US20090308870A1

US20090308870A1 - Storage Container with Collapsible Lid and Utensil

Info

Publication number: US20090308870A1
Application number: US12/418,566
Authority: US
Inventors: Dean Chapman; Gareth Brown; Edward Kilduff; Paul Goetz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-15
Filing date: 2009-04-03
Publication date: 2009-12-17
Also published as: US20090307912A1

Abstract

A storage container with collapsible lid and utensil. The present invention consists of a base having a flexible and collapsible silicone lid or hood. This hood or lid allows for easy opening and closing without popping off or unscrewing. This hood or lid also ensures that when closed the food inside is fully covered from spills and splashes. Additionally as the flexible hood or lid remains permanently attached to the base of the container, it cannot be misplaced.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/061,638, entitled “Folding Ladle Utensil”, filed on Jun. 15, 2008.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to kitchen tools. More specifically, the present invention relates to utensils for storing cooking necessities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most utensils for storing cooking necessities like sugar, spices, sprinkles have some short coming when it comes to covering the food inside when not immediately needed for cooking. These utensils, often referred to as “Salt Pigs” are, for example, often open mouthed without a cover making it possible to spill or splash liquids into the opening and spoiling the contents. While some models have a hood to prevent this type of mishap, none of the existing salt pigs have the ability to completely cover their contents.
The other types of containers such as spice jars and larger storage canisters typically have a sealing covered lid that either screws or pops onto the top of the container. This lid solves the problem of covering and protecting the food inside, but it creates a different problem. Now every time you want to use the food inside the container you must remove the lid and keep track of it while you use the food inside the container, so that the container can be resealed after use. This creates a situation where the food stored inside the container is not easily accessible and slows down the cooking or preparation process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the shortcomings in the prior art by having a flexible and collapsible silicone hood. This hood allows for easy opening and closing without popping off or unscrewing a lid. It also ensures that when closed the food inside is fully covered from spills and splashes. Additionally as the flexible hood remains permanently attached to the base of our invention it cannot be misplaced. All of this combines to create a food storage container that is both very accessible for use while cooking but that also fully protects the food making it far superior to the existing products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the storage container with collapsible lid and utensil where the lid is in an uncollapsed, open position;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the storage container with collapsible lid and utensil where the lid is in a collapsed, closed position;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side plan view of the storage container with collapsible lid and utensil where the lid is in an uncollapsed, open position;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side plan view of the storage container with collapsible lid and utensil where the lid is in a collapsed, closed position;

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of the storage container with collapsible lid and utensil where the lid is in an uncollapsed, open position;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan view of the storage container with collapsible lid and utensil where the lid is in an uncollapsed, open position;

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom plan view of the storage container with collapsible lid and utensil where the lid is in an uncollapsed, open position;

FIG. 8 is a first orthogonal view of the utensil of the present invention in a first position where the scoop is in an extended position;

FIG. 9 is a second orthogonal view of the utensil of the present invention in a first position where the scoop is in an extended position;

FIG. 10 is a first perspective view of the utensil of the present invention in a first position where the scoop is in an extended position; and

FIG. 11 is a second perspective view of the utensil of the present invention in a first position where the scoop is in an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent like elements), which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention.
Referring to the figures, it is possible to see the various major elements constituting the apparatus of the present invention. The present invention is storage container 10 with collapsible lid 11 and utensil 12. The present invention consists of a base 13 having a flexible and collapsible silicone lid or hood 11. This hood or lid 11 allows for easy opening and closing without popping off or unscrewing. This hood or lid 11 also ensures that when closed the food inside is fully covered from spills and splashes. Additionally as the flexible hood or lid 11 remains permanently attached to the base 13 of the container 10, it cannot be misplaced.
Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the storage container 10 with a collapsible lid 11 having collapsible and non-collapsible states is comprised of a container body 13 consisting of a continuous side wall 15, a bottom panel 14 enclosing one end of said container body 13, said side wall 15 and said bottom panel 14 together form a container structure having one closed end and one open end. The hood or lid 11 selectively converts said container from an open container to a closed container. The hood or lid 11 is comprised of a bottom wall 16, a top wall 17, and a planar opening 18. Closure means are provided where said top wall 17 of the lid 11 is inwardly foldable toward said bottom wall 16, such that said container 11 is collapsible in a direction normal to said container body 13 and said bottom panel 14 closing the planar opening 18 while being substantially self-supporting while said top wall 17 is in its unfolded orientation. An attachment means for securing said lid 11 to said open end of the container body 13 in a fixed and/or removable manner is also taught where the device is created in two or more pieces. In FIGS. 1-7, the present invention is shown in a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, but it would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to make the invention with a container and/or lid of various shapes known in the container industry, but not limited to those with substantially rectangular cross-sectional shapes.
In another embodiment, the base 13, lid 11, or both is also provided with an attachment means 19 for securing a ladle 20 to the container body 13 or lid 11. The folding ladle's primary function is similar to many other ladles found in the market today, it can be used to scoop a standard size portion of liquid or powered solids from one storage container to another. The flexible scoop 21, like the flexible and closable lid 11, allows the large scooping scoop 21 of the ladle 20 to fold in half for more compact storage. Once folded, the ladle 20 will hold this smaller position indefinitely until it is snapped back to its open position. This is achieved through the special shape of the ladle's scoop 21.
Referring to FIGS. 8-11, the scoop 21 is shaped with a concave top that forms a scooping area 22. This area 22 is shaped such that there is a small pouring spout 23 and 24 at either side. The bottom of the scoop 25 forms a convex surface offset from the inner surface. Along the apex of the convex surface a recessed groove 26 is molded into the scoop 21. This recess 26 thins the scoop material along the scoop's center.
Inside the flexible scoop 21 a piece of strong inflexible material 30 is shaped to support the rear half 27 of the flexible scoop. This support 30 also flows into the handle 28 and acts to connect the handle 28 and scoop 21 forming a functioning tool. The support 30 is molded so that inside the scoop its support extends to just short of the recess 26 in the flexible material.
Because of this support structure 30, when force is applied to the front edge of the flexible scoop 20, pushing the scoop back toward the handle 28, the front half of the scoop 31 will deform, and fold into the supported back half 27. Once the front edge of the scoop moves far enough past the center of the scoop (apex of the concave surface) the recess 26 in its outside face folds over and snaps the front half of the scoop 31 against, and inside the back half 27. Because of the recess 26 shape the scoop will not unfold until an opposite force is applied to move the front edge of the scoop back to its open position. When snapped into the closed position the size of the tool is greatly reduced in size and it fits more easily into drawers for storage or when attached to the storage container 10 of the present invention reduces the shelf space or footprint of the combined device.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, closure means to seal the contents inside and keep them fresh are provided. In this embodiment the top wall 17 of the lid 11 is inwardly foldable toward said bottom wall 16, such that said container 11 is collapsible in a direction normal to said container body 13 and said bottom panel 14 closing the planar opening 18 while being substantially self-supporting while said top wall 17 is in its unfolded orientation as previously disclosed. Additionally, to enable an air tight seal between the top and bottom flaps of the collapsing lid the edges of the top and bottom flaps are provides with means to ensure a sealed intersection. This sealed intersection of the edges functions to seal the contents inside and keep them fresh. Functionally, the sealing means could be similarly to a ZIPLOCK bag, sealing the edges across the opening when the lid is in the closed position.
Furthermore, other areas of art may benefit from this method and adjustments to the design are anticipated. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. A storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible states, said container comprising:

