US20030042263A1 - Milk drip tray - Google Patents
Milk drip tray Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030042263A1 US20030042263A1 US09/947,165 US94716501A US2003042263A1 US 20030042263 A1 US20030042263 A1 US 20030042263A1 US 94716501 A US94716501 A US 94716501A US 2003042263 A1 US2003042263 A1 US 2003042263A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- milk
- tray
- container
- gallon
- drip tray
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G23/00—Other table equipment
- A47G23/06—Serving trays
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
- B65D1/34—Trays or like shallow containers
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Y02W30/00—Technologies for solid waste management
- Y02W30/50—Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies
- Y02W30/80—Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging
Definitions
- the coaster is a drip tray used underneath drinking glasses.
- Other examples of drip trays also exist. It is possible that some users already place other types of trays under their milk containers to attempt to solve the above problem. We have tried this as well, but have found trays from other applications to not fit correctly, be either too small or too large, the wrong shape, or simply unwieldy and impractical. To our knowledge, the solution proposed below is the first time a tray specifically designed for the plastic one-gallon milk container has been proposed.
- the solution to the problem described above is to develop a milk drip tray specifically for a one-gallon plastic milk container.
- These containers are typically all a similar size and shape, and the milk drip tray is designed to fit nicely under the bottom and around the sides.
- the tray is made from molded thermoplastic material, and is washable and re-usable. It features a molded “lip” or bump running around the periphery, to contain the milk. Strengthening ribs underneath provide the necessary support to support the weight of a full gallon of milk. A short handle or tab from one corner is used to grasp the tray in order to pick it up.
- the tray features rounded corners, and is an attractive and practical solution.
- the user would place the tray in the refrigerator shelf or elsewhere (for example, kitchen counter or table) before setting down the gallon of milk.
- the user picks up the container, dispenses the milk, leaving the tray where it was.
- any drops that are trickling down the outside walls will collect in the tray.
- the tray is washed and re-used.
- FIG. 1 Shaded perspective view of the top of the part
- FIG. 2 Shaded perspective view of the underside of the part
- FIG. 3 Top (plan) view of the part
- FIG. 4 Front (elevation) view of the part
- FIG. 5 Section A-A, as indicated in FIG. 3
- the milk drip tray consists of just one part, the tray, which is injection molded from a quality plastic.
- the body is approximately 63 ⁇ 4 inches square, which is the right size to fit a one-gallon plastic milk container. As indicated in FIG. 4, it is approximately 1 ⁇ 2 inch tall.
- the basic profile is a flat middle area with a raised bump or “lip” around the edges. This keeps the milk inside of the tray.
- a network of strengthening ribs spans the underside of the part. Their purpose is to support the weight of the gallon of milk, and to prevent warp and distortion from the molding process.
- a short handle protrudes from one corner. This allows the tray to be pickup up. The handle has a hole to allow the tray to be hung on a hook for storage.
- a small spherical recess or “dimple” appears in the center of the part. This is a function of the injection molding process; it is a place for the “gate”, which is an injection molding term for the place where the plastic enters the part.
- the finished plastic molded part will have a small protrusion or bump at the gate location. Placing this in a small recess ensures that the resulting protrusion is not higher that the original level of the floor of the tray.
- the tray features smooth rounded corners which are easy to clean, and it is envisioned that the finish of the part would be an attractive polished plastic, which is also easy to clean.
- the outer lip may be textured to make it easier to hold, as well as for aesthetics.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A fitted tray of molded thermoplastic material to place under a one-gallon plastic container of milk is proposed. When milk is poured out from this container, a few drops inevitably drip down the side and collect at the bottom. These accumulate and often go unnoticed until collecting on the kitchen counter or refrigerator shelf, leaving an unsightly and unsanitary condition. The milk drip tray collects the milk and is washable and re-usable.
Description
- Today, the vast majority of milk containers found in grocery stores are of a similar one-gallon plastic variety. They have a round mouth, are bulky, and heavy when full. These factors make it difficult to pour milk from them without dripping or spilling some. When the consumer pours milk from this container, some milk usually drips or runs down the outside wall and collects underneath. Rarely will the user wipe the outside and bottom of the container before replacing it in the refrigerator or setting it down on a table or counter. Recesses and ribs on the underside of the container also make this difficult. The result is an eventual puddle of dried and/or wet milk under the container. It is unsightly and unsanitary, and is especially a problem in the refrigerator where the milk is stored for some time.
