GB2562227A

GB2562227A - Food holder

Info

Publication number: GB2562227A
Application number: GB1707311.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tallon Mark
Original assignee: Flowcell Ltd
Current assignee: Flowcell Ltd
Priority date: 2017-05-08
Filing date: 2017-05-08
Publication date: 2018-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-08
Also published as: GB2562227B; GB201707311D0

Abstract

A food container 1 comprising a housing 2 with an internal storage space, with an aperture 4 in the housing and a closure means 5. The closure means comprises a flexible elongated member (30, Fig. 9) arranged to slide between a first and second position wherein in the first position the member blocks the aperture and in the second position the aperture is exposed. The elongated flexible member is arranged to slide in a channel (31, Fig. 9). Ideally, the channel is substantially U-shaped and/or comprises a rib section to grip that wall of the channel to retain the closure in position. The closure means may comprise a handle 6. The wall of the channel may form a wall of the internal storage space. The channel may also terminate in a receptacle (32, Fig. 9) for the flexible elongate member. Preferably the receptacle also defines a wall of the internal storage space. Ideally the holder comprises a drag reducing feature such as pimples. The holder may comprise a kamm tail design. The food holder may also comprise a base plate 3 wherein the housing is slideably attached to the base plate. The base plate may comprise a retaining means (20, Fig. 8) arranged on a resilient member (8, Fig. 8) which prevents relative movements between the base plate and the housing.

Description

Food holder

This invention relates to a food holder. It also relates to a food holder assembly, and a method of attaching a food holder to a base plate.

Background

The field of food holders is a well-developed area of technology. Many food holders are known in the art for the purposes of storing and transporting food for personal consumption. For example, lunch boxes comprising a hinged lid, or lunch bags comprising a flexible outer skin lined with a waterproof inner skin. Such food holders may include handles or straps so that they can be carried by a user.

The present invention concerns an improved food holder, in particular for attachment to a vehicle, such as a bicycle. When a user rides a vehicle it is usually inconvenient for them to carry a food holder on their back, e.g. using a back pack, as the straps of the back pack may chafe and irritate the user. Carrying food holders in this way can also create air drag, which can reduce vehicle speed. Food holders with handles are not only inconvenient, but also dangerous, as a user requires both hands to safely operate the vehicle.

Prior art food holders for bicycles are known. However, prior art food holders suffer from certain drawbacks. For example, some can only be attached to bikes that had pre-drilled frame holes, the opening may be narrow making it difficult to access food stored in the interior, food holders attached to the steering column can restrict the turning range of the bicycle, in food holders having zips for the opening said zips can corrode and snap off, in food holders having hook and loop fasteners for the opening said hook and look fasteners can become separated allowing food to bounce out of the holder.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome some of the drawbacks set out above. This aim is achieved by providing a food holder that has a closure means that comprises a flexible elongate member arranged for sliding movement in a channel in the food holder. Additional technical benefits are achieved by the invention as set out in the description below.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a food holder comprising: a housing containing an internal storage space; an aperture in the housing, providing access to the internal storage space; and a closure means having a first position in which the closure means blocks the aperture and a second position in which the closure means does not block the aperture, wherein the closure means comprises a flexible elongate member arranged for sliding movement in a channel in the housing, said sliding movement moving the closure means between the first and second positions.

The channel could have a substantially U-shaped portion.

The flexible elongate member could comprise a ribbed section. Said ribbed section could be adapted to grip a wall of the channel to retain the closure means at a plurality of intermediate positions between the first and second positions.

The closure means could comprise a handle. A wall of the channel could form a wall of the internal storage space.

The channel could terminate in a receptacle for the flexible elongate member. A wall of said receptacle could form a wall ofthe internal storage space.

The food holder could comprise a drag reducing feature on an external surface thereof. Said drag reducing feature could comprise a plurality of dimples.

The food holder could comprise a kamm tail. Said kamm tail could comprise a plurality of dimples on an external surface thereof.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a food holder assembly comprising a food holder according as described above and a base plate, wherein a surface of the housing comprises a flange, and wherein the base plate comprises a slot configured to receive a flange on the housing and to secure the food holder to the base plate.

The base plate could comprise a retaining means arranged on a resilient member, the retaining means preventing sliding movement of the housing relative to base plate when the housing is secured to the base plate.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attaching a food holder to a base plate, the food holder comprising a housing containing an internal storage space, an aperture in the housing providing access to the internal storage space, and a closure means having a first position in which the closure means blocks the aperture and a second position in which the closure means does not block the aperture, wherein the closure means comprises a flexible elongate member arranged for sliding movement in a channel in the housing, said sliding movement moving the closure means between the first and second positions, and wherein a surface of the housing comprises a flange, the base plate comprising a slot configured to receive the flange, the method comprising the steps of: lowering the food holder onto the base plate, such that the slot of the base plate is aligned with the flange of the housing along a sliding path; and sliding the housing with respect to the base plate along the sliding path until the projection is engaged with the recess and the flange is engaged with the slot.

Detailed description

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a food holder assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 schematically shows a side view of the food holder assembly of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 schematically shows a view of the food holder assembly of Fig. 1 from beneath;

Fig. 4 schematically shows a view of the food holder assembly of Fig. 1 from above; Fig. 5 schematically shows a view of the food holder assembly of Fig. 1 from the front;

Fig. 6 schematically shows a view of the food holder assembly of Fig. 1 from behind; Fig. 7 schematically shows a view of the food holder assembly of Fig. 1 prior to attachment of the food holder to the base plate;

Fig. 8 schematically shows the same view as Fig. 7 in partial cutaway;

Fig. 9 schematically shows the same view as Fig. 1 in cutaway;

Fig. 10 schematically shows the same view as Fig. 9 with the closure means moved towards an open position;

Fig. 11 schematically shows the same view as Fig. 10 with the closure means shown fully;

Fig. 12 shows a side view of the food holder assembly of Fig. 1 with the food holder lowered onto the base plate, but prior to the food holder being slid with respect to the base plate; and

Fig. 13 schematically shows a perspective view of a food holder assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a food holder assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The food holder assembly comprises a food holder 1, comprising a housing 2, and a base plate 3. The housing 2 comprises an aperture 4 which is closed by a closure means 5. The closure means 5 is shown in a closed position where it blocks the aperture 4. The closure means 5 comprises a handle 6, which a user can hold to provide extra grip when moving the closure means between closed and open positions.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a side view of the food holder assembly of Fig. 1. In this view, attachment means 7a, 7b are visible projecting beneath the lower surface of the base plate 3. The attachment means 7a, 7b are designed to engage with complementary attachment means on a vehicle (e.g. a bicycle) or any other suitable supporting element. Also visible in this view is a resilient member 8 which can be seen projecting past the rear surface of the base plate 3. This will be described in more detail below.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a view of the food holder assembly of Fig. 1 from beneath. The attachment means 7a, 7b and the resilient member 8 are again visible. The base plate 3 is necessary to provide the apertures for the attachment means 7a, 7b, as a receptacle for the closure means 5 (described with reference to Fig. 9 below) in a lower portion of the food holder 1 prevents apertures from being drilled directly into the bottom of the food holder 1 itself.

In this view, three lateral holes 15a, 15b, 15c are visible on one side ofthe base plate 3. A further three lateral holes 15d, 15e, 15f are visible on the opposite side of the base plate 3. The holes 15a-d are sized so that three Velcro (RTM) straps (not shown) may be passed through. Hole 15a represents an entry point for a first Velcro (RTM) strap and hole 15d represents an exit point for the first Velcro (RTM) strap. Hole 15b represents an entry point for a second Velcro (RTM) strap and hole 15e represents an exit point for the second Velcro (RTM) strap. Hole 15c represents an entry point for a third Velcro (RTM) strap and hole 15d represents an exit point for the third Velcro (RTM) strap. Once passed through the holes 15a-d, the three Velcro (RTM) straps can be passed around a frame member of a bicycle and fastened to themselves to secure the base plate 3 to the bicycle. The Velcro (RTM) straps can be used instead of, or in addition to the attachments means 7a, 7b. In the above, the entry I exit points can be reversed, and the straps fed through in the opposite direction.

While the above has been described with reference to Velcro (RTM) straps, other hook and loop fasteners could be used in practice. Alternatively, flexible members without hook and loop fasteners could be used, for example strings, ropes or chains, elastic bands, zip ties or bungee cords. Instead of being attached to themselves using a fastener, these could simply be tied to themselves using knots. A combination of any of the above could be used for the first, second and third straps.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a view of the food holder assembly of Fig. 1 from above.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a view of the food holder assembly of Fig. 1 from the front.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a view of the food holder assembly of Fig. 1 from behind.

Fig. 7 schematically shows a view of the food holder assembly of Fig. 1 prior to attachment of the food holder 1 to the base plate 3. Attachment means 7a, 7b can be seen to comprise bolts projecting through respective holes in the base plate 3, with the bolt heads being accessible from the upper surface of the base plate 3 when the food holder 1 is not secured to it.

The housing 2 of the food holder 1 comprises three laterally projecting flanges 9a, 9b, 9c on one side, and three laterally projecting flanges on the other side (not visible). The base plate 3 comprises three gaps (only two gaps 10a, 10b are easily visible in Fig. 7) on each side corresponding to the flanges, i.e. they are sized so that the flanges may pass through the gaps when the food holder 1 is lowered onto the base plate 3.

The base plate 3 further comprises three slots (only one slot 11a is easily visible in Fig. 7) on each side into which the flanges may be received when the food holder 1 is slid with respect to the base plate 3 in the lowered position. Lowering the flanges through their respective gaps ensures that each of the flanges is aligned with its respective slot along a sliding path. Relative sliding of the food holder 1 with respect to the base plate 3 in this lowered position will cause each of the flanges to be engaged with a corresponding slot, and so secure the food holder 1 to the base plate 3.

The resilient member 8 carries a retaining member 20. The resilient member 8 is upwardly biased. When the food holder 1 is lowered onto the base plate 3, a lower surface of the housing 2 deflects the retaining member 20 and the resilient member 8 downwardly. Once sliding movement of the food holder 1 with respect to the base plate 3 has been effected, the lower surface of the housing 2 moves past the retaining member 20. The resilient member 8 ceases to be deflected, and so it moves upwardly. This also moves the retaining member 20 upwardly until it moves to a position where it projects above the lower surface of the housing 2, and rearward of the rear surface of the housing 2.

In this position, sliding movement of the food holder 1 cannot occur, as the retaining member 20 blocks rearward movement of the food holder 1. At the same time, vertical movement of the food holder 1 cannot occur due to the engagement of the flanges of the housing 2 with the slots of the base plate 3. Consequently, the food holder 1 is secured on the base plate 3. A user can remove the food holder 1 from the base plate 3 by manually depressing the resilient member 8 to move the retaining member 20 to a point below the lower surface of the housing 2, and at the same time sliding the food holder 1 relative to the base plate 3 until the flanges of the housing 2 align with the gaps of the base plate 3. The user will then be able to move the food holder 1 vertically until the food holder 1 is clear of the base plate 3.

Fig. 8 schematically shows the same view as Fig. 7 in partial cutaway. In this view the three gaps 10d, 10e, 10f on the far side of the base plate are visible, as well as the three slots 11 d, 11 e, 11f

Fig. 9 schematically shows the same view as Fig. 1 in cutaway. The food holder 1 is secured on the base plate 3.

In this view, the closure means 5 can be seen in more detail. The closure means comprises a flexible elongate member 30. The housing 2 is formed of a polycarbonate I acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blend, which gives a high impact strength and tolerance to both hot and cold temperatures. The flexible elongate member 30 is formed of a liner low density polyethylene, which is durable and resistant to stress whitening, while still being flexible.

