WO2012015316A1

WO2012015316A1 - Container assemblies

Info

Publication number: WO2012015316A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2011/000136
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brendan Jon Lindsay; James Richard Manley
Original assignee: Sistema Plastics Limited
Priority date: 2010-07-29
Filing date: 2011-07-15
Publication date: 2012-02-02
Also published as: AR082406A1

Abstract

A container assembly suitable for foodstuffs comprising or including a freestanding open top container or container assembly, a retrievable tray nestable at least in part within the open top container, and supported in the nested condition to define an at least substantially tray closed lower chamber within the open top container, a lid, or lid and seal assembly, ("lid") able to seal closed the open top container to define a second at least substantially closed upper chamber above the tray or part thereof, and at least one utensil, or components of at least one utensil, carried within the closed assembly (preferably by the underside of the lid in the upper chamber); wherein the lid and container having complementary latch engagement features able to hold the lid in a sealing relationship wherein in use, a foodstuff (eg. salad, cereal, porridge, muesli, baby food, or the like) in the lower chamber is or can be kept by the tray within the lower compartment separate from some complementary or other foodstuff or condiment (eg. milk, sauce or a dressing in a tray supported closed container in the upper chamber and/or yoghurt, vegetables, fruits or the like of the upper chamber.

Description

CONTAINER ASSEMBLIES

The present invention relates to container assemblies, their use and their componentry. More particularly, but not solely, the invention is a carrier or container assembly for foodstuffs, a foodstuff container assembly, and components subassemblies and assemblies suitable for the aforementioned food container assembly or carrier assembly for foodstuffs.

The present invention recognises a benefit can arise when keeping separate components of a meal or separate foodstuff items. This can relate to longevity, crispness, sogginess, options, appearance, or the like outcomes. Or, in the case of children, fun in sequencing when eating or mixing prior to eating.

By way of example there is advantage in keeping some condiments (eg. a salad dressing or the like) separate from a salad. It may be appropriate to keep breadcrumbs, grated cheese, liquids, spreads, or other complements of a meal separate from a salad, pasta or bread.

There are many combinations of foodstuff where there is advantage in keeping such separation but also keeping the condition of each such component pristine.

The present invention recognises the prospect whether for pasta, salad or other type meal bases of providing an open top container adapted to define a lower chamber for some edible content and to keep it separate from another edible component that can be kept on a tray above the tray closed first chamber and within a chamber defined at least in part by the tray closed by a lid that holds the whole assembly in an at least substantially sealed condition and as an assembly able to remain assembled in normal usage.

By way of example the present invention envisages as advantageous the provision of a tray of a single area, or multiple areas, able to be uplifted from an at least partly received or nested condition from a freestanding open top container thereby to allow access to both or to facilitate the mixing of both.

The invention also or alternatively sees as advantageous the provision of a lower chamber loaded with edible content not deleterious to the use of utensils or components of utensils that may also be stored in that same compartment, preferably supported, yet being detachable, from the underside of the tray.

The present invention in some aspects envisages the provision of an openable container of an edible component of a meal (eg. a sauce, a dressing or the like) located on the tray in the aforementioned contemplated combinations yet being removed to allow its selective application when open to an edible content of the open top container, an edible content of one or more of the areas of the tray or any combination of the aforementioned. Examples will be described hereinafter. The present invention therefore relates to such apparatus irrespective whether or not involving the edible components.

In an aspect the invention is a carrier assembly for foodstuffs, the assembly comprising or including

an open top container,

a tray at least partly nestable into the container,

a lid or lid assembly for the open top container over the tray and ktchable to and/or from the container by ktches carried by one or other, or both, the lid and/or the open top container, and

at least one utensil, or its components, carried by die lid or lid assembly under the lid or lid assembly.

Optionally said open top container and said lid or lid assembly are ktchable to each other by reliance upon plural ktching members of the lid or lid assembly being deployed from an unktched condition to a ktched condition onto the outside of the open top container.

Optionally said open top container and said lid or lid assembly are ktchable to each other by reliance upon plural ktching members of die container being deployed from an unlatched condition to a ktched condition onto the outside of the lid or lid assembly.

Preferably a lidded container is present in the compartment defined between the lid or lid assembly and the tray.

Preferably the tray defines a location for said lidded container.

Preferably the tray includes at least one partition to define more dian one cavity of the tray.

Preferably the lid or lid assembly carries a seal to be interposed between the lid or lid assembly and the open top container.

In another aspect the invention is a container assembly suitable for foodstuffs comprising or including

a freestanding open top container or container assembly ("open to container"), a retrievable tray nestable at least in part within the open top container, and supported in the nested condition to define an at least substantially tray closed lower chamber ("lower chamber") within the open top container,

a lid or lid and seal assembly ("lid") able to seal closed the open top container to define a second at least substantially closed chamber ("upper chamber") above the tray or part thereof, and

at least one utensil, or components of at least one utensil, carried by the underside of the lid in the upper chamber; wherein the lid and container having complementary latch engagement features able to hold the lid in a sealing relationship

wherein in use, a foodstuff (eg. cereal, porridge, muesli, baby food, or the like) in the lower chamber is or can be kept by the tray within the lower compartment separate from some complementary or other foodstuff or condiment (eg. milk, yoghurt, fruit or the like) of the upper chamber.

Preferably a seal (eg. of an elastomer), as part of the lid assembly is interposed or interposable to assist sealing between the lid portion proper of the lid assembly and the open top container.

Preferably said tray has a peripheral profile and the open top container has an internal profile whereby there is a peripheral shoulder to shoulder engagement to support the tray above the base of the open top container.

Preferably the tray periphery has a wall like perimeter the upper extent of which contacts or nearly contacts the Ed and/ or seal so as to at least substantially close the upper chamber.

Preferably the tray defines with an upstanding profile a location for a lidded container and such a lidded container forms part of the assembly.

Preferably said tray has an upstanding profile that partitions the tray into at least two different storage regions.

Preferably the at least one utensil, or components of at least one utensil, carried by the underside of the lid in the upper chamber includes a handle or handles for or of one or more of a knife blade, a fork head or spoon head engageable with such a handle or handles.

Preferably moulded projections from the underside of the lid provides supports and a click fit engagement for each utensil or component of a utensil.

The invention in another aspect relates to a carrier assembly for foodstuffs, the assembly comprising or including

an open top container,

a tray at least partiy nestable into the container,

a lid or lid assembly ("lid") for the open top container over the tray and latchable to and/ or from the container, and

at least one utensil, or its components, carried by the tray and/ or lid under the tray and/ or lid.

Optionally said open top container and said lid are latchable to each other by reliance upon plural latching members of the lid or lid assembly being deployed from an unlatched condition to a latched condition onto the outside of the open top container. Or said open top container and said lid are latchable to each other by reliance upon plural latching members of the container being deployed from an unlatched condition to a latched condition onto the outside of the lid or lid assembly.

Optionally said open top container is substantially circular in horizontal section at or about its top. Or said open top container is substantially rectangular or square, or some variation thereof which truncates by curving or otherwise the corners, in horizontal section.

Preferably the latches are each moulded separately from the lid portion proper of the lid assembly and are each engaged to a mounting of that lid portion that allows articulation between the latching and unlatching conditions.

Preferably there is provided a sealing member, as part of the lid assembly, interposable to assist sealing between the lid portion proper of the lid assembly and the open top container.

Preferably said tray has a periphery over most of its depth that substantially corresponds to the inner periphery of the open top container over the depth into which it is to at least partiy nest.

Preferably said tray includes upstands adapted to assist retrieval of the tray from its at least pardy nestable condition in the open top container.

Optionally the tray has downward protuberances, or the lid or lid assembly has downward protuberances, with which die at least one utensil, or its and/or their components, engage and are thus carried.

Preferably or optionally at least one utensil, or its and/or their components, is a spoon or fork, or both.

Preferably the tray and open top container when in their at least in part nested interrelationship seat shoulder to shoulder.

The invention is also a carrier assembly of the present invention when containing edible contents.

The present invention in another aspect relates to a foodstuff container assembly comprising or including

a freestanding open top container or container assembly ("open top container"), a retrievable tray nestable at least in part (and preferably at least substantially wholly) within the open mouthed container, and supported in the nested condition to define an at least substantially tray closed lower chamber within the open top container,

a lid or lid and seal assembly ("lid") able to seal dosed the open top container to define a second at least substantially closed chamber above the tray or part thereof ("upper chamber"), the lid and container having complementary latch engagement features, and

a utensil, or components of a utensil, carried by, the tray within said lower chamber and/or underside of the lid; wherein in use, a foodstuff (eg. cereal, porridge, muesli, baby food, or the like) in the lower chamber is or can be kept by the tray within the lower compartment separate from some complementary or other foodstuff or condiment (eg. milk, yoghurt, fruit or the like) of the upper chamber.

Optionally said open top container and said lid assembly are latchable to each other by reliance upon plural latching members of the lid assembly being deployed from an unlatched condition to a latched condition onto the outside of the open top container or said open top container and said lid assembly are latchable to each other by reliance upon plural ktching members of the container being deployed from an unlatched condition to a latched condition onto the outside of the lid assembly.

Optionally said open top container is substantially circular in horizontal section at or about its top or said open top container is substantially rectangular or square, or some variation thereof which truncates by curving or otherwise the corners, in horizontal section.

Preferably said tray has a periphery over most of its depth that substantially corresponds to the inner periphery of the open top container over the depth into which it is to at least pardy nest.

Optionally the tray has downward protuberances with which the at least one utensil, or its and/or their components, engage and are thus carried.

Optionally (whether in addition to the tray or not) the lid has downward protuberance with which the at least one utensil, or its and/ or their components, engage, and are thus carried.

Preferably or optionally the at least one utensil, or its components, is any one or more of a spoon, a fork, a knife and chopsticks, or any combination thereof.

Preferably the tray carries a closeable container.

Preferably the tray has a location (eg. a pocket) defined for said tray carried closeable container ie. is a "pocketed tray".

Preferably the tray defines at least two distinct carrying areas (eg. either side of the pocket). Preferably the lid assembly holds the tray carried closeable container at least substantially against the tray ie. within its pocket.

Preferably the closeable container of the tray is provided with a removable and replaceable or a hinged lid.

The invention also is a foodstuff container assembly of the present invention when containing edible contents.

The invention is also a carrier assembly or foodstuff container substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

The invention is also a tray or lid having provision for carrying at least one utensil, or its components, said tray being of or for the carrier assembly of the present invention or a foodstuff container assembly of the present invention and/or forming part of a carrier assembly or being substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

The invention is also any component or combination of components (eg. pocketed tray and a pocketed closeable container) substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

The invention is also a lunch box or similar being apparatus as previously defined.

As used herein the term "(s)" following a noun means one or both of the singular or plural forms.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or". In some circumstances it can mean both.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Three preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawings in which

Figures 1 to 6 and 16 show one preferred form,

Figures 7 to 15 and 17 show a second preferred form,

Figures 8 to show an alternate lid, seal, four latch, and utensil assembly able to be used with the base and tray of the Figure 1 to 6 and 17 embodiment, whether with utensil(s) under the tray or not;

Figure 1 shows a plan view of the first embodiment in its closed assembled condition, Figure 2 shows a front view from any of the sides substantially as shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a bottom view of the closed container assembly of Figures 1 and 2,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figures 1 to 3,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figures 1 to 4 when shown exploded from below, the exploded drawing showing a lid proper carrying four articulable latches that can be separately latched, showing a seal attachable to the lid to form part of the lid assembly, an exploded closeable container nestable within a pocket of the tray, the tray carrying below (in a clip fit manner) components of two utensils (eg. a knife and fork) and the main container,

Figure 6 is a similar view to diat of Figure 5 but from above showing the same sequence, this time showing the pocket optionally located centrally or substantially centrally of the tray and in the path of a partitioning arrangement to divide, on either side of the pocket, the tray into two tray regions,

Figure 7 shows a top view of a closed assembly of a second embodiment,

Figure 8 shows the arrangement of Figure 7 from below,

Figure 9 is an elevational view in the direction A with respect of Figure 7,

Figure 10 is an elevational view of the arrangement in the direction B shown in Figure 7,

Figure 11 is a view C in elevation with respect of Figure 7,

Figure 12 is an elevational view in direction D with respect of Figure 7,

Figure 13 is a perspective view from above of the arrangement of Figures 7 to 12,

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the exploded components showing in sequence from above the lid proper and three latches hingedly attached thereto, an annular seal attachable into the lid portion proper of the lid assembly, the tray upliftable out of the container and the container,

Figure 15 shows the same arrangement of Figure 1 but from below this time showing with respect to the tray its carriage of components of an implement, in this instance two components handle and head of a spoon clip fit engaged and carried by the upliftable tray,

Figure 16 is a part sectional view in elevation of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6 partly exploded,

Figure 17, sknilarly to Figure 16 shows the embodiment of Figure 7 to 15,

Figure 18 shows a lid and four latch assembly as shown in Figures 1 to 6 and 16 but additionally showing protuberances downwardly of the lid body itself and showing components of a knife and fork (a fork head, a fork handle, a knife head, a knife handle) clamped under the lid,

Figure 19 is another perspective view of the arrangement of Figure 18,

Figure 20 is a view from below of the lid, latch, seal and utensil component assembly of Figures 18 and 19, Figure 21 shows a container assembly for foodstuffs or a carrier assembly for foodstuffs embodying a lid assembly as shown in Figures 18 to 20,

Figure 22 is a side elevational view of the assembly of Figure 21,

Figure 23 is a bottom view of the assembly of Figures 21 and 22,

Figure 24 is an exploded isometric view from above of the content componentry of the assembly of Figures 24 to 23, and

Figure 25 is an exploded view from below in isometric of the components of the container assembly of Figures 1 to 23.

