ES2576131T3 - Expandable food storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

An expandable food storage container (10) comprising: a base (12) and a cover (14), said cover (14) being formed by a dome (22) and a support ring (20), wherein said support ring (20) comprises a wall of rings (24) having an upper end (26) and a lower end (28), and in which a series of support threads (50) are provided in said dome ( 22); and a tab (30) is provided on said support ring (20); characterized in that: said tab (30) is spaced and positioned to engage said series of support threads (50); and said tab (30) and said series of threads (50) are positioned such that rotation of said dome (22) with respect to said wall of rings (24) causes said series of threads (50) to rotate with respect to said tab (30) and cause said dome (22) to move longitudinally up or down with respect to said ring wall (24) such that said cover (14) can move from a folded configuration where said dome ( 22) is received primarily in the support ring (20) to an expanded configuration where the dome (22) extends upwardly beyond the support ring (20).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Expandable food storage container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to domestic food storage containers. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved food storage container that can be expanded or retracted as necessary for storage or use.

It is well known to provide a covered base for storing or transporting food. Of course, the cover can be removed to show or serve the food at the base. A common problem with this provision is the need to accommodate different amounts of food. For example, a base can have a cover that is slightly domed, jointly defining a closed space for storage. However, some larger food items, such as a roast or a tall cake, cannot accommodate within this enclosed space. The usual solution to this problem is to provide a second cover that has a larger dome that will accommodate the largest food item. This solution has disadvantages since it requires the purchase of a second cover, as well as an increase in the necessary storage space for the two covers.

In accordance with the present invention, an expandable food storage container is provided, comprising: a base and a cover, said cover being formed by a dome and a ring wall.

Preferably, a series of support threads is provided between said dome and said ring wall.

Alternatively, a series of support threads is provided in said dome; and a tongue is provided on said cover; Y

said tab is spaced and is positioned to couple said series of support threads; and said tongue and said series of threads are positioned such that the rotation of said dome with respect to said ring wall causes said series of threads to rotate with respect to said tongue and causes said dome to move longitudinally up or down with respect to said ring wall.

Conveniently, a resting surface is provided to prevent a continuous upward or downward movement of said dome with respect to said ring.

Advantageously, an upper resting surface is provided to prevent a continuous upward or downward movement of said dome with respect to said ring; Y

a lower resting surface is provided to prevent a continuous upward or downward movement of said dome with respect to said ring.

Preferably, a lower resting surface is provided to prevent a continuous upward or downward movement of said dome with respect to said ring.

Conveniently, a locking button is formed in the dome, and the continuous rotation of said dome with respect to said ring wall causes said tongue to pass over said locking button and due to the elastic deformation it serves to selectively retain said dome against unintended rotation.

Advantageously, a locking button is formed in the dome, and the continuous rotation of said dome with respect to said ring wall causes said tongue to pass over said locking button and due to the elastic deformation it serves to selectively retain said dome against unintended rotation.

Conveniently, a locking button is formed in the dome, and the continuous rotation of said dome with respect to said ring wall causes said tongue to pass over said locking button and due to the elastic deformation it serves to selectively retain said dome against unintended rotation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a food storage container according to the subject matter of the independent claim 1.

Additional aspects of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the invention noted above are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which similar reference numbers represent similar elements, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of the collapsible food storage container according to the present invention in the folded configuration;

Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the container cover in the expanded configuration;

Figure 3 is a perspective, top, exploded view thereof;

Figure 4 is a side view of the container cover in the expanded configuration;

Figure 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view along line 5-5; Y

Figure 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view along line 6-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figure 1, a collapsible food storage container according to the present invention is generally designated by reference number 10. The container 10 generally includes a base 12 and a cover 14. The base 12 is shown as a generally flat disk in figure 1, but it can be, alternatively, a deep or shallow bowl. The cover 14 can be secured to the base 12, such as by a peripheral seal seal commonly known for food storage containers, a series of locking clamp tongues, etc., as are known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the cover 14 is selectively secured to the base 12 by a known arrangement of a locking tab 16 received within a coupling opening in the base 12, as shown in US D389,018. As will be discussed more fully below, fixing the cover 14 to the base 12 allows the user to lift the unit in its entirety (with the food inside) using a handle 18 on the top of the cover 14.

