG. 36. The last option is to have a light that blinks or is solid when battery is low. This is in addition or solely to having the battery symbol see FIG. 37.
(67) It may be an option to have the temperature show on the display as shown in FIG. 38. The majority of the drawings show the display housing on the front of the container, however as FIG. 39 shows there's an option to have it inserted on the lid. It would be indented in the lid so it sat flat therefore making the containers stackable.
(68) The foregoing descriptions of specific 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 present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment(s) were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