The components of any under tray utensil support variant of the present invention are preferably made from materials having appropriate food safety and performance characteristics. Any suitable moulded materials can be used for the various components but preferably all are of a suitable plastics material. Most preferably the lids and containers are of polypropylene and the latches are of high impact styrene.

A lid assembly showing for the second embodiment ie. that of Figure 7 to 15 and 17 is preferably identical to that disclosed in our PCT/NZ2005/000209 (published as

WO2006/065151) the full content of which is here included by way of cross reference.

The latching mechanisms are such that each clip 1 journals down into an upwardly opened outstand 2 of the lid proper 3 and which allows it to be uplifted until such time as there is abutment against the upstanding region 4.

In other forms of the present invention a non- fabricated hinging arrangement can be provided from the lid (see for example the latches of our hinged lid of WO2009/028960) Alternatively a fabricated or non-fabricated hinging arrangement can be provided for latches upwardly of the container itself (see for example our WO2006/019314).

What is important is the ability whereby when associated together the lid assemblies and the container can be latched in a closed condition.

Less important, because of the lesser peripheral curvature, becomes an upstand 4 in an arrangement as shown in Figures 1 to 6 for its clip members 5 of its lid proper 6.

In the different embodiments there can be seen, by reference to the drawings, that the lid assembly 7 has four latches 5, the lid proper 6 and also includes the peripheral seal 8, preferably with a cross-sectional section as shown in Figure 16.

Figure 5 shows from below the container 9 into which the tray 10, which carries clip fitted below a handle 11 for each of a fork head 12 and a knife head 13. Preferably such utensils can vary. Preferred forms of those disclosed in our New Zealand Registered Design 412600. As can be seen, preferably the bottom side of the tray 10 accords to the bottom 14 of the cylindrical pocket 15 into which a closeable container 16 can be positioned. The closeable container 16 has a lid 17 able to be press fitted or screw fitted.

Preferably this engagement of the lid 17 from the container 16 is prevented from opening and the dislodgement from the pocket is prevented by the overlying lid 6 when the whole container assembly is in its closed condition.

As can be seen, the tray 10 splits into two separate tray regions 18.

As shown in Figure 16 the tray 10 nests pardy down into the container 1 such that its peripheral rib or flange 20 rests on a shoulder 21 of the base. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate from Figure 16 and the other drawings of that embodiment how the arrangement works.

The embodiment of Figures 7 to 15 and 17 has an annular seal 21 received as shown in Figure 17. Indeed, like the other embodiment, the seal (eg. of a silicone rubber or other flexible plastics material) is captured as a press fit into a downwardly directed peripheral channel of the lid.

Shown in the drawings is the preferred tray form 22 and container form 23. The tray form 22 shows preferably two upstands 24 that will make retrieval of the tray easy from within its nested or partly nested condition in the container 33.

Carried below the tray 22 is the handle 25 and spoon head 26 of a utensil clip fit engaged and carried by the downwardly shown projections of the tray 22.

The tray has a peripheral flange or lip 28 adapted to sit as shown in Figure 17 on the peripheral shoulder 27 of the container.

Figures 18 to 20 show how, with litde extra in the way of intrusion into the storage spaces, provision can be made for the clamp fitting of a utensil or utensils, or components thereof, below the lid.

In Figures 18 to 20, irrespectively of whether or not there can also be carriage of a utensil or utensil components or components of plural utensils below the tray as in the first

embodiment, the lid can be used as shown or described, or both, as in the assembly of the first embodiment.

There is the prospect therefore of carrying all utensils to be contained with the lid, all utensils to be contained underneath the tray, or some tnixing of both.

In some preferred forms of the present invention the tray will have no provision for supporting utensils or utensil components.

The embodiment of Figures 18 to 20 is adapted to seal close over a base 1 , a tray 10, and preferably also a closed container 16/17, or any variation thereof. The arrangement is substantially as in Figure 16 save for the fact that utensils are supported below a modification of the lid assembly shown exploded in the separate subassembly in Figure 16.

In Figure 20, can be seen latches 35 as previously described, a lid body 36 to which each of the latches 35 is articulated to engage with the underside of a complementary feature of the base (eg. a shoulder). There is also a seal member 37 similar to that shown as 8 in Figure 16.