Since the base can have a variety of shapes, and the invention resides primarily on the cover 14, the description below and the majority of the figures will focus on the cover 14. The cover 14 includes a support ring 20 in which a dome 22 is mounted, both of which are preferably formed of a suitable plastic. The support ring 20 generally takes the form of a section of a cylinder, with a cylindrical ring wall 24 having an upper end 26 and a lower end 28. As best shown in Figure 3, the cover 14 includes the minus two tabs 30 spaced around the periphery of the upper end 26 and extending radially inwards.

The dome 22 includes a generally cylindrical side wall 32 having an upper end 34 and a lower end 36. The ring wall 24 and the side wall 32 are sized so that one fits tightly into the other but still allows a relative free rotation and a longitudinal movement between the two. A series of cam threads 38 extend radially outwardly from the side wall 32 and have a helical shape as they extend from a position at or near the upper end 34 to the lower end 36 in a manner similar to the screw threads. The tabs 30 on the support ring and the threads 38 extend towards each other and are sized to overlap. The threads 38 are also spaced on the periphery of the side wall 32 in a similar manner that corresponds to the separation of the tabs 30, and it is desired that there is at least one thread 38 associated with each tongue 30. Additionally, where there is a thread associated with each tongue 30, the threads 38 will all be spaced so as to have contact with an edge of their associated tongue 30. For example, in the preferred embodiment shown, the threads are on the right, and when the threads 38 are seen from above they will engage all the tabs 30 on the right edge of the tabs 30 such that the cam thread 38 is above (instead of being below) of the tongue 30. In other words, the cam threads 38 will make contact between sf with an entry edge 40 of the tabs 30.

Given the overlapping nature of the threads 38 to the tongues 30, it can be contemplated that the dome 22 is supported by the lower part of the threads 38 found in the associated tongues 30 at the inlet edge 40. It can also be contemplated that manual rotation of the dome 22 in relation to the support ring will cause the dome 22 to move longitudinally up or down with respect to the support ring 20 in a manner similar to a screw that moves in or out during a placement or extraction. In this way, it can be seen that the cover 14 can be moved from a folded configuration, where the dome 22 is mainly received inside the support ring 20 (Figure 1), to an expanded configuration, where the dome 22 extends upwards beyond the support ring 20 (figure 2). With this expansion or folding, it can be seen that the volume enclosed within the cover 14 will increase as the cover 14 expands and will decrease as it folds.

The tabs 30 and the cam threads 38 will support the dome 22 and hold it against gravity relative to the support ring 20. However, the cam threads 38 are inclined, and this support cannot

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Be as stable as desired. To help hold the dome 22 in the expanded position, one or more of the cam threads 38 may pass to a lower resting surface 42. Each of the lower resting surfaces 42 takes the form of a radially outward flange that extends horizontally on a portion of the periphery of the side wall of the dome 32 parallel to the lower end 36. The depth of the surfaces 42 is preferably equal to that of the cam threads 38. The length of the resting surfaces 42 is such to allow the tongues 30 to receive below them an amount sufficient to provide a stable resting position against gravity for dome 22 when they are in the expanded position of Figures 2 and 4.

Although not required, it is preferred that the resting surfaces 42 be separated from the lower end 36, and that the lower end 36 includes a peripheral flange 44 that extends radially outwardly therefrom and has a depth similar to that of the surfaces 42. The separation between the surfaces 42 and the peripheral flange preferably forms a perfect sliding fit over the associated tongues 30. This will provide a stable sensation to the user when in the expanded position.

It is also possible to form a locking button 46 projecting radially outwardly from the side wall of the dome 32 in a position between the resting surfaces 42 and the peripheral flange 44. The tongue 30 will then include a radially extending coupling depression 47 inward As can be seen, the rotation of the dome 22 with respect to the ring 20 will cause the tongues 30 to move in the grooves formed between the surfaces 42 and the flange 44, with continuous rotation that causes the tongue 30 to pass over the locking button 46 due to elastic deformation until the button 46 is received inside the coupling depression 47. This will serve to selectively retain the dome 22 against unintended rotation. Additionally, the tabs 30 that are received closely between the surfaces 42 and the flange 44 will prevent the upward or downward movement of the dome 22 relative to the ring 20. In this way, the cover 14 can be placed in an expanded, very secure position. In fact, it can be safe to allow the transport of the fully loaded container 10 in this expanded position. Even so, the user can manually flip the dome 22 in the opposite direction to cause the tab 30 to pass back over the button 46 to release the dome and allow it to move to the folded position.

While moving between the expanded and folded positions, the cam threads 38 will support the dome 22 against gravity as described. However, there may be a tendency for the user to lift the dome 22 during rotation, causing the cam threads 38 to disengage from the tabs 30 and giving a loose sensation to the container 10. To avoid this, it is possible to separate the threads of cam a distance approximately equal to the length of the tabs 30 (not shown). Thus, the leading edge 40 of the tabs 30 will support the lower side of a first cam thread 38, while a trailing edge 48 of the same tongue 30 will be closely adjacent to the upper side of the next adjacent cam thread 38 This arrangement will be repeated around the cover 14. As you can imagine, this will greatly reduce the amount of free vertical movement between the dome 22 and the ring 20, forcing a uniform rise and brown of the dome 22 with its rotation.

Although it is preferred to have this lifting and uniform brown with the rotation, for the reasons clarified below it is not preferred to separate the threads 38 equal to the tongues 30. Instead, it is preferred that the cam threads 38 be separated twice the length of the tabs 30. To still have this uniform lifting and browning, the side wall of the dome 32 additionally includes a plurality of support threads 50 extending radially therefrom. These support threads 50 are equal in number to the cam threads 38 and have a depth and inclination substantially identical to the threads 38, but each of the support threads 50 being separated from its associated cam thread 38 for such a distance only slightly longer than the length of the tongue 30. As such, there will be an alternative arrangement of cam thread 38, support thread 50, cam thread 38, support thread 50, etc., on the periphery of the side wall of the dome 32. In a manner similar to that described above, the leading edge 40 of a tongue 30 will be in close proximity or in contact with the lower side of the associated cam thread 38, while the rear edge 48 of tab 30 will be in close proximity or in contact with the upper side of the associated support thread 50. As with the first arrangement described, this will greatly reduce the amount of free vertical movement between dome 22 and ring 20, forcing a uniform rise and coffin of dome 22 with its rotation.

In a manner similar to that described above for cam thread 38, it is preferred that one or more of the support threads have an upper resting surface 52 in transition therefrom, and extending in the radial direction opposite to that of the lower resting surfaces 42. The upper surfaces 52 will preferably have a length similar to that of the lower surfaces 42. As can be seen, these upper surfaces 52 will prevent continuous upward or downward movement of the dome 22 with respect to the ring 20. Also similar to the previous arrangement, an upper peripheral flange 54 extends radially outwardly from the upper end

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34 of the side wall of the dome 32, thereby combining with the upper resting surfaces 52 creating one or more grooves to receive the tongue 30 when in the folded position. Also as before, a locking button 46 can protrude from the side wall of the dome 32 within this slot to selectively correspond to a depression 56 on the outer face of the tongue 30.

The tab 30 may include a centrally located coupling depression, such that the depression 47 and the depression 56 are one and the same and will correspond to the upper or lower locking button 46. However, in practice, this does not he prefers, and the tongue 30 will include separate depressions 47 and 56 each located near a respective end of the tongue 30. This is because the tongue 30 must pass over the button 46 through an elastic deformation of the tongue 30 (or more likely the entire wall of rings 24). To provide the desired resistance, however, it is desired that the tabs 30 be relatively long. As such, it is preferred that the two depressions be used at positions relatively close to the ends of the tongue 30 to facilitate this locking function to the user.