- Today's refrigerator shelves are commonly made of glass or wire racks. In the case of glass, milk collects on the glass shelf. To avoid the problem, the user would have to clean the glass shelf after nearly every use, which is not practical. Otherwise, the milk either runs off the shelf and drips onto other items in the refrigerator, or dries into an unsightly pool on the shelf. In the case of wire rack shelves, the milk collects on the wires and also drips onto the items underneath, which may not be as noticeable, but is a greater health risk. It is well known that the risks of food poisoning can be reduced through cleanliness in the kitchen, and the refrigerator is a good place to start. Similar problems occur when the milk container is used and then set onto a kitchen counter or table. The problem is more noticeable in refrigerators because they tend to be cleaned less often.
- Similar problems have been solved for other applications. For example, the coaster is a drip tray used underneath drinking glasses. Other examples of drip trays also exist. It is possible that some users already place other types of trays under their milk containers to attempt to solve the above problem. We have tried this as well, but have found trays from other applications to not fit correctly, be either too small or too large, the wrong shape, or simply unwieldy and impractical. To our knowledge, the solution proposed below is the first time a tray specifically designed for the plastic one-gallon milk container has been proposed.
- The solution to the problem described above is to develop a milk drip tray specifically for a one-gallon plastic milk container. These containers are typically all a similar size and shape, and the milk drip tray is designed to fit nicely under the bottom and around the sides. The tray is made from molded thermoplastic material, and is washable and re-usable. It features a molded “lip” or bump running around the periphery, to contain the milk. Strengthening ribs underneath provide the necessary support to support the weight of a full gallon of milk. A short handle or tab from one corner is used to grasp the tray in order to pick it up. The tray features rounded corners, and is an attractive and practical solution. The user would place the tray in the refrigerator shelf or elsewhere (for example, kitchen counter or table) before setting down the gallon of milk. The user picks up the container, dispenses the milk, leaving the tray where it was. When the user replaces the milk container to the tray, any drops that are trickling down the outside walls will collect in the tray. After a time, for example when the milk container is empty, the tray is washed and re-used.
- FIG. 1: Shaded perspective view of the top of the part
- FIG. 2: Shaded perspective view of the underside of the part
- FIG. 3: Top (plan) view of the part
- FIG. 4: Front (elevation) view of the part
- FIG. 5: Section A-A, as indicated in FIG. 3
- The milk drip tray consists of just one part, the tray, which is injection molded from a quality plastic. As indicated in FIG. 3, the body is approximately 6¾ inches square, which is the right size to fit a one-gallon plastic milk container. As indicated in FIG. 4, it is approximately ½ inch tall. The basic profile is a flat middle area with a raised bump or “lip” around the edges. This keeps the milk inside of the tray. A network of strengthening ribs spans the underside of the part. Their purpose is to support the weight of the gallon of milk, and to prevent warp and distortion from the molding process. A short handle protrudes from one corner. This allows the tray to be pickup up. The handle has a hole to allow the tray to be hung on a hook for storage. A small spherical recess or “dimple” appears in the center of the part. This is a function of the injection molding process; it is a place for the “gate”, which is an injection molding term for the place where the plastic enters the part. The finished plastic molded part will have a small protrusion or bump at the gate location. Placing this in a small recess ensures that the resulting protrusion is not higher that the original level of the floor of the tray. The tray features smooth rounded corners which are easy to clean, and it is envisioned that the finish of the part would be an attractive polished plastic, which is also easy to clean. Optionally, the outer lip may be textured to make it easier to hold, as well as for aesthetics.
Claims (7)
1. A drip tray to collect milk which drips or spills along the outside walls of a milk container.
2. The device in claim 1 is specifically designed to fit and function with the common one-gallon milk container made of plastic.
3. The device in claim 1 is a single piece, made from injection molded thermoplastic.
4. The device in claim 1 is washable and re-useable.
5. The device in claim 1 has an integral raised portion around its periphery to contain the milk that collects in it.
6. The device in claim 1 has supporting ribs on its underside to support the weight of a gallon of milk, as well as to reduce warp and distortion from the injection molding process.
7. The device in claim 1 has a short protruding handle used for picking up the device.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/947,165 US20030042263A1 (en) | 2001-09-06 | 2001-09-06 | Milk drip tray |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/947,165 US20030042263A1 (en) | 2001-09-06 | 2001-09-06 | Milk drip tray |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030042263A1 true US20030042263A1 (en) | 2003-03-06 |
Family
ID=25485638
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/947,165 Abandoned US20030042263A1 (en) | 2001-09-06 | 2001-09-06 | Milk drip tray |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20030042263A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2010172443A (en) * | 2009-01-29 | 2010-08-12 | Takano Create Kk | Pot/pan coaster-cum-tray made of resin |
-
2001
- 2001-09-06 US US09/947,165 patent/US20030042263A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2010172443A (en) * | 2009-01-29 | 2010-08-12 | Takano Create Kk | Pot/pan coaster-cum-tray made of resin |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |