CN217792382U

CN217792382U - Soft protective sleeve of container

Info

Publication number: CN217792382U
Application number: CN202221485171.4U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 林乔; 王保罗
Original assignee: Oula Baby Co ltd
Current assignee: Oula Baby Co ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-16
Filing date: 2022-06-14
Publication date: 2022-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2032-06-14
Also published as: US20220402655A1

Abstract

A flexible container sleeve comprising a bottom portion, a side portion and a top portion all integrally formed of the same flexible material, wherein the bottom portion and the side portion are configured to wrap around an outer surface of the container and the top portion is configured to wrap around a top edge of the container from the outer surface of the container to an inner surface of the container. The utility model provides a soft protective sheath can install in the outside of container, for example food container. The container may be a desk-top appliance, such as a desk-top container made of a frangible material like porcelain or glass. The soft protective sleeve can protect the container and prevent the container from being damaged when the container is dropped on the ground and is collided with a wall or furniture and a kitchen table.

Description

Soft protective sleeve of container

The present application claims priority from: U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 17/838,169, filing date 2022, 6/11, and U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/211,521, filing date 2021, 6/16. The entire contents of the above application are incorporated by reference into the present application.

Technical Field

The utility model discloses it is relevant, specific with container class technical field, the utility model discloses a soft protective sheath of container.

Background

Containers, such as dishes used on tables, are common household appliances used by people in daily life to store or contain food. Sometimes, the container is made of a frangible material, such as porcelain or glass. Sometimes, frangible food containers are used by children, such as those who are school to feed themselves. Sometimes, fragile food containers are used by the elderly. Children and elderly people, or normal adults, may inadvertently bump the container onto a table and fall to the ground, causing damage to the container.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The utility model provides a technical problem provide a can protect the container to prevent the soft protective sheath of container damage.

In order to solve the above problem, the utility model provides a following technical scheme:

a flexible protective sleeve for a container, comprising:

a bottom, a side, a top, integrally formed from the same flexible material,

the method is characterized in that: the bottom portion and the side portions are configured to wrap around an exterior surface of the container, and the top portion is configured to wrap around a top edge of the container from the exterior surface of the container to the interior surface of the container.

Preferably, the flexible material is food grade silicone.

Preferably, the top portion includes an inset portion embedded therein and is made of a material different from the flexible material.

Preferably, the inset portion includes a plurality of discrete portions inset within a plurality of locations of the top portion;

or,

the embedded part comprises a continuous mechanism embedded in the top part;

or,

the embedded portion includes a bent structure including a first portion embedded in an inner portion of the top portion and a second portion embedded in an outer portion of the top portion.

Preferably, the base is integrally formed with the base and is made of the same flexible material to provide suction.

Preferably, the inner portion of the top portion includes a surface that contacts the inner surface of the container and has one or more suction cups thereon.

Preferably, the top portion includes an outer portion arranged to contact an outer surface of the container and an inner portion arranged to contact an inner surface of the container.

Preferably, the side portions include reinforcing strips extending between the top and bottom portions.

Preferably, the reinforcing strip is a protrusion on the outer surface of the side portion.

Preferably, the reinforcing strip comprises a reinforcing element embedded in the side portion.

Borrow by above-mentioned technical scheme, the embodiment of the utility model provides a technical scheme has following advantage at least: the utility model provides a soft protective sheath can install in the outside of container, for example food container. The container may be a desk-top appliance, such as a desk-top container made of a frangible material like porcelain or glass. The soft protective sleeve can protect the container and prevent the container from being damaged when the container is dropped on the ground, and the container is collided with a wall or furniture and a kitchen table.

Other aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein.

Drawings

The following drawings are illustrative of various embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container having a flexible protective sleeve according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container having a flexible protective sleeve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container having a flexible protective sleeve with an inset according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a schematic view of the inner surface of the inner portion of the top of the flexible protective sleeve according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a container having a flexible protective cover with a base portion capable of creating suction according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a container of various shapes fitted with a flexible protective sleeve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a different shaped container with a flexible protective sleeve according to one embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic top view of a container fitted with a flexible protective sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

fig. 9 is a perspective view of a container with a flexible protective sleeve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The following describes the technical solution of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like numerals refer to the same or similar elements unless otherwise specified. Other embodiments or variations on the described embodiments of the invention may be envisioned or derived by those skilled in the art. These embodiments are all within the scope of the present invention.