Still another variation is preferred for the container 10, allowing this a better assembly. As can be seen, in order to initially mount the dome 22 with the ring 20, the tabs 30 must be elastically deformed to pass over the peripheral flange 44 or the upper peripheral flange 54. To avoid this, it is preferred that the upper peripheral flange be discontinuous, as shown. In particular, the upper peripheral flange will occur only in those areas immediately above the upper resting surfaces 52. This will form separations or openings in the upper flange 54 corresponding to the pairs of threads 38 and 50 containing the tabs 30. As such, dome 22 can descend freely relative to ring 20 when aligned in this way. Ring 20 is mounted to base 12 this is prevented by the base that blocks this movement. However, when the cover 42 is removed from the base 12, this assembly or disassembly of the dome 22 of the ring 20 becomes quite simple.

As can be seen, with this arrangement, the dome 22 can be locked in the expanded or folded position due to the coupling of the buttons 46 with the appropriate depressions 47 or 56, and with the resting surfaces and peripheral flanges that fully support the depressions 30 In this way, the user can lift, transport and carry the container 10 using the handle 18 both in the folded condition and in the expanded condition. Additionally, even during the rotational transition between the expanded and folded positions, the container will feel stable due to the use of the cam threads 38 and the support threads 50 each closely receiving the tabs 30.

From the above, it will be observed that this invention is well adapted to achieve all the purposes and objects that have been set forth above together with the other advantages that are inherent within its structure.

It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are useful and can be used without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated and is within the scope of the claims.

Since many embodiments of the invention can be made possible without departing from the scope thereof, it will be understood that all the matter set forth in this document from that shown in the attached figures is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

When used in this specification and the claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, stages or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, stages or components.

The features disclosed in the above description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for achieving the disclosed result, as appropriate, may be used, separately, or in any combination of said features, to carry out the invention in the various forms thereof.

Claims (7)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 1. An expandable food storage container (10) comprising: a base (12) and a cover (14), said cover (14) being formed by a dome (22) and a support ring (20), wherein said support ring (20) comprises a wall of rings ( 24) having an upper end (26) and a lower end (28), and in which a series of support threads (50) is provided in said dome (22); Y a tongue (30) is provided in said support ring (20); characterized in that: said tab (30) is spaced and is positioned to couple said series of support threads (50); and said tongue (30) and said series of threads (50) are positioned such that the rotation of said dome (22) with respect to said ring wall (24) causes said series of threads (50) to rotate with respect to said tab (30) and cause said dome (22) to move longitudinally up or down with respect to said ring wall (24) such that said cover (14) can move in a folded configuration where said dome ( 22) is mainly received in the support ring (20) to an expanded configuration where the dome (22) extends upward beyond the support ring (20). 2. An expandable food storage container (10) as in claim 1, wherein: a resting surface is provided to prevent a continuous upward or downward movement of said dome (22) with respect to said ring (20). 3. An expandable food storage container (10) as in claim 1, wherein: an upper resting surface (52) is provided to prevent a continuous upward or downward movement of said dome (22) with respect to said ring (20); Y a lower resting surface (42) is provided to prevent a continuous upward or downward movement of said dome (22) with respect to said ring (20). 4. An expandable food storage container (10) as in claim 1, wherein: a lower resting surface (42) is provided to prevent a continuous upward or downward movement of said dome (22) with respect to said ring (20). 5. An expandable food storage container (10) as in claim 2, wherein: a lock button (46) is formed in the dome (22), and the continuous rotation of said dome (22) with respect to said ring wall (24) causes said tongue (30) to pass over said button blocking (46) and due to the elastic deformation it serves to selectively retain said dome (22) against unintended rotation. 6. An expandable food storage container (10) as in claim 3, wherein: a lock button (46) is formed in the dome (22), and the continuous rotation of said dome (22) with respect to said ring wall (24) causes said tongue (30) to pass over said button blocking (46) and due to the elastic deformation it serves to selectively retain said dome (22) against unintended rotation. 7. An expandable food storage container (10) as in claim 4, wherein: a lock button (46) is formed in the dome (22), and the continuous rotation of said dome (22) with respect to said ring wall (24) causes said tongue (30) to pass over said button blocking (46) and due to the elastic deformation it serves to selectively retain said dome (22) against unintended rotation.