(a) a container body comprising a continuous side wall, a bottom panel enclosing one end of said container body, said side wall and said bottom panel together forming a container structure having one closed end and one open end;

(b) a lid for selectively converting said container to a closed container; and

(c) said lid comprising a bottom wall, a top wall, and a planar opening;

(d) closure means where said top wall of the lid is inwardly foldable toward said bottom wall, such that said container is collapsible in a direction normal to said container body and said bottom panel closing the planar opening while being substantially self-supporting while said top wall is in its unfolded orientation; and

(e) attachment means for securing said lid to said open end of the container body.

2. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible states of claim 1 wherein the lid is attached to the container body.

3. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible states of claim 2 wherein the lid is removably attached to the container body.

4. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible states of claim 1 wherein said closure means is activatable by an externally applied compressive force exerted in a direction substantially parallel to said opening plane.

5. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible state of claim 1 wherein said container structure has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape

6. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible state of claim 1 wherein said container structure has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape

7. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible state of claim 1 further comprising:

(f) attachment means for securing a ladle to the container body.

8. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible state of claim 7 wherein the ladle:

is shaped with a concave top that forms a scooping area;

the bottom of the scoop forms a convex surface offset from the inner surface;

along the apex of the convex surface a recessed groove is molded into the scoop;

said recess thins the scoop material along the scoop's center;

inside the flexible scoop a piece of strong inflexible material 30 shaped to support the rear half of the flexible scoop;

said support also flows into the handle and acts to connect the handle and scoop forming a functioning tool

said support is molded so that inside the scoop its support extends to just short of the recess in the flexible material; and

closure means where when force is applied to the front edge of the flexible scoop, said scoop is pushed back toward the handle, the front half of the scoop will deform and fold into the supported back half of the scoop while being substantially self-supporting while said front half of the scoop is in its unfolded orientation.

9. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible state of claim 8 wherein said scooping area of the ladle is shaped such that there is a small pouring spout at either side.

10. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible state of claim 1 further comprising:

(g) sealing means where an air tight seal between the edges of the top wall and bottom wall of the collapsing lid edges of the top wall and bottom wall are provided with means to ensure a sealed intersection.

11. A storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible states, said container comprising:

(b) a lid for selectively converting said container to a closed container; and

(c) said lid comprising a bottom wall, a top wall, and a planar opening;

(d) said lid formed as one piece with the container body; and

(e) closure means where said top wall of the lid is inwardly foldable toward said bottom wall, such that said container is collapsible in a direction normal to said container body and said bottom panel closing the planar opening while being substantially self-supporting while said top wall is in its unfolded orientation.

12. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible states of claim 11 wherein the lid is attached to the container body.

13. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible states of claim 12 wherein the lid is removably attached to the container body.

14. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible states of claim 11 wherein said closure means is activatable by an externally applied compressive force exerted in a direction substantially parallel to said opening plane.

15. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible state of claim 11 wherein said container structure has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape

16. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible state of claim 11 wherein said container structure has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape

17. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible state of claim 11 further comprising:

(f) attachment means for securing a ladle to the container body.

18. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible state of claim 17 wherein the ladle:

is shaped with a concave top that forms a scooping area;

the bottom of the scoop forms a convex surface offset from the inner surface;

said recess thins the scoop material along the scoop's center;

19. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible state of claim 18 wherein said scooping area of the ladle is shaped such that there is a small pouring spout at either side.

20. The storage container with collapsible lid having collapsible and non-collapsible state of claim 11 further comprising: