CA1294259C

CA1294259C - Potatoe drawer

Info

Publication number: CA1294259C
Application number: CA000548742A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Michel L. Cyr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-10-07
Filing date: 1987-10-07
Publication date: 1992-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2009-01-14

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:

This invention consists of a container inside which po-tatoes or other vegetables or food may be kept until eaten within a short term. This parallelepiped-shaped container is a one-piece devi-ce provided with three different openings: there is one on the upper part of the container, one on the front part and a third one on the lower part. The three openings are themselves provided with three identical covers. The appropriate shape of the container provides a good rotation and ventilation of vegetables. Also, a plastic screen situated on the lower part of the container permits the filtration of vegetable deposits, which may be removed by opening the bottom cover.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
POTATOE DRAWER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

-This invention primarily consists of a container insidewhich potatoes (or other vegetables as onions) can be kept.
Usually, potatoes are kept either in their original con-tainer (usually in a bag) or any dish whatsoever. In both cases, the only opening provided is situated on the upper part of the con-tainer. Therefore, the excess of vegetable deposits, which may be ac-cumulated in the bottom of the containers, as well as the moisture produced by the unappropriate ventilation of the containers may cause germination. Also, if fresh potatoes are added to those left in the container, then there is no rotat-ion of vegetables, ~hich may then be subject to rot. Furthermore, these usual containers cannot be easily cleaned out and, if not covered, the potatoes are then exposed to day-light, which may be harmful to their freshness. In short, it can be said that previous conta;ners were unpleasant to use and unattracti-ve. Furthermore, because of their design, they often had to be posi-tioned in hard to reach locations such as under the cupboard or the table.
L have found that these disadvantages may be overcome by designing a container provided with three openings. Each of the openings is itself provided with a cover permitting the circulation of air. This container can be easily installed in a kitchen. Potatoes may be tipped into the container by~the upper opening and taken out by the front opening. With this rotating action, potatoes are never left in the bottom of the container. Vegetables deposits are accumula-ted in the bottom of the container by passing through a plastic screen. The container may be cleaned out by opening the bottom cover without removing the potatoes.

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Each cover is larger than its open;ng, which provides ventilation from every side of the container, even from the back, - which does not touch the wall and is provided with small apertures permitting further ventilation. The container is opaque, which pre vents the potatoes from turning green because of daylight. Because of its attractive look, the container may be well installed within the user's reach. It is also easier to clean and to use than usual con-tainers, which until now were not specially designed for potatoes.
Another important feature of this invention is that the core of the receptacle can be molded in one single piece and that the three co-vers are identical therefore allowing for inexpensive manufacturing.
DESCRIPTION OF THR DRAWINGS:
Figure l is a schematic perspective view of the inven-tion, Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the ;nven-tion with its covers open and a cut-out illustrating the bottom screen, Figure 3 illustrates an other embodiment of the inven-tion, where receptacle is positionned at the bottom of the drawer, and Figure 4 illustrates an other embodiment of the inven-tion with its covers opened, a cut-out and a flat base comprising a slidable receptacle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
The container illustrated in figures l and 2 is provi-ded with three covers 10 specially designed to respect the characte-ristics of potatoes, regarding their use and nature. Potatoes can be tipped into the said container by the upper opening 12 down to the bottom plastic screen 14. 3 ~;~99L2~9 The upper part of the container 16 is slightly curved forward so that the potatoes can easily be tipped into the container. The central part i8 is narrower than the upper part and the front part 20 slight-ly projec ted forward in order for the user to have better access. The lower back part 44 is slightly curved forward in order to facilitate the falling of potatoes down container. The three covers 10 of the container are fixed with back hinges 22 so as to allow the opening of the covers by the front. The container and its covers may be formed from plastic, as shown or mayj if desired, be made from metal or other suitable materials.
The covers are fixed with back hinges 24. The said hin-ges are provided with a male part 26 on the back of the cover, which fits into a corresponding female part 28 fixed on the container. The particular shape oE covers lO has been designed to facilitate their opening. ~ small strip 32 provided at the front of the covers lO is used to open the covers more easily. The container is supported by two hangers 36 fixed on the wall. Two lower supports 34 located at the back prevent the container from touching the wall. Air may there-fore circulate more easily through the back openings 38 of the con-tainer. The shape of the bottom screen 14 may vary. The container il lustrated is provided with a plastic screen 14 with rectangular open-ings 40 covering the whole surface 14. The bottom cover can be easily closed by pressing it on the container's bottom strip 42 where prongs 49 provide a snapping action. The lower part 44 of the container's back is inclined so as to prevent the potatoes from jamming. The bottom screen 14 is slightly inclined at the front in order to facilitate the falling of potatoes down the container. The outside corner parts 46 of the container are rounded for an easier cleaning.
... 4 43~?~ss Also, the container is always well ventilated owing to different perforations at the back of the container 38 as well as those provided on closing the upper cover 14, (which is larger than its opening) and the front cover on two small prongs 49 providing a better circulation of air.
The design illustrated in figure 3 shows a second way to clean the container. A receptacle 50 may be installed on the whole surface of the bottom of the container to prevent vegetable deposits from accumulating directly in the container. Said receptacle 50 may be removed to be cleaned out. For a better and longer use, a reusable plastic plate is suggested. The container may also be used without a plate.
The design illustrated in figure 4 shows a third way to clean the container. The container is provided with a flat base 52 in order to be placed on a kitchen counter. The vegetables deposits are accumulated in a drawer 53, which may be removed from the container to be cleaned out. This container may also be hung on a wall the same way as in figures 1 and Z.

Claims

1-. A generally upright container for storing and dispen-sing potatoes and the like having a substantially rectangular cross-section, the said container having a front and a rear face, said rear face having means for hanging the container on a wall, the said contain-er having a substantially horizontal opening at its upper end and a first hinged cover for closing said horizontal opening, a bottom opening at the lower end of said container said bottom opening being forwardly slanted, a screen extending across said bottom opening, said screen having large apertures, a second cover for closing said bottom opening, said second cover being hingingly mounted adjacent said rear face, an apron extending upwardly and forwardly from said screen for defining a forwardly slanted front opening with the front face of the container, said front opening giving access to said screen and vertically located above the front part of said screen, a third cover hingingly mounted about said front face for closing said front opening projects forward-ly and downwardly, whereby the potatoes introduced in the upper opening falls on the screen and are adapted to roll below the front opening.

2-. A generally upright container as recited in claim 1, wherein the first, second and third covers are larger than the horizon-tal, bottom and front openings respectively for allowing ventilation inside the container.

3-. A generally upright container as recited in claim 2, wherein the front opening has edges provided with projecting prongs for spacing said third cover from said edges to allow air to enter said third opening.

4-. A generally upright container as recited in claim 1, wherein a means is provided for fastening closed the second cover.

5-. A generally upright container as recited in claim 1, wherein the lower part of the rear face is slanted forwardly and down-wardly for allowing the potatoes to roll towards the screen and below the front opening.

6-. A generally upright container as recited in claim 1, wherein the first, second and third covers comprise a rectangular panel and three ledges projecting downwardly from said panel on the front side and on the two sides adjacent the front side, the said cover being hingely mounted along its side free from ledges.

7-. A generally upright container as recited in claim 1, wherein the three covers are hingingly connected to the container by a pair of female grooved members secured to the container adjacent each opening and a pair of male rod members secured to each cover and adap-ted to rotatably move in said grooved member.

8-. A generally upright container as recited in claim 1, wherein the rear face is provided with perforations for allowing air circulation therethrough.