MX2014004572A

MX2014004572A - Expanding food storage container.

Info

Publication number: MX2014004572A
Application number: MX2014004572A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Jean-Marie Decraim
Original assignee: Dart Ind Inc
Priority date: 2013-04-16
Filing date: 2014-04-15
Publication date: 2014-10-15
Also published as: US20140305935A1; CN104108514B; CA2847318A1; EP2792608A1; CN104108514A; BR102014009218A2; AU2014201882B2; MX345012B; HUE029227T2; EP2792608B1; PL2792608T3; ES2576131T3; AU2014201882A1; BR102014009218B1

Abstract

An expanding food storage container includes a base and a cover. The cover includes a support ring and a dome having a side wall closely received in the support ring. The support ring includes spaced tabs extending toward the side wall of the dome. The outer face of the dome sidewall includes a plurality of camming threads and support threads extending outward along helical paths. There is a pair of threads for each tab, with the threads spaced peripherally to closely receive the associated tab therebetween. Rotation of the dome with respect to the support ring causes the threads to ride up or down the tabs, raising or lowering the dome with respect to the support ring. The upper and lower ends of the threads include a horizontal slot which closely receives the associated tab. The tab includes a depression near its end which receives a lock button extending outward from the dome sidewall within the slot. The lock button may be selectively received within the depression to selectively secure the dome in the expanded or collapsed position.

Description

EXPANDABLE FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to home food storage containers. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved food storage container that can be expanded or retracted as needed for storage or use.

Background of the Invention It is well known to provide a base with cover for storing or transporting food. The cover can be removed of course to present or serve the food in the base. A common problem with this arrangement is the need to accommodate different amounts of food. For example, a base may have a cover that is slightly domed which together define a closed space for storage. However, some larger items of food, such as a roast meat or a tall pie, can not be adjusted within this enclosed space. The unusual solution to this problem is to provide a second cover that has a larger dome that will accommodate the larger item of food. This solution has disadvantages since it requires the purchase of a second cover, as well as an increased storage space necessary for the two covers.

Brief Description of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an expandable food storage container with a base and a cover where the cover can be selectively expanded or collapsed as needed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cover for a food storage container that can be expanded or collapsed as needed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an expandable cover that can be secured in the expanded or collapsed positions.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide this expandable cover that can suspend the entire container and the food in either the expanded or collapsed positions.

These and other objects are achieved by an expandable food storage container. The cover includes a support ring and a dome having a side wall received tightly in the support ring. The support ring includes spaced tabs extending towards the side wall of the dome. The outer face of the side wall of the dome includes a plurality of cam-like threads and support threads extending outwardly along helical paths. There are a couple of rocks for each tongue, with the peripherally spaced threads for tightly receiving the associated tongue therebetween. The rotation of the dome as regards the support ring causes the threads to mount the tabs above or below, raising or lowering the dome with respect to the support ring. The upper and lower ends of the threads include a horizontal slot that tightly receives the associated tab. The tongue includes a depression near its end that receives a locking button that extends outwardly from the side wall of the dome into the slot. The locking button can be selectively received within the depression to selectively secure the dome in the expanded or collapsed position.

Brief Description of the Figures The objects and features of the invention noted above are explained in more detail with reference to the figures, in which like reference numbers denote 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 collapsed configuration; Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the container cover in the expanded configuration; Figure 3 is a perspective view, upper, with separation of parts thereof; Figure 4 is a side view of the container cover in the expanded configuration; Figure 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view along the line 5-5; Y Figure 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view along the line 6 -6.

Detailed description of the invention With reference to Figure 1, a collapsible food storage container according to the present invention is designated generally by the 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 can alternatively be a deep or shallow bowl. The cover 14 can be secured to the base 12, such as by a peripheral sealing seal commonly known for food storage containers, a series of fixing clamp tongues, etc., as is known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the cover 14 is selectively secured to the base 12 by a known arrangement of a fixing tongue 16 received within a coupling opening in the base 12, as shown in US D389,018.

As will be discussed more fully below, securing the cover 14 to the base 12 allows the user to lift the complete unit (with the food inside) using a handle 18 on the top of the cover 14.

Since the base can be of a variety of shapes, and the invention resides primarily on the cover 14, the subsequent description and most 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 tongues 30 spaced around the periphery of the upper end 26 and extending radially inwardly.

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 made of a size such that one will fit snugly within the other but still allow free relative rotation and free longitudinal movement between the two. A series of cam threads 38 extends radially outward from the side wall 32 and has a shape helical 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 become a size to overlap. The threads 38 also separate or space around the periphery of the side wall 32 in a similar manner corresponding to the spacing or spacing of the tabs 30, and it is desired that there be at least one thread 38 associated with each tab 30. Additionally, where there is a thread associated with each tab 30, the threads 38 will all be spaced to have contact with an edge of its associated tab. For example, in the preferred embodiment shown, the threads are straight, and when viewed from above the threads 38 will engage all of the tabs 30 at the right edge of the tabs 30 such that the cam thread 38 is on top (instead of to be below) of the tab 30. Noted otherwise, the cam threads 38 will each make contact with an entry edge 40 of the tabs 30.

Given the overlapping nature of the threads 38 to the tabs 30, it can be seen that the dome 22 is supported by the lower part of the threads 38 that rest on the associated tabs 30 at the entrance edge 40. It can also be seen that the 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 the screw moving in or out during placement or removal. In this way, it can be seen that the cover 14 can be moved from a collapsed configuration where the dome 22 is received primarily 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 collapse, it can be seen that the volume enclosed within the cover 14 will increase as the cover 14 expands and will decrease as it collapses.

The tabs 30 and the cam threads 38 will support the dome 22 and hold them against gravity relative to the support ring 20. However, the cam threads 38 are tilted, and this support can not be as stable as desired. To assist in holding the dome 22 in the expanded position, one or more of the cam threads 38 can travel to a lower resting surface 42. Each of the lower resting surfaces 42 takes the form of a radially outwardly extending flange that it extends horizontally around a portion of the periphery of the side wall 32 of the dome parallel to the lower end 36. The depth of the surfaces 42 are preferably equal to that of the cam threads 38. The length of the rest surfaces 42 is such as to allow the tabs 30 to receive below them a sufficient amount to provide a stable rest position against gravity for the dome 22 when in the expanded position of Figures 2 and 4.

While not required, it is preferred that the resting surface 42 be spaced or apart from the lower end 36, and that the lower end 36 include a peripheral flange 44 extending radially outward thereof and having a depth similar to that of the surfaces 42. The spacing between the surfaces 42 and the peripheral flange preferably forms a sliding closure fit around the associated tabs 30. This will provide a stable feeling to the user when in the expanded position.

It is also possible to form a locking button 46 projecting radially outward from the side wall 32 of the dome at a position between the resting surface 42 and the peripheral flange 44. The tongue 30 will then include a radially extending coupling depression 47. into. 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 which causes the tongue 30 to mount on the clamping button 46 due to the elastic deformation until the button 46 is received within the coupling depression 47. This will serve to selectively hold the dome 22 against unintentional rotation. Additionally, the tabs 30 that are received snugly 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 position, very safe. Actually, this may be to allow transportation of the fully loaded container 10 in this expanded position. Still, the user can manually turn the dome 22 in the opposite direction to cause the tab 30 to mount over the button 46 again to release the dome and allow it to move to the collapsed position.

As they move between the expanded and collapsed positions, the cam threads 38 will support the dome 22 against gravity as described. However, there may be a tendency for the user to raise the dome 22 during rotation, causing the cam threads 38 to disengage from the tabs 30 and giving a loose feeling to the container 10. To avoid this, it is possible to space or separate the cam threads at a distance approximately equal to the length of the tabs 30 (not shown). In this way the entrance edge 40 of the tabs 30 will support the underside of a first cam thread 38, while an exit edge 48 of the same tab 30 will be tightly adjacent to the upper side of the next adjacent cam thread 38. This arrangement will be repd around the cover 14. As can be imagined, this will for the most part reduce the amount of free vertical movement between the dome 22 and the ring 20, by forcing a smooth rise and rise of the dome 22 with its rotation.

While it is preferred to have this lifting and smooth running with the rotation, for reasons clear axes later it is not preferred to separate or space the threads 38 equal to the tabs 30. Instead, it is preferred that the cam threads 38 be separated or spaced twice the length of the tabs 30. To still have this lift and smooth down, the side wall 32 of the dome additionally includes a plurality of support threads 50 extending radially therefrom. These support threads 50 are in equal number to the cam threads 38 and have a depth and pitch substantially identical to the threads 38, but with each of the support threads 50 which is spaced from its associated cam thread 38 by a distance just slightly grr than the length of the tongue 30. As such, there will be an alternating arrangement of cam thread 38, support thread 50, thread of cam 38, support thread 50, etc., around the periphery of side wall 32 of the dome. In a manner similar to that described above, the leading edge 40 of a tongue 30 will be in close proximity to or in contact with the lower side of the associated cam thread 38, while the trailing edge 48 of the tongue 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 reduce for the most part the amount of free vertical movement between the dome 22 and ring 20, forcing a smooth rise and fall of the dome 22 with its rotation.

In a manner similar to that described above for the cam thread 38, it is preferred that one or more of the support threads have an upper resting surface 52 that transits therefrom, and that extends 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, this upper surface 52 will prevent continuous downward movement of the dome 22 with respect to the ring 20 Also in a manner similar to the pre-arrangement, an upper peripheral flange 54 extends radially outward from the upper end 34 of the side wall 32. of the dome, thereby combining with the upper resting surfaces 52 crng one or more slots for receiving the tab 30 when in the collapsed position. Also as before, a locking button 46 may protrude from the side wall 32 of the dome into this slot to selectively engage with a depression 56 in the underside of the tab 30.

The tongue 30 can include a centrally located coupling depression, such that the depression 47 and the depression 56 are one and the same and will engage with either the upper or lower fastening button 46. However, practice, this it is not preferred, 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 mount over the button 46 by elastic deformation of the tongue 30 (or more likely the complete wall 24 of rings). To provide the desired strength, however, it is desirable that the tabs 30 be relatively long. As such, it is preferred that two depressions are used in the positions relatively close to the ends of the tongue 30 to make it easier to perform this fastening function for the user.

Still another variation is preferred for the container 10, which allows for an improved assembly. How can contemplate to initially mount the dome 22 with the ring 20, the tabs 30 must be elastically deformed to mount on either 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 FIG. sample. In particular, the upper peripheral flange will present only in those areas immediately above the upper resting surfaces 52. This will form gaps or openings in the upper flange 54 corresponding to the pairs of threads 38 and 50 that contain the tabs 30. As such, the dome 22 can fall freely downward relative to the ring 20 when it is aligned in this way. The ring 20 is mounted to the base 12 which is prevented by the base blocking 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 fixed in either the expanded or collapsed 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 collapsed condition and in the condition expanded. Additionally, even during the rotational transition between the expanded and collapsed positions, the container will feel stable due to the use of the cam threads 38 and the support threads 50 each receiving tightly the tabs 30.

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

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

Since many possible embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from it, it is to be understood that all of the material set forth herein and shown in the appended Figures is to be construed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. An expandable food storage container, comprising: a base and a cover, the cover that is formed of a dome and a ring wall.

2. An expandable food storage container according to claim 1, wherein: A series of support threads is provided between the dome and the ring wall.

3. An expandable food storage container according to claim 1, wherein: a series of support threads is provided in the dome; Y a tongue is provided on the cover; and the tongue is spaced and positioned to couple the series of support threads; Y the tongue and the series of threads are located so that the rotation of the dome in relation to the ring wall causes the series of threads to rotate relative to the tongue and cause the dome to move longitudinally upwards or downwards with respect to to the ring wall.

4. An expandable food storage container according to claim 3, wherein: a resting surface is provided for prevent the continuous movement upwards or downwards of the dome with respect to the ring.

5. An expandable food storage container according to claim 3, wherein: an upper resting surface is provided to prevent the forward or downward movement of the dome with respect to the ring; Y a lower rest surface is provided to prevent upward or downward movement of the dome with respect to the ring.

6. An expandable food storage container according to claim 3, wherein: a lower rest surface is provided to prevent upward or downward movement of the dome with respect to the ring.

7. An expandable food storage container according to claim 6, wherein: a fixing button is formed in the dome, and the continuous rotation of the dome in relation to the ring wall causes the tongue to mount on the fixing button and due to the elastic deformation serves to selectively retain the dome against rotation not proposed

8. An expandable food storage container according to claim 5, wherein: a fixing button is formed in the dome, and the Continuous rotation of the dome in relation to the ring wall causes the tongue to ride over the fastening button and due to the elastic deformation serves to selectively retain the dome against unproposed rotation.

9. An expandable food storage container according to claim 4, wherein: a fixing button is formed in the dome, and the continuous rotation of the dome in relation to the ring wall causes the tongue to mount on the fixing button and due to the elastic deformation serves to selectively retain the dome against rotation not proposed