Further, in the present invention, the embodiments and features of the embodiments may be combined. The embodiments described in the present application are only some of the embodiments, not all embodiments, according to the present invention. Based on the embodiments described herein, other embodiments consistent with the present invention may be derived by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, modifications, adaptations, alternatives, additions, and other variations may be made to the embodiments. Variations of these embodiments are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

The scope of protection of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

In the present disclosure, when a first element (or unit, element, member, component, sheet) is described as being coupled to a second element, it is meant that the first element can be directly or indirectly coupled, attached, secured, coupled, or secured to the second element, either fixedly or removably.

When a first element is described as being disposed on, located on, or provided with a second element, the first element can be partially or wholly, directly or indirectly disposed on, located in, or provided with the second element, internally, over, under, or above. A first element can be positioned, located, or provided in any suitable orientation (rear, front, left, right, above, or below) with respect to a second element.

The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may also refer to the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," and the like, mean that the described features, steps, operations, elements, and/or elements are present in the embodiments, and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, and/or groups thereof.

The phrase "at least one of A or B" is meant to include all possible combinations of A and B, such as A alone, B alone, or A and B. Similarly, "at least one of A, B, or C" refers to all possible combinations of A, B, and C, e.g., only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. The phrase "A and/or B" has a similar meaning to the phrase "at least one of A or B". For example, the phrase "A and/or B" may include all combinations of A and B, such as only A, only B, or both A and B. Similarly, the phrase "A, B, and/or C" has a meaning similar to the meaning of "at least one of A, B, or C". For example, the phrase "A, B, and/or C" may encompass all possible combinations of A, B, and C, such as only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

Further, while the embodiments shown in one drawing only show a single element, it is to be understood that the embodiments may also include multiple sub-elements. Similarly, while the embodiments shown in one of the figures are shown as including multiple elements, it will be understood that the embodiments may include only one element. The number of elements shown in the figures is exemplary only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present embodiments. Furthermore, the embodiments and/or features of the embodiments shown in the figures are not mutually exclusive and may be combined in an appropriate manner. For example, elements shown in only one embodiment (or figure) may be included in other embodiments (or figures).

The utility model provides a soft protective sheath can install in the outside of container, for example food container. The container may be a table-top appliance, such as a table-top container made of a frangible material like porcelain or glass. The soft protective sleeve can protect the container and prevent the container from being damaged when the container is dropped on the ground, and the container is collided with a wall or furniture and a kitchen table.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a container 110 with a sock 120 installed according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a container 110 with a sock 120 installed according to one embodiment of the present invention. The container 110 may be a food container. As an example of a container, a dish is shown. The container 110 may have a base and walls that together define a space for holding food or other items. The container 110 may be made of any suitable material. In some embodiments, the container 110 may be made of a frangible material, such as glass or porcelain. To protect the container 110 from damage or scratching, a pliable protective sleeve 120 may be mounted on the outer surface of the container 110, including the base of the container 110. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the sock 120 may include a top 121, a side 122, and a bottom 123, all integrally formed as a single piece. That is, the top 121, side 122, and bottom 123 portions are not distinct pieces that are adhered together. The top portion 121 may include an inner portion 125 (also referred to as a hook portion) and an outer portion 126, as shown in FIG. 2. When the protective sleeve 120 is mounted to the container 110, the inner portion 125 is configured to contact the inner surface of the container 110 and the outer portion 126 is configured to contact the outer surface of the container 110. In some embodiments, the inner portion 125 appears to hook over the top edge of the container 110. The outer portions 126 of the side portions 122, bottom portion 123, and top portion 121 wrap around the outer surface of the container 110 (including the body and base of the container 110). The top 121, including the outer portion 126 and the inner portion 125, may wrap around the edges of the top of the container 110 (not identified in fig. 1 and 2). The inner portion 125 may ride on (and also contact) the inner surface of the receptacle 110. As shown in fig. 2, the top 121, including the inner portion 125 and the outer portion 126, may cover the entire top edge (or rim), as well as a portion of the inner surface and a portion of the outer surface of the container 110. The inner portion 125 and the outer portion 126 may integrally form a continuous top 121. The top portion 121 may have a V-shaped annular configuration with an inner portion 125 bent inwardly from an outer portion 126. In some embodiments, substantially the entire inner portion 125 is in contact with the inner surface of the container 110.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the protective sheath 120 may have a hole, or holes, in the center of the base. These holes allow the protective sleeve 120 to extend when stretched by a user. In some embodiments, the center of the bottom 123 of the sleeve 120 may be a continuous, solid piece with no holes. In some embodiments, the side portion 122 may have one or more holes and the bottom portion 123 may not have holes. For exemplary purposes, the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 shows a hole in the center of the bottom 123.