The downward protuberances 38 of the lid (there are two sets) are each adapted to clip or click support a handle 39. Similarly features 40 and 41 are adapted to clip or click fit support a fork head 42. Similarly protuberant features 43 and 44 are adapted to clip or click fit a knife head 45.

As previously stated the protuberant members shown under the tray can remain or not remain and there can be some mixing of support of utensils between the underside of a tray and the underside of the lid. In other embodiments there can be no provision of support under the tray for a utensil or component thereof ie. all is to be supported under die lid.

Other options occur for other support options within the closed container for utensils or utensil components.

The preferred embodiment of Figure 18 onwards, has a lid assembly as shown in Figure 20 but, as with the other embodiments, has nested or nestable in the open top container 46 a retrievable tray 47 which is shoulder to shoulder peripherally supported from the open top container.

Preferably there is provision whereby a peripheral internal shoulder 55 can support a mating peripheral shoulder 56 of the tray 57. These shoulders are preferably continuous and preferably are fully peripheral. They can be ribs or a steps in the walls involved.

Within the container 46, there a partition 47 and a location 48 for a lid 49 closeable container 50 able to locate on the tray below the lid assembly. The integrity of the closure of the lidded container 50/ 49 is ensured by die lid 49 not being able to clear the container 50 when within the upper chamber (i.e. the lid 36 and tray 57 confine it to a closed condition).

Shown as 51 is an elastomeric seal to be carried by the lid assembly of the lid 52 proper and preferably the four separately moulder but articatably engaged latches 53. Together the components 51, 52 and 53 are to provide a lid assembly 54.

The retrievable tray 57 may or may not include upstands as an addition to the form of tray shown in the exploded views to better assist retrieval of the tray from within the open top container 46.

In use a child or adult has several options on how to approach eating using the assembly when it contains edible content. By way of example the embodiment of Figures 7 to 15 and 17 can have a breakfast cereal, porridge, muesli in the bottom chamber 30 and milk, yoghurt or fruits in the upper chamber 29.

By way of example the second other embodiment can have a salad or pasta in chamber

31, a dressing in closed container defined chamber 32, and different materials in chambers 33

(and 34 not shown) over each of tray regions 18.

By way of the example, the third embodiment can have salad in container 46 below the tray 57, dry items such as tomatoes, carrots, celery, in the two storage regions and a salad dressing in the tray located lidded container (49/50).

Claims

Claims 1. A carrier assembly for foodstuffs, the assembly comprising or including

an open top container,

a tray at least partly nestable into the container,

a lid or lid assembly for the open top container over the tray and latchable to and/or from the container by latches carried by one or other, or both, the lid and/or the open top container, and

at least one utensil, or its components, carried by the lid or lid assembly under the lid or lid assembly.

2. An assembly of claim 1 wherein said open top container and said lid or lid assembly are latchable to each other by reliance upon plural latching members of the lid or lid assembly being deployed from an unlatched condition to a latched condition onto the outside of the open top container.

3. An assembly of claim 1 wherein said open top container and said lid or lid assembly are latchable to each odier by reliance upon plural latching members of the container being deployed from an unlatched condition to a latched condition onto the outside of the lid or lid assembly.

4. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein a lidded container is present in the compartment defined between the Hd or lid assembly and the tray.

5. An assembly of claim 4 wherein the tray defines a location for said lidded container.

6. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the tray includes at least one partition to define more than one cavity of the tray.

7. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid or lid assembly carries a seal to be interposed between the lid or lid assembly and the open top container.

8. A container assembly suitable for foodstuffs comprising or including

9. An assembly of claim 8 wherein there is a seal interposed or interposable to assist sealing between the lid portion proper of the lid assembly and the open top container.

10. An assembly as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein said tray has a peripheral profile, and the open top container has an internal profile, whereby there is a peripheral shoulder to shoulder engagement to support the tray above the base of the open top container.

11. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the tray periphery has a wall like perimeter the upper extent of which contacts or nearly contacts the lid and/or the seal so as to at least substantially close the upper chamber.

12. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the tray defines with an upstanding profile a location for a lidded container and such a lidded container forms part of the assembly.

13. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein said tray has an upstanding profile that partitions the tray into at least two different storage regions.

14. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 13 wherein the at least one utensil, or components of at least one utensil, carried by the underside of the lid in the upper chamber includes a handle or handles for or of one or more of a knife blade, a fork head or spoon head engageable with such a handle or handles.

15. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14 wherein moulded projections from the underside of the lid provides supports and a click fit engagement for each utensil or component of a utensil.