MXPA97000463A - Container for food with dispositivodistribui - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container for distributing and storing food comprising a receptacle including a peripheral wall that extends vertically, a closed bottom and an open top, said peripheral wall and said bottom define an inner receptacle, a carrier vertically slidable within said inner receptacle between a storage position adjacent said bottom of the receptacle and a dispensing position vertically separated above said bottom of the receptacle, said carrier includes a bottom and a handle centrally attached to said bottom of the holder and which they extend vertically therefrom, said handle is hollow and includes an open upper end, and an implement for coupling and lifting food from the interior of the receptacle, said implement being slidably received within said hollow handle through the open upper end thereof , and means on dic ho handle and the aforementioned implement to limit the relative limiting movement between them when said implement is received within said hobby

Description

CONTAINER FOR FOOD WITH DISTRIBUTOR DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a container for use in the storage and distribution of foodstuffs wherein the food product normally comprises many relatively small articles that are preferably distributed individually. Examples of such foodstuffs include pickles, olives, pickled onions, cocktail sausages, pieces of cheese, pieces of fruits and vegetables, and the like. Examples of said containers will be observed in the following two patents, commonly filed with the present application: Soiicitud_ de. Patent inyentor 4,179,040 Bateman et al. ,082,135 DeCoster In each instance, a vertically movable insert is provided to lift the food product to the open upper mouth of the container to facilitate access thereto. In addition, when lifting the food product there is a tendency to separate the food product from any preservative liquid or similar liquid in the container. In the DeCoster Patent, the tray is raised, with a slight rotation thereof relative to the receptacle, is supported at the top in the dispensing position. Summary of the invention The container of the present invention, although intended to generally use the previously described form of the patented containers, incorporates aspects that only improve its practicality. In this regard, it is intended that the container be capable of accommodating large food products and / or large quantities of food products both by making the same container with a larger internal volume and to provide means to adequately contain and providing access to the volume. largest content. This includes the provision of a vertically movable internal carrier or insert with a high peripheral wall and a single handle with a central stem which in turn is the base of an implement similar to a fork or a removable fork for selective use in separation. of individual foods, food slices, and the like. To further improve the practicality of the container of the invention, it is desirable for the container to have an attractive appearance, be easy to handle and quickly acceptable as a bowl or serving container on the dining table.

Basically, the container comprises a generally open-topped cylindrical receptacle, a vertically slidable sandwich carrier or insert within the movable receptacle from the fully inserted position to maximize the usable internal volume of the container to a stable raised position to facilitate access to the contents of the container, and an implement to separate the individual products. The implement, when not in use, is stored telescopically within the single handle of the central stem of the carrier. The internal carrier includes a bottom approximately coextensive with the bottom of the container and directly engageable therewith in the inserted or full position in the carrier. The bottom of the carrier includes openings therethrough which allow it to drain off any liquids from the food product as the carrier is lifted. The actual handling of the carrier is performed by a hollow rod that extends vertically in the center having opposite depressions to be held with the fingers. The carrier further includes a peripheral wall of a height equal to about half the height of the container whereby the supplies in and within the carrier are properly retained. The wall of the carrier includes a series of vertical depressions formed therein which slidably engage a series of similar vertical ribs extending inwardly from the interior surface of the wall of the receptacle so as to provide a guide element for vertically raising the carrier. The ribs end in superior protrusions that, by lifting the carrier above them and rotating the carrier relative to the receptacle, supports the carrier in a raised position. The distributor implement is elongated and has a pair of clamping and / or penetration teeth at the lower end thereof. The upper end of the implement has a generally flat transverse head, the opposite sides of which are received within the diametrically opposed vertical grooves in the upper portion of the rod handle both to limit the downward movement of the implement within the handle and to allow the handle and the implement rotate as a unit. Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the more detailed description of the invention that follows. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the container comprising the invention; Figure 2 is a vertical cross section through the container with the carrier completely depressed therein and the implement seated within the handle; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2 with the carrier lifted and partially rotated to the supported position on the ribs of the receptacle; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the three components of the container; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the carrier thereof; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the implement similar to a fork; Figure 7 is an additional perspective view of the implement; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through the carrier taken substantially on a plane passing along the line 8-8 in Figure 5; Figure 9 is a top plan view of the carrier; and Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the carrier. Description. of the Preferred Mood With reference now more specifically to the drawings, the container 10 includes a receptacle 12, a carrier insert 14 and an implement or utensil 16 for handling food. The combined carrier and implement provide means to facilitate the distribution of container contents. The receptacle 12 is cylindrical and includes a generally flat bottom 18, slightly concave upward, a peripheral wall 20 integral with the periphery of the bottom 18 and extending vertically upward therefrom, and an open top portion 22 defined by a portion 24 of the upper flange enlarged outwards. The peripheral wall 20 of the receptacle has the circular cross section of the same constant or slightly tapered outwardly upward from the vertical height thereof for vertical sliding handling of the carrier 14 within the interior of the receptacle as will be described subsequently. The peripheral wall 20, approximately at the three equally spaced points, is provided with inwardly formed portions defining three internal ribs 26 extending vertically from the bottom 18 to approximately half the height of the receptacle 12. These vertical ribs 26 have uniform constant cross-sections through its height, preferably arched as illustrated, and ending at the upper ends thereof at the flat shoulders 30 extending into the receptacle with a slight downward inclination. These ribs function as guides for the vertical movement of the internal carrier 14, the shoulders 30 function as supports for the carrier when it is raised to approximately half the height of the receptacle. Immediately above each rib 26, and from the external vertical depression corresponding to the shape thereof, the wall 20 of the receptacle includes a vertically elongated transparent observation window or panel extending approximately to half the remaining height of the receptacle 12. Note in particular Figures 1 and 4, the wall 20 of the receptacle, approximately peripheral and at an equal height of the panels 32, is provided with a series of separate vertical bars 34 with a different, transparent presentation surface or the like, providing a distinctive presentation. The peripheral wall 20 immediately around the level of the panels 32 has a uniform band, the outer surface of which is slightly offset outwards, as in 36, the band also having a distinctive, for example slightly matt, surface appearance. The carrier 14 is cylindrical and configured for closed reception within the receptacle while it is vertically slidable freely relative thereto. The carrier 14 includes a lower support tray 38 of convex configuration generally downward, which, in particular, see Figure 2, sits on the bottom 18 of the receptacle 12 with an annular space 40 for accommodating the fluid defined therebetween in the outer peripheries according to the greater curvature of the tray 38 relative to the bottom 18 of the receptacle. The carrier further includes an essentially cylindrical peripheral wall 42 integral with the periphery of the tray 38 and extending upward thereof to define a chamber that opens upwardly. The combined height of the wall 42 and the tray 38 is approximately half the height of the receptacle 12. The wall 42 of the peripheral carrier includes three depressions 44 directly outwardly., vertically separated, equally defined in it. The depression is configured to conform to, and slidably receive the ribs 26 from the wall of the receptacle and thus, in the illustrated embodiment, are arcuate in cross section. Each of the depressions 44 extends upwardly through the peripheral edge portion of the bottom tray 38 over the entire height of the peripheral wall 42 other than the panel 46 of the upper part which lies flat down slightly and sloping towards inside to form the upper shoulder 30 of a rib 26 of the wall of the receptacle. As will be appreciated in the drawings, the depressions 44 in the peripheral wall 42 correspondingly form the arcuate ribs directed inwardly. This is preferred to actually form the depressions as depressions within a thicker wall, which may need to use additional material beyond what is necessary to provide the desired stability to accommodate the food. The carrier 14, in the fully received position or in its innermost part, together with the depression 44 of the carrier aligned with the ribs 26 of the receptacle, settle on the bottom 18 of the receptacle with the upper depression of the panels 46 settling thereon. upper shoulders 30 of the ribs 26 of the receptacle. Subsequently, articles easily accessible from the upper portion of the container are separated, the carrier is raised vertically to a dispensing position immediately above the ribs 26 of the receptacle. In order to retain the carrier at this height, the carrier is rotated slightly to rotationally move the depression 44 out of alignment with the ribs 26 whereby the portions of the peripheral edge of the carrier bottom 38, circumferentially out of the depressions 44, will rest. on the inclined upper shoulders of the ribs 26, the inclination of the bottom 38 of the carrier forms the inclination of the shoulders 30 formed with the ribs. The vertical movement of the carrier 14, as well as the rotational manipulation thereof, is achieved using a handle 48 similar to a rod. The lower end of the rod 48 includes an integral base 50 similar to an overlying dome a central opening 52 of essentially equal size at the bottom 38 of the carrier 14. The base 50 is spaced up from the bottom 38 and is integrally formed therewith. through radially extending bridge portions 54. As will be better seen from the inside view of Figure 10, the bridge portions, after the configuration of the dome of the base 50, extend beyond the circular opening 52 in the bottom 38 and integrally join the bottom 38 radially towards outside of it. The circular aperture 52 is in turn provided with radial open branches 56, underlying each bridge portion 54. Formed in this manner, the base 50 can be considered to be formed upward from the central portion of the carrier bottom 38 and retained integrally thereto through the outer edges of the bridge portions 54, thereby providing drainage openings peripherally around the outer edges of the base 50, including only the edges of the opposite side of each bridge portion 54. Placed in this manner, and communicating with an open chamber that accommodates the fluid immediately below the raised base 50, the fluid within the carrier, by lifting the carrier, will flow freely through the bottom of the carrier and into the space that is progressively increases between the carrier moving upward and the bottom of the receptacle. The similar drainage openings 58 are provided through the bottom 38 of the carrier at the base of each depression 44, or more particularly the radially upward, vertically directed rib or projection formed by defining the depression. Each opening 58 follows the arc of the depression and, placed on the outer periphery of the bottom 38 of the carrier, also allows the liquid to drain to the annular space 40 at the periphery of the bottom 38 of the carrier and to the bottom 48 of the receptacle. It is important that the drainage openings be elongate, relatively narrow, and in the lower end portions relatively protected from the depressions forming the projections and the base of the handle, thus preventing any possibility of foodstuffs being stuck in the container. same or that move through it. Similarly, according to the inclined portions immediately adjacent to the various drainage openings, they do not tend to obstruct these depressions so that the desired drainage could be prevented. The handle 48 of the rod, integral with the base 50, is hollow and tapering slightly upward from the base 50 towards the open upper end 60 of the handle placed at a height generally coextensive with the rim 34 of the receptacle widened outwardly when the holder 14 It sits completely inside the receptacle. The upper section of the handle 48, in the diametrically opposite positions, is provided with a pair of depressions 62 that receive the fingers of a user for manipulation without slipping of the handle, and therefore of the carrier. It will be appreciated that the holding depressions 62 are positioned for easy access thereto even without the receptacle being full. It will also be recognized that the use of a single central handle, in the form of a vertical shank, allows free access to the interior of the container completely around it, as compared to a split handle whose both accesses are restricted both from the side of the container as well as the upper part of the container. The handle 48 is complemented by a pair of vertical grooves 64 diametrically opposed to one another and spaced 90s from the depressions 62. Separation of the food product, usually from difficult or relatively small individual pieces, from the pickles and the like , usually it is facilitated by means of a fork or toothpick. The container 10 of the invention includes a dispensing implement 66 which is stored separately within the hollow handle 48 in a cooperative manner. The implement 66, which can be considered a two-tooth fork, includes a vertically elongated semicircular body 68 of cross section with transversely opposed planar elongate edges 70 terminating in a pair of tapered pendent teeth 72 having opposite attachment lugs 74 directed inwardly. . The vertically elongate body 68 is bevelled pointed upwards, as in 76, with the lower ends of the edges 70 defining an opening 78 between the lower portions of the edges 70 which in turn form the teeth 72. It is contemplated that the teeth 72 have enough stiffness to properly "pierce" the food product to remove it. Similarly, the teeth may have a slight degree of elastic flexibility to provide a holding action. The upper portion of the implement 66 includes a top cover 84 and is provided with a pair of laterally projecting coplanar projections 80 which are generally in the plane of the front vertical edges 70 and are joined by a diametrically extending intermediate portion 86. through the cover 84. The projections include outer edges 82 with a configuration similar to a sinuous depression and alternating extensions for ease of attachment. The diameter of the fork implement 66, in the plane of the longitudinal edges 70 thereof, is such that it allows the implement to be close although slidably received inside the handle 48 through the open upper end 60 thereof. The projections 80, in turn, are received within the grooves 64 of the opposite handle that is deep enough to receive the projections 80 essentially completely therein with the top cover 84 of the implement body 68 aligned with and close to the end. 60 upper of the handle 48. Once they have received completely inside the grooves 64 opposite, the implement projections 80 can actually be used as an aid to rotate the carrier to and from its dispensing position on the ribs 26 of the receptacle. As the implement is to be received closely within the handle 48, the wall is icylindrical of the body 68, along the rear surface thereof opposite the plane of the leading edges 70, is provided with a high flat portion 88 essentially in all its height, forming a smaller space between the implement and the inner surface of the handle 48 to avoid any tendency of the implement 68 to get stuck inside the handle 48. As will be appreciated from Figures 1 and 2, the nested implement has the upper end generally aligned with or only very slightly above the upper edge of the receptacle 12. As such, there is no interference in the mounting of the removable lid on the receptacle.