As shown in fig. 2, the user can place the bottom or base of the container 110 on the central portion of the flexible protective sheath 120. The top 121 is then pulled upward so that the sock 120 extends until the inner portion 125 wraps around the top edge of the receptacle 110 and rests against the inner surface of the receptacle 110. That is, the top edge of the container 110 may be inserted into the space formed by the inner portion 125 and the outer portion 126 of the top 121. When installed, the flexible protective sleeve 120 wraps around the body of the container 110, with the inner portion 125 covering a small portion of the inner surface of the container 110. When the sock 120 is attached to the container 110, an elastic stretching force is applied directly to the sides 122, bottom 123, and top 121 due to the extensibility of the sock 120. Thus, the flexible protective sheath 120 can be securely mounted to the container 110 when the inner portion 125 is bent over the top edge and contacts the inner surface of the container 110. When the top 121 is pulled away from the top edge and the inner portion 125 is removed from the inner surface of the container 110, the sock 120 may be removed from the container 110. When removed, the sock 120 may be cleaned, decontaminated, or discarded. The protective cover 120 of the present invention can be reused after being cleaned or removed from dirt, or can be a disposable article.

The flexible boot 120 may be made of any suitable flexible material, such as silicone, rubber, etc. In some embodiments, the entire sock 120, including the top 121, sides 122, and bottom 123, is made of food grade silicone. The silica gel may be transparent or translucent. The silicone gel may provide a cushioning cushion when the container 110 is dropped onto the ground, bumped against a wall, kitchen counter, or furniture, or otherwise bumped against another container. In addition, the silicone gel may provide thermal insulation to protect the table surface when the container 110 containing hot food or liquid is placed on the table surface.

In some embodiments, to further increase the grip of the inner portion 125 on the top edge and the inner surface of the container 110, an inset 130 may be inset within the top 121, as shown in fig. 3. The inset 130 may be a curved structure including a first piece inset into the outer portion 126 of the top 121 and a second piece inset into the inner portion 125 of the top 121. Fig. 3 also shows an enlarged view of the embedded portion 130 (the top portion 121 where the embedded portion 130 is embedded is not shown). The first component embedded in the outer portion 126 of the top 121 is designated 130a and the second component embedded in the inner portion 125 of the top 121 is designated 130b. The length (or width) w of the portion of the inner portion 125 of the top 121 that contacts the inner surface of the vessel 110 may be no more than 1/5 (or 1/3,1/4, or other suitable value) of the depth d of the inner surface of the vessel 110. The depth d of the inner surface of the container 110 refers to the distance from the top edge of the container 110 to the intersection of the side and bottom surfaces of the inner surface. In some embodiments, the inset 130 can include a number of discrete segments (e.g., 2 segments, or 4 segments) distributed along the perimeter of the top portion 121. As shown in fig. 3, the section of the embedding portion 130 may show a V shape (or an inverted V shape). In some embodiments, the inset 130 can be a continuous ring or circular structure having a V-shaped cross-section as shown in fig. 3. The inset 130 can be made of a material that is slightly less elastic than the material of the top 121 (e.g., silicone). For example, the embedded portion 130 may be made of plastic, rubber, metal, or the like. The harder material of the inset 130 can increase the grip of the inner portion 125 on the top edge and the inner surface of the container 110, thereby preventing the inner portion 125 from sliding off the top edge and the inner surface. With the inset 130, the sock 120 may be more securely attached to the container 110.

In some embodiments, to further increase the grip of the inner portion 125 on the inner surface of the container 110, the inner portion 125 may include one or more suction cups (or recessed portions). Fig. 4 shows an inner surface 127 of the inner portion 125, which may be in contact with the inner surface of the container. The inner surface 127 of the inner portion 125 has one or more suction cups 129. For example, the suction cup 129 may be a recessed suction-producing well formed by removing a portion of the material of the inner portion 125. When the inner portion 125 is in contact with the inner surface of the container 110, the user may press the inner portion 125 against the inner surface of the container 110. Thus, when the suction cup 129 is pressed down toward the inner surface of the container 110, the suction cup 129 may generate a suction force so that the inner portion 125 more securely grips the inner surface of the container 110. The inner portion 125 may include any suitable number of suction cups 129, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. For example, in some embodiments, 4 suction cups 129 may be distributed over 4 locations on the top 121, with adjacent suction cups 129 being spaced 90 degrees apart. Although not shown, it is understood that the present invention may combine the suction cup 129 and the inset 130 in one embodiment.

Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the container 110 with the sock 120 installed. In this embodiment, the protective sheath 120 may have a base 140 that creates a suction force integrally formed with the bottom 123 of the flexible protective sheath 120. The base 140 may be made of the same material as the bottom 123, sides 122, and top 121 of the sock 120. For example, the base 140 may be made of silicone. The base 140 may provide a suction when the container 110 is placed on a table. Although not shown in fig. 5, the embodiment shown in fig. 5 may include an inset 130 and/or suction cup 129 shown in fig. 3 at top 121.

Fig. 6 and 7 show different shaped/sized containers fitted with a flexible protective sleeve according to some embodiments of the present invention. The container 110 shown in fig. 6 and 7 may be a bowl, plate, cup, etc. The sock 120 may be manufactured in a variety of different sizes and/or shapes so that the sock 120 may be adapted for use with containers of different sizes and/or shapes. In some embodiments, the protective sleeve 120 may be manufactured in a single size and a single shape, which may be suitable for containers of various sizes and/or shapes due to the flexibility of the material of the protective sleeve 120.

Fig. 8 is a top view of a container 110 with a pliable sheath 120 installed, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in fig. 8, the flexible protective sheath 120 wraps around the top edge of the receptacle 110 and covers the entire top edge, including a small portion of the interior surface of the receptacle 110. When the container 110 has a circular opening or rim, the top 121 of the sock 120 may be circular. While the container 110 may have other shapes, the flexible sleeve 120 may have other shapes to conform to the shape of the container 110.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a container 110 with a limp sock 120 installed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The sock 120 may have reinforcing strips 151 disposed on the sides of the sock 120. In some embodiments, each stiffening strip 151 may extend between the bottom and the top of the sock 120. In some embodiments, each stiffening strip 151 may extend from a central portion of the bottom of the sock 120 to an upper edge of the top of the sock 120. The central portion of the bottom of the sock 120 may or may not have a central hole (i.e., a solid continuous piece may be tried). In some embodiments, each reinforcement strip 151 may be a thicker line or ridge made of the same material as the rest of the sock 120, such as silicone. The thicker lines or ridges may be portions that protrude from the outer surface of the sock 120 and may be the same material as the rest of the sock (e.g., silicone). Thus, the outer surface of the sock 120 may be corrugated (pleated). In some embodiments, a stiffening element may be provided within each of the thicker lines or ridges, which may be made of a material that is somewhat stiffer than the material of the remainder of the sock 120. For example, when the flexible protective cover 120 is made of silicone, the reinforcing member may be made of flexible metal, plastic, or the like. Each stiffening element may be embedded within a somewhat thicker line or ridge protruding from the outer surface of the sock 120. In some embodiments, each stiffening element may be made of a flexible metal, while the thicker lines or ridges are made of silicone (the same material as the rest of the sock 120). In some embodiments, each reinforcing strip 151 may not protrude from the outer surface of the sock 120. Each reinforcement strip 151 may be embedded within the remainder of the sock 120 and the outer surface of the sock 120 may be smooth. Each reinforcement strip 151 may be made of a material (e.g., a flexible metal) that is somewhat stiffer than the material (e.g., silicone) of the remainder of the sock 120. Each stiffening strip 151 may provide support for other portions of the sock 120 to provide additional protection. It should be noted that although not shown, the reinforcing strips 151 may be combined with other features shown in other figures, such as the inset 130.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. The specification and depicted examples are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention. With a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. Variations from the described embodiments or equivalent embodiments are also within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A flexible protective sheath for a container, comprising:

a bottom portion, a side portion, a top portion integrally formed of the same flexible material,

2. A soft protective cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the flexible material is food grade silicone.

3. A soft protective cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the top portion includes an inset portion embedded therein and is made of a material different from the flexible material.

4. A soft protective cover as claimed in claim 3, wherein: the embedded part comprises a plurality of parts embedded in the top part by a plurality of discrete parts;

or,

the embedded part comprises a continuous mechanism embedded in the top part;

or,

5. A flexible protective cover according to claim 1 wherein: also includes a base portion for providing suction integrally formed from the same flexible material as the base portion.

6. A soft protective cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the inner portion of the top portion includes a surface that contacts the inner surface of the container and has one or more suction cups thereon.

7. A soft protective cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the top portion includes an outer portion configured to contact an outer surface of the container and an inner portion configured to contact an inner surface of the container.

8. A soft protective cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the side portions include a reinforcing strip extending between the top and bottom portions.

9. A soft protective cover as claimed in claim 8, wherein: the reinforcing strip is a protrusion on the outer surface of the side portion.

10. A soft protective cover as claimed in claim 8, wherein: the reinforcing strip includes a reinforcing element embedded in the side portion.