The flexible elongate member 30 has a ribbed underside, which allows the flexible elongate member 30 to more easily bend about its lower surface. A portion 30a of the flexible elongate member 30, distal from the handle 5, is received in an upper end of a channel 31 in the housing 2. The channel 31 is formed of inner and outer U-shaped walls, such that the channel 31 is itself substantially U-shaped. The inner U-shaped wall also forms a wall of the interior storage space of the food holder 1. A lower end of the channel 31 is connected to a receptacle 32. The receptacle 32 is sized such that it (along with the channel 31) can accommodate enough of the flexible member 30 to enable the handle 5 to be pulled across the aperture 4 to move the closure means 5 to an open position, in which a user can access the interior storage space of the food holder 1. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 the receptacle 32 and channel 31 together can accommodate substantially all of the flexible member 30. The ribbed underside also has the effect of minimising the surface area of the flexible elongate member 30 that contacts the inner wall of the channel 31, which allows the closure means to slide more easily.

An upper wall of the receptacle 32 also forms a wall of the interior storage space of the food holder 1. The walls of the channel 31 and the receptacle 32 forming walls of the interior storage space gives the food holder greater compactness compared to providing separate walls for these components.

Fig. 10 schematically shows the same view as Fig. 9 with the closure means 5 moved towards an open position. The elongate flexible member 30 now fills the channel 31 completely, and the portion 30a will enter the receptacle 32 if the handle 6 is pulled any further to the left.

At this point, the ribbed surface of the flexible elongate member 30 grips the inner wall of the channel 31 and holds the closure member 5 in this position, preventing accidental sliding of the closure member 5 either towards the fully open or fully closed positions. In this way, the closure member 5 may adopt a plurality of intermediate positions between the fully open or fully closed positions. This can be useful where a user requires access to the interior storage space (e.g. to remove an item), but does not wish to fully open the closure means 5 (e.g. because high winds may cause items to be blown out of the interior storage space is the closure means 5 is fully opened and the entire aperture 4 is uncovered).

In this view, it can be seen that the housing 2 comprises a groove 33 at an edge of the aperture 4. The closure means 5 comprises a flange 34 that fits into the groove 33, and ensures that the closure means cannot move vertically up out of the aperture 4 or down into the internal storage space of the food holder 1, but is constrained for sliding movement only. While only one groove 33 and flange 34 is visible, the food holder is symmetrical and a similar groove I flange combination is present on the opposing side. One or both side portions of the flexible elongate member 30 may also fit into this groove to form a seal between the flexible elongate member and the edges of the aperture 4. A foam material may sit in the groove 33 above the flexible elongate member 30 to help prevent water from entering the food holder and to reduce friction between the elongate member and the walls of the groove 33. A similar strip of foam may be present beneath the base plate 3 to prevent the base plate from scratching a frame member of a bicycle to which the base plate 3 is attached in use. Both strips of foam may be formed of closed cell neoprene, or closed cell ethylene propylene diene monomer. A polytetrafluoroethylene laminate may be applied to the foam material to reduce friction.

Fig. 11 schematically shows the same view as Fig. 10 with the closure means 5 shown fully. In this view, the full width of the closure means 5 is shown, and so the opposing flange 35, referred to in the preceding paragraph, is visible.

It can also be seen in Fig. 11 that the groove 33 comprises a projection 36, and that the closure means 5 comprises a corresponding recess 37. When the closure means 5 is in the fully closed position the projection 36 engages in the recess 37 to hold the closure means 5 firmly in this position. This ensures that the closure means 5 does not accidentally open due to, e.g. vibrations during transit. However, when a user pulls on the handle 6, the closure means 5 will deflect the projection downwardly out of the recess 37 and allow the closure means 5 to slide relative to the housing 2.

Fig. 12 shows a side view of the food holder assembly of Fig. 1 with the food holder 1 lowered onto the base plate 3, but prior to the food holder 1 being slid with respect to the base plate 3.

As described previously, in this lowered position of the food holder 1 a lower surface L of the food holder 1 deflects the retaining member (not visible) downwardly, and so moves the resilient member 8 downwardly as well. Each of the flanges of the flanges of the food holder 1 is aligned with a respective slot along a sliding path. A user may slide the food holder 1 with respect to the base plate 3 in the direction indicated by arrow R. This will cause each of the flanges to be engaged with a corresponding slot, and so secure the food holder 2 to the base plate 3.

The lower surface L of the food holder 1 can be seen to comprise a shaped surface 40. The base plate 3 comprises a correspondingly shaped surface 41. When the food holder 1 is secured to the base plate 3, the shaped surface 40 and the correspondingly shaped surface 41 bear against one another to form a tight seal. A plurality of dimples D are present in the outer surface of the housing 2 of the food holder 1. These have the effect of disrupting air flowing over the outer surface of the housing 2 when the food holder moves through the air, e.g. when a vehicle to which the food holder is attached is in motion. The disruption to the air flow converts the laminar boundary layer, which would typically be present for smooth-sided food holders, into a turbulent boundary layer. This reduces the thickness of the wake following the food holder and therefore reduces air drag. Golf balls have similar dimples operate, and operate on a similar principle. The dimples can be circular or elliptical, and may have varying depths.

To further improve the aerodynamics of the food holder 1, the “tail end” of the food holder 1, i.e. the end towards the rear of a bicycle to which the food holder 1 is attached, is shaped into a kamm tail (also known as a K-tail) which is a shape which produces a small wake and correspondingly small amount of drag as it passes through the air. In the embodiment described in the Figures, the tail end of the food holder 1 is the end distal from the resilient member 8.

Fig. 13 schematically shows a perspective view of a food holder assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. The food holder is identical to that described with respect to Figs. 1-12 except for the addition of a plurality of dimples T (only three of the plurality of dimples are indicated) on the K-tail.

The plurality of dimples T is in the form of three columns spaced along the K-tail. Only one side is shown, however a corresponding plurality of dimples are also present on the opposite side of the K-tail. These dimples T improve the aerodynamic properties of the food holder by the mechanism described above.

Aerodynamic aspects

As mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, the food holder has features which improve the aerodynamics of the food holder. These are especially desirable for applications of the food holder where the food holder assembly is affixed to an exterior surface of a vehicle, e.g. a bicycle. For vehicles powered by a fuel source (e.g. electricity or petroleum), improved aerodynamics can lead to reduced fuel consumption. For manually powered vehicles, improved aerodynamics can reduce the amount of effort required by a user to propel the vehicle and / or increase the speed of the vehicle. Both of these effects are particularly beneficial when the vehicle is being used in a race. A number of tests have been performed on exemplary embodiments of the food holder of the present invention using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to attempt to quantify the improvements in aerodynamics. The data produced by these tests is given below: i) K-Tail effects on drag (measurements taken at sea level pressure, 20°C, using wind of 40kmph at a yaw angle of Oo, i.e. flowing longitudinally long the food holder hitting the ‘head’ (the opposite end to the tail) of the food holder)

Food holder assembly only with square end (dimples present on sides) = Drag 0.022N

Food holder assembly only with K-Tail (dimples present on sides) = Drag 0.013N

Conclusion: The K-Tail design results in 41% less drag with wind hitting head-on (Oo) travelling at 40kph. ii) Dimple on K-Tail Effects on Drag (measurements again using wind of 40kmph at a yaw angle of Oo, i.e. flowing longitudinally long the food holder assembly hitting the ‘head’ (the opposite end to the tail) of the food holder)

Food holder assembly only, with K-tail but with dimples on sides only = Drag 0.013N Food holder assembly only, with dimples on sides and on K-Tail = Drag 0.011N

Conclusion: Adding dimples to the K-Tail of the current design (i.e. with dimples on the sides) reduces drag by 15.4% iii) Effects of headwind yaw angle

Food holder assembly with 14 degree yaw (14o) applied to headwind

Food holder assembly only, with dimples on sides only (current design) = Drag 0.049N

Food holder assembly only, with dimples on sides plus dimples on k-tail = Drag 0.048N

Conclusion: Dimples on the K-Tail reduces drag by an additional 2% when a yaw angle of 14o head wind is applied. v) Overall conclusions • Addition of a K-Tail significantly (41%) reduces drag compared to square shaped tail. • Addition of dimples to the K-Tail reduces drag moderately (15.4%) compared to a K-Tail without dimples. • In a yaw of 14o, adding dimples the K-Tail significantly reduces drag by a small amount (2%) compared to a K-Tail without dimples. N.B. In each of the above, “Food holder assembly only” is used to indicate that measurements were taken on the food holder assembly in isolation, i.e. without a bicycle frame in place. All of the above measurements assume a "standard" sea level air density of 1.225 kg/mA3.

Alternative arrangements

The invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed above, and other possibilities will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For examples, while the drag reducing features in the above exemplary embodiments are dimples, alternative drag reducing features within the knowledge of the skilled person could be used as appropriate, e.g. spoilers, aerofoils, etc. Additionally, while the flexible elongate member in the above embodiments has a ribbed inner surface, this surface could also be smooth.

Claims

1. A food holder comprising: a housing containing an internal storage space; an aperture in the housing, providing access to the internal storage space; and a closure means having a first position in which the closure means blocks the aperture and a second position in which the closure means does not block the aperture, wherein the closure means comprises a flexible elongate member arranged for sliding movement in a channel in the housing, said sliding movement moving the closure means between the first and second positions.

2. A food holder according to claim 1, wherein the channel has a substantially U-shaped portion.

3. A food holder according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flexible elongate member comprises a ribbed section.

4. A food holder according to claim according to claim 3, wherein the ribbed section is adapted to grip a wall of the channel to retain the closure means at a plurality of intermediate positions between the first and second positions.

5. A food holder according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure means comprises a handle.

6. A food holder according to any preceding claim, wherein a wall of the channel forms a wall of the internal storage space.

7. A food holder according to any preceding claim, wherein the channel terminates in a receptacle for the flexible elongate member.

8. A food holder according to claim 7, wherein a wall of the receptacle forms a wall of the internal storage space.

9. A food holder according to any preceding claim, comprising a drag reducing feature on an external surface thereof.

10. A food holder according to claim 9, wherein the drag reducing feature comprises a plurality of dimples.

11. A food holder according to any preceding claim comprising a kamm tail.

12. A food holder according to claim 11, wherein the kamm tail comprises a plurality of dimples on an external surface thereof.

13. A food holder assembly comprising a food holder according to any preceding claim and a base plate, wherein a surface of the housing comprises a flange, and wherein the base plate comprises a slot configured to receive a flange on the housing and to secure the food holder to the base plate.

14. A food holder assembly according to claim 13, wherein the base plate comprises a retaining means arranged on a resilient member, the retaining means preventing sliding movement of the housing relative to base plate when the housing is secured to the base plate.

15. A method of attaching a food holder to a base plate, the food holder comprising a housing containing an internal storage space, an aperture in the housing providing access to the internal storage space, and a closure means having a first position in which the closure means blocks the aperture and a second position in which the closure means does not block the aperture, wherein the closure means comprises a flexible elongate member arranged for sliding movement in a channel in the housing, said sliding movement moving the closure means between the first and second positions, and wherein a surface of the housing comprises a flange, the base plate comprising a slot configured to receive the flange, the method comprising the steps of: lowering the food holder onto the base plate, such that the slot of the base plate is aligned with the flange of the housing along a sliding path; and sliding the housing with respect to the base plate along the sliding path until the projection is engaged with the recess and the flange is engaged with the slot.