Although said lid has not been illustrated, a lid for the container could preferably be shaped to the shape of the lid as referred to above in the Decoster patent 5,082,135. As will be recognized, the range of provisions that can be accommodated in the container 10 is limited only by size, and may vary, for example, from pickled cucumbers or olives, to cherries or slices of food in a suitable syrup. The container components, that is, the receptacle, the carrier and the fork attachment, are completely separable for cleaning purposes, and the receptacle itself is attractive in appearance to complement the dishes for use as a service plate. The foregoing is considered illustrative of the principles of the invention. Some variations and modifications within the parameters of the invention, may occur to those skilled in the art, this is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and so that the described is specifically employed.

Claims (18)

1. A combined container for distributing and storing food, said container comprises a receptacle including a vertically extending peripheral wall, a closed bottom and an open top, said bottom and peripheral wall defining an inner receptacle, a vertically slidable carrier insert within the receptacle. cited internal receptacle between a storage position adjacent said bottom of the receptacle and a vertically separated distribution position on said bottom of the receptacle, said carrier includes a bottom, a peripheral wall fixed to said bottom of the holder and extending upwards from the same and defining an upwardly open chamber, and a handle attached to, and extending vertically from, the said bottom of the carrier, and protruding means on said receptacle wall directed upwardly into said receptacle and in a vertically separated on said bottom of the recepta b) to selectively receive said bottom of the carrier therein and support said carrier in said vertically separated storage position on said bottom of the receptacle.

The container of claim 1, including guide means on said receptacle and the carrier for stabilizing and guiding said carrier during the movement of said carrier of said bottom of the receptacle to said storage position, said carrier, on said lifting means are rotatable in relation to said receptacle for the support coupling of said carrier bottom on said lifting means.

The container of claim 2, wherein said guiding means comprises a plurality of ribs extending vertically on said wall of the receptacle projecting towards the interior of said receptacle, said wall of the carrier having depressions therein that they receive said ribs and provide guided sliding movement between said carrier and said receptacle along said vertical extension ribs, said received depression ribs prevent the rotation of said carrier relative to said receptacle.

The container of claim 3, wherein said ribs terminate at the upper ends defining said shoulder means, said bottom of the carrier for each side of each of said depressions, extending radially beyond said depression and engageable on said bumper means for the rotation of said carrier on said bumper means.

The container of claim 4, wherein said handle is centrally fixed to said bottom of the carrier and extends upwardly thereof beyond said carrier wall centrally therein, said handle terminates at an upper portion with the externally held manually, and drainage openings through said bottom of the carrier centrally around said handle.

The container of claim 5, wherein said handle includes an upwardly vaulted base, said drainage openings being defined below said vaulted base with said vaulted base rigidly coupled with said bottom of the receptacle radially outwardly of said said base. drainage openings by a plurality of radially extending bridge portions on said base which retain a central portion of said base on said bottom of the receptacle.

The container of claim 6, further including drainage openings peripherally around said bottom of the carrier and radially aligned immediately inwardly of said depressions.

The container of claim 7, wherein said bottom of the receptacle is convex upwardly and said bottom of the holder is convexly downward whereby an annular space is defined between said bottoms with said carrier in its stored position.

9. The container of claim 5, wherein said handle is hollow and opens upwards through an open upper end, and an implement for collecting food received vertically inside said handle through said open upper end thereof and detachably retained therein.

The container of claim 9, wherein said handle, in the upper portion thereof, includes diametrically opposed vertical grooves extending downwardly of said open upper end, said implement having an upper end portion with flat projections in general diametrically opposed slidable that are received inside said grooves for a fixed placement of said implement within said handle.

The container of claim 10, wherein said implement includes a lower end portion and has a semicircular cross section constant for at least a greater portion of the height thereof from said lower end portion of said portion. of upper end thereof, said lower end portion being bevelled and defining a pair of longitudinally extending clamping teeth.

The container of claim 10, wherein the exterior of said upper portion of said handle is manually held, at the opposite points circumferentially removed from said grooves, include depressions to accommodate the fingers to facilitate manipulation of the aforesaid handle and said carrier.

The container of claim 4, wherein said wall of the receptacle includes a transparent window therein vertically on each of said ribs.

The container of claim 1, wherein said handle is hollow, terminating at an open upper end, and a food holding utensil slidable and removably received within a storage position on said handle through said open upper end. .

The container of claim 14, wherein said handle, adjacent said open top end, includes a pair of slots defined vertically therein and open upward, said utensil includes a pair of laterally extending projections that are received vertically within said grooves for a fixed position and cooperative retention of said utensil in said handle.

16. A container for distributing and storing food comprising a receptacle including a vertically extending peripheral wall, a closed bottom and an open top, said peripheral wall and said bottom define the interior of the receptacle, a carrier vertically slidable within said receptacle inner receptacle between a storage position adjacent to said bottom of the receptacle and a vertically spaced dispensing position of said bottom of the receptacle, said carrier includes a bottom and a handle centrally attached to said bottom of the carrier and extending vertically therefrom, said handle is hollow and includes an open upper end, and an implement for coupling and lifting the food inside the receptacle, said implement being slidably received inside said hollow handle through the open upper end thereof, and means on said handle and the aforementioned implement for to limit the relative limiting movement between them when said implement is received within said handle. The container of claim 16, wherein said means comprises a pair of spaced apart slots in said handle extending downwardly of said open end thereof, said implement includes an upper portion with projections extending laterally therein received. inside said grooves and extending laterally beyond said handle whereby relative rotation between said implement and said handle is avoided. The container of claim 17, wherein said implement includes a lower end portion with longitudinally extending teeth defined therebetween, said implement, upwardly of said teeth, having an essentially semicircular